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Ellon Vs St Ronald Report by Ian Duncan In contrasting weather, Ellon’s second eleven cricketers had the run chase stopped due to persistent heavy rain, making an exciting finish fizzle out as a drawn match with each side gaining 15 points each. Earlier in the afternoon, with Ellon captain Ian Duncan winning the toss, he had no hesitation in asking St Ronald in taking first strike in glorious sunny conditions and no wind blowing either. Ellon’s opening bowlers, Huw Owen and Sunni Bhatti both opened their first overs in usual fashion by bowling at least one wide each, in which once again totalled 23 by the end of the 46 over. This amazing amount is putting undue pressure on the batsman to overcome if winning each match is to be a reality and gaining promotion which is the aim of Ian’s side this season. First wicket to fall with the score on 15 was a well taken catch by junior Matthew Dalton off the bowling of Sunni who by now had settled into a good line and length as had his opening colleague, Huw who soon had wicket number two in the bag with Sunni taking a great catch over his head and despite falling backwards holding onto the ball as he fell. Wicket number three soon fell to Huw with Greg Rees holding on to a difficult chance in short covers for Ahmed being out for zero and St Ronald on 26 for 3. This brought hard hitting batsman T Barnett into action and despite missing the third ball of Ian Duncan first over and bouncing clean over the stumps, he soon despatched any lose ball to the boundary, with young Tom Proctor not finding him as easy to bowl at compared to last Saturdays match at Banchory and after three overs was removed off the bowling. He was replaced by Greg Rees and he also found the same treatment on any lose delivery. It was something of a bonus when he was eventually out bowled to Ian when after a considerable delay caused by Mushariff slicing open his hand in stopping one of the hard driven drives which resulted in him being taken to Aberdeen casualty hospital by Ean Mackie and his fielding place taken by Finlay Owen. The delay almost certainly caused a lapse in concentration. If Ian Duncan’s catching was up to the standard of his colleagues, more wickets would have fell before St Ronald declared at the end of the 46th over with the score on 161. The last 10 overs resulted in 57 runs being scored although no blame on young Matthew Dalton who was bowling at the death and he took two wickets in his two overs for only 12 runs conceded. If 23 extras runs had not been conceded, St Ronald would have scored only 138 in the allocated 46 maximum overs. No fault with byes as Steve Dalton kept wicket well. All credit due to Sunni for taking 2 for 12 runs off twelve overs bowled. Huw and Matthew also taking 2 each with Tom and Ian 1 each. Another sharp piece of catching by Tom gave Matthew his first wicket and continuing his good fielding form, which has been evident in the season so far. So tea was taken, compliments of the STATION HOTEL, Ellon new that they required to score at under 4 an over to win the match and after last Saturdays run chase were confident providing Ellon’s senior batsman got going and batted sensible, victory would be achieved. Ellon’s openers on this occasion, Huw Owen and captain Ian Duncan got the match going in light drizzle and darkening skies. Despite these ailments the score was up with the required run rate and St Ronald’s bowlers getting very excited if the ball was not dealt with properly. Three 4’s scored in the first over Ian faced soon had fielders retreating backwards, making singles easier to get in doing so. Nevertheless, Ian was out in the 9th over with the score on 38, was a satisfactory start and also helping to reduce the possible damage by the opening bowlers who by now had slowed down considerably due to a mixture of conditions and fitness! Huw was next out when he was caught behind and the score now on 40. This bought Ellon’s two remaining experienced batsman together and they soon had the score board ticking over at the required rate until the weather took control and after 16 overs in Ellon’s innings the game was abandoned with torrential rain now falling and dark skies still around. A good game which both sides will feel confident of winning when they meet in the Johnston Cup semi final in a few weeks time, also to be played at the Gordon Park. Hopefully summer weather will return by then. This weeks home game is against Mannofield in a Grade IX fixture, when hopefully they will continue their good form shown so far. Scores St Ronald 161 for 9 dec. T Barnett 30 J Scott 28 Ellon Gordon 62 for 2 in 16 overs I Duncan 18
S Dalton 13 not out H Owen 10 |
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