Banchory Vs Ellon
Saturday 28th April

Report by Huw Owen

Ellon Gordon Cricket Club 2nd XI made a flying start to the 2007 season on Saturday, trouncing Stonehaven 2nd XI by 9 wickets at Mineralwell Park.

Visiting captain Ian Duncan won the toss for Ellon and put Stonehaven into bat. The home side made a steady start under some glorious Spring sunshine with openers B Findlay and D Garden finding gaps in the field.

However the clear skies soon gave way to a covering of cloud which allowed Huw Owen to find some swing, accounting for the wicket of Garden lbw. In the same over Sam Barrett took a smart catch to give Owen his second
wicket as A Martin returned to the pavilion without scoring.

Although Barrett went on to claim three catches, perhaps his most important contribution was bagging the wicket of danger man B Findlay, caught by Stuart Langley for 16.

Stonehaven never really got to grips with an impressive bowling display from Ellon. Sam Barrett finished with 3-12 and Huw Owen secured a five-for with a string of unplayable deliveries, before Stuart Langley wrapped up the
innings with two tail-end wickets in quick succession.

Chasing a target of 55 after tea, Ellon were confident of taking the full 30 points back up the road. Despite Langley falling lbw for 1 off the bowling of P Law, fellow opener Duncan looked comfortable during his 24 not out which included a stylish 6 to finish off the game. The other batsman used was Steve Dalton who ended on 12 not out.

Saturday's result sees the Ellon men setting the pace at the top of Grade 4. A Stonehaven side containing many young faces gave a good account of themselves however Ellon will surely face stiffer competition in their
bid for promotion this season.

Stonehaven 2nd XI: 54 all out (B Findlay 16, C Findlay 10; H Owen 5-10, S Barrett 3-12).
Ellon 2nd XI: 60-1 (I Duncan 24no, S Dalton 12no).

Ellon 2nd XI are at home this week, against Dunecht 2nd XI (start time 1.00).