Hadden’s Heroics Humble Bons

A magnificent 5 wicket haul for George Hadden restricted Bon Accord to 112 all out then a solid partnership between Trevor Norval and Fraser Lawrance helped Inverurie reach their total with 5 wickets in hand.  A swashbuckling knock from Rob Swiergon 71* allowed Grammar to chase down an impressive Crescent total of 217 which was built on the back of 59 from Shoaib Tahseen and 48* from Vineet Khanna.  With 86 required in the last 10 overs Grammar knocked it off with 2 overs to spare.  Cults maintained their 100% record with a win over Grampian thanks to 71* from Aqeel Ajazi which enabled them to post 187 for 8 then a 5 for from Abid Ali bowled Grampian out for 99.  Siyapa shocked Knight Riders in the closest game of the day at Groats Road with a narrow 1 wicket win although any further details are unavailable at this point.  Master Blasters had a convincing 78 run victory against Gordonians with new signing Ajay Narne making an immediate impression with 76 runs and number 10 Muhammad Sajid blasted 59*.  Chamila Perera picked up his 2nd 5 for of the season for Gordos.  Herman Chovatiya replied for a 5 for as Gordos were bundled out for 132.  

In Grade 2 Fraserburgh picked up their first win of the season in circumstances they would have preferred to avoid when Stoneywood Dyce were unable to raise a side.  A waterlogged outfield at Methlick meant Mannofield were left kicking their heels rather than getting their whites on.  Ellon overcame 2nd Knightriders with another 50 from Jonathan Barrett backed up with 4 wickets for Brian Veldsman.  Portcullis came out on top in their game against 2nd Grammar.  41* from Lewis Randall then 5 for 12 from the miserly Dave Mitchell did the damage for Portcullis despite 60* from Aman Sood in their 26 run win.   

80 from Peter Cunningham provided the backbone for Crathie’s 180 against 2nd Gordonians then Justin Thomas and Mike Baldry shared 6 wickets as Gordos were bowled out for 153.  2nd Grampian won a low scoring game at Harlaw against Dunecht.  Dunecht were bowled out for 70 then Grampian knocked it off losing 5 wickets in the process.  Banchory defeated Huntly by 30 runs at Castle Park.  Banchory made 158 for 9 in their 40 overs and Huntly only made 128 in reply.  Stonehaven had a comprehensive 55 run victory over 2nd Methlick.  Graham Bonds 41 and Nigel King 34 top scored for Stonehaven in their 178 for 7.  Paul Hay then picked up a 4 for as Methlick were bowled out for 123 despite 40 from Daniel Reeve. 

In the Eastern Premier League, Scottish champions Forfarshire arrived at People’s Park without their Scotland internationals Leask and Wallace. Scott Cameron took 4 for 31 as the home batting crumbled to 122 all out in 27 overs. Lennard Bester made a remarkable undefeated 84 for Stoneywood Dyce whilst the rest of the batsmen could only muster 12 between them. Jamie King took 3 early wickets as Forfs were reduced to 54 for 6, but Forfs showed why they are champions as Messrs Hogarth and James shared a match winning partnership taking their time winning in the 40th over. The Stoneywood Dyce 2nd XI fared no better as they lost in the SPCU away to Gordonians, but unlike their 1sts, they were on the ropes pretty much all game. Sandy Richards scored 31 and Himanshu Saraswat 72 as Gordos threatened to post a very large total, but 4 wickets from Andy Rayner helped bowl the home side out for an otherwise respectable 203. The SDCC openers laid a platform but the acceleration never kicked in and it needed 54 from Mark Lambley to hoist their total to 115 all out. Aberdeenshire continued their good start to the season with an impressive home win against Strathmore. 66 from Aayush Das and 47 from Lewis Munro were the main contributions as Shire were all out for 224. 3 early wickets for Lewis Munro knocked the stuffing out of the Strathmore reply and an unbeaten 59 from Sami Ejaz was in vain as they were all out for 164. Kinloch have been the whipping boys of the SPCU in recent seasons but a narrow 18 run win over Huntly will have had them celebrating all the way to their cars. Falkland demolished Dundee High, Perth Doocot had a sweaty 8 run win over Forfarshire 2nds who were unable to bat out the overs, and it was an even tighter affair at Arbroath as the home side were one short chasing the Freuchie score of 156.