There’s no change at the top of Grade 1 with Crescent, Bon Accord and Knightriders all winning.
Crescent made light work of 9 man Inverurie’s 221 for 4 total which was built on 77 from Chris Watson and 66 from George Hadden. In reply an undefeated 104 from Abrar Pewekar saw his side home by 7 wickets on a day where wickets were hard to come by.
Knightriders piled on 297 for 1 against Grammar, Rob Sweirgon’s decision to bowl first might well be up there with Nasser Hussain in Brisbane in 2002 and Ricky Ponting at Edgbaston in 2005. Madhan Mohan helped himself to 124 not out, Abhinav Kache made 91 and Sajid Muhammad a quickfire 56 not out. Unfortunately for a dehydrated and sun stroke ravaged Grammar the pitch at Groats Road went from road to a minefield and they were bundled out for 75 with ex Grammar man Mahesh Challa picking up 5 for 11.
Bon Accord made an above par 197 all out against Cults with that man Fazal Awan top scoring with 66 before Muhammad Tahir and his action which the biomechanical experts at the ICC would have a field day with took 5 for 18. Cults looked dead and buried at 41 for 7 before Aqeel Ajazi with 56 not out helped the total to 168 for 8 as that wily old fox Taqueer Malik took 4 for 16.
The surprise result of the day occurred at Mannofield as the home side were turned over by Master Blasters. There’s not often Lokesh Saraswat, Shay Nanthakumaran and Rahul Chandu don’t trouble the scorers with Chandu’s average tumbling down to double figures for the first time this season. Sampath Rajapajsha with 55 helped Mannofield get up to 153 all out as Chetan Aggrawal and Ajay Narne both picked up 3 fors. Master Blasters got home with 3 wickets to spare as Narne top scored with 40.
Gordonians racked up 294 for 5 against 2nd Knightriders with Scotland Under 17 player Adi Hegde making exactly 100 and Mohit Khosla making 62. Uday Reddy made 73 as Knightriders were bowled out for 204.
In Grade 2 an understrength Fraserburgh lost by 250 runs to Grampian. Mynul Nadim helped himself to 110 from 63 balls and Jeby George with 50 from 25 deliveries enabled Grampian to post 317 for 7. In reply only Nick Gray and Ryan Duthie made double figures as the Broch were bowled out for 67. I can’t help thinking Chris Gospel didn’t live up to the hype in the preview after bowling 8 wicketless overs then getting a golden duck.
Closest game of the day took place at Burnett Park as Siyapa defeated Banchory by 1 wicket. Banchory posted 166 for 7 as Carl Counsell scored his 2nd consecutive 50 in successive weeks this time making 61. Muhammad Hassan was the hero for Siyapa seeing his side over the line in the 36th over.
Ellon had a comprehensive 65 run victory over Portcullis at Duthie Park. Ellon amassed 214 all out with 45 from Brian Veldsman and 39 from Rich Greenfield. In reply Portcullis were bowled out for 149.
In Grade 3 a mere 634 runs were scored in the game between 2nd Gordonians and Stonehaven. Gordos accumulated 334 for 7 in their 40 overs as Tanish Kirodian with 74, Shiv Chouksey 66 and Jez Durward 54 were all in the runs. In reply there’s not often a team has 2 centurions and still finish on the losing side but Stonehaven were restricted to 300 for 7 from their 40 as Nathan Macaulay-Dicks 101 and Andy Gale 106 both brought up 3 figures.
Methlick look odds on favourite to be invincibles in 2021 as they pummelled Crathie. Methlick racked up 287 for 5 with the nicest Australian in the world Adam Veersema scoring an undefeated 109 from 84 balls and Alasdair Smith making 89. The ever-reliable Tim Duffy took 4 for 10 from 9.1 overs as Crathie were dismissed for 104.
Stoneywood Dyce had a convincing win over 2nd Siyapa by 144 runs at Rubislaw.
3rd Gordonians left Methlick with full points. Vijay Hegde top scored with 44 as he tries to convince everyone that his son Adi doesn’t get all his cricketing ability from his mother. Gordos made 150 and Methlick were bowled out for 99 as Gaurav Singh picked up 5 for 29.