Game of the day on Sunday was the unexpected win Aberdeenshire had over Eastern Premier League leaders Grange in the Scottish Cup at Mannofield. Nathan Elliott picked up 5 for 24 as Grange were skittled for 73 and Lewis Munro made 26 as Shire sneaked through by 2 wickets. Huntly also went through to the next round with a comprehensive victory over visitors East Kilbride. Huntly were all out for 304, not a total you usually see at Castle Park, but the 157 all out from East Kilbride was a bit more of a par score. Stoneywood Dyce didn’t make the next round as they made the long journey to Dumfries and replied with 157 to the 286 for 7 posted by the hosts. From the competitive elite of local cricket, we move to the more recreational side of Grades cricket as we hand over to Jack Nixon who enjoyed the sun in Ellon –
The combination of glorious weather, and the prospect of seeing some good juniors battling it it out in a Grade 3 fixture last Sunday at Ellon was just too good to miss. After all I have been rabbiting on about the development of young cricketers for more years than I like to recall.
The fact of the game between Ellon Gordon, formed in 1843 and 2nd Abercrombie Master Blasters, a relatively new addition to the Grades set up, but good enough for their first team to have been Grade 1 champions last season, made for a good day out in the outstanding weather we have been having of late.
The game, while not being a classic had its moments, ending in dramatic fashion with the visitors easing home by one wicket, having been 16 runs adrift of the target set them by Ellon with nine wickets down. They certainly don’t come much closer, and although the batting of both sides left a lot to be desired, there were flashes of brilliance, boding well for the future. The fielding was generally of the highest order, particularly that of the Master Blasters, clearly inspired by the example set by their first team’s performances last season.
The stand outs in this low scoring game were mainly with the ball, although Andrew Ovenstone an Ellon opener demonstrated most ably that patience is a key attribute. His sensible 22 from 69 balls making it look easy, even on artificial wicket, underlined by the Master Blaster’s captain Mohammed Khan who steered his side home with an unbeaten 23 at a time when his fellow batsmen were losing their wickets and heads.
The bowling heroes were captain Jonny Barrett whose six wickets for 20 runs from 10 overs looked to have turned the tide for the home side, but to no avail against the classy Khan, leaving Muhammad Husain’s figures of three for 18 to be the most telling for the Aberdeen visitors.
The down side for both bowling attacks was the 45 wides conceded. Both sides need to look at the accuracy of their attacks. A glance at the returns in Test matches and English County games, pointing the way.
But attending a cricket match is not just about watching the game but meeting up with old friends and making new ones. This I did in abundance, not least with a former Ellon Gordon stalwart George Mutch who has been a fixture at Gordon Park, both in the days when as a player and as a supporter he was part of a winning set up.
George still talks a good game but most of all he was just great company.
Jonny Barrett may have failed to get among the runs for his mother Sue who was not for the first time was watching at Gordon Park; most of it when her wicket keeping husband Hayden was giving his all, until he passed away seven years ago, having served Ellon Gordon so well.
So while the Gordon Park side languish in Grade 3, and new boys Master Blasters look set to write their own history in bold letters; it is my belief the worm will surely turn, and the young players on show on a Sunday will be tomorrow’s men.
Generally the Grades game is making its way back, thanks to those like Jonny Barrett and Mohammed Khan who are intent on giving youth its head, and there are others who I hope to see in action over the summer.