The opportunity to spend time watching the high scorers of Grade 3 in action on a beautiful, sunny day at the Gordon Park on Saturday was just too good to miss.
After all the home side, Ellon Gordon, had amassed just over 1000 runs in four games, including one innings of only 74 which they won by the margin of 10 wickets. So I reasoned the 164 year old club under the shrewd leadership of new captain Ally Addy were doing something right.
I might even see the talented Addy who also graced Aberdeen Grammar as an astute stand off in the game of rugby, score his third century on the bounce. A rare feat in the Grades game.
Their opposition have proved to be no slouches , boasting a 50% record in what is turning out to be a very competitive league.
In the event, I was not disappointed, apart from seeing Mr Addy fall at an early hurdle when he was out for a duck in the second over of the game.
Thereafter, the scoring baton was carried with some distinction by Tom Proctor (71) and Stewart Davies (93) as the host team piled on 265 runs for 7 from their allotted 40 overs. Helped it has to be said by some friendly bowling and less than inspired field placements.
In fairness Stonehaven Thistle made a good fist of their reply, although they benefitted from some equally limited bowling from the home attack, enabling the Mineralwell Park side to reach 179.
The win keeps Ellon Gordon top of the league, while Thistle need a decent run to get themselves back into the title chase.
But while cricket is generally about what happens on the field of play, my experience of watching and playing over nearly 80 years, suggests that it is the trackside chat which keeps us in touch with old teammates and friends, making for lasting memories.
Such was the case on Saturday when I was joined on my park bench by a legend of the Ellon game who due to a recent retina replacement was not able to take his place in the Ellon starting line up. He will in fact be out of the game he has graced for nearly 40 years for the rest of the season. A huge blow for Ellon who have been privileged to have Jonny Barrett in their ranks.
But spare a thought for his lovely, outgoing wife Sarah, who will have to put up with a husband unable to play cricket again this season, although the icon of North East cricket intends to be available for the Scotland Over 50 side tour of India next February.
Jon in my book is up there with Alex Keith and Fazal Awan, and perhaps one day, the achievements of these three prolific run machines will be recorded in detail. They and the game deserve nothing less. The fact that nothing has appeared to date is due to no accurate data being available.
And finally my most enjoyable day suddenly got much better, if that was possible, when I was joined by a proper writer and just as crucially a student of the game of cricket.
But more of Mark Bridgeman on another occasion.
The author of the “”Nearly Man” and club secretary at Breadalbane Cricket Club merits space of his own .