Gordon Park, the home of Ellon Gordon, one of the oldest clubs in Scottish cricket, has witnessed many fine achievements in its time, including top performances from a range of players from its own distinguished ranks.
But last Saturday it was a young man from Crescent/Dunecht who stole the headlines, and even the hearts of the small, but deeply engrossed gathering there to watch the home club cement its position at the head of Grade 3.
The home side did not get things entirely their own way though, having reduced the Dunecht based side to nine wickets down for a mere 74, Aly Addy’s side looked set to have an early supper.
But cometh the hour, cometh the man, or in this case 11 year old Riaan Dumpa who has been coached and trained at Stoneywood Dyce since he was six, joining fellow batsman Pavan Boni who must have thought his chances of reaching his half century were all but gone.
13 overs later, Boni was looking down the barrel of a century, while at the other end, his young partner was painstakingly seeing off the challenges of the Ellon attack, including Brian Veldsman who took five for 35, but failed, despite his best efforts to claim the scalp of Riaan. That honour fell to the legendary Jon Barrett who with the Crescent total on 123 had him caught behind, but not before the youngster had faced 31 balls, enabling Boni to reach 90 in a stand worth 49, and while the young man failed to break his duck, the knock was full of character and good technique, giving a glimpse into the future of a rare talent.
Riaan, not only shone at the crease but relished a spell scoring before he went out to bat.
Most appropriately, he shared the scoring duties with Ellon’s Ean Mackie. Ean has been a stalwart of the local game for as long as most can remember, and as a batsman who delighted in staying at the crease, must have appreciated the application of his scoring companion.
Among the entranced spectators was Riaan’s proud mother Manisha who admitted to being very emotional about the occasion.
”I was so proud of him, but also very nervous about him getting hurt, or doing something wrong, like getting Pavan run out,” she said.
At the end of the day it was a great occasion for the game, as the 11 year old so eloquently made the case for the inclusion of juniors throughout the area, but spare a thought for Crescent veteran David Gibson who opted to open the batting to take the pressure off his young colleagues, and despite wearing his ”lucky” Gordon Greenridge hat, acquired in 1975 was out leg before to the second ball of the day.
David being the character and stalwart of the game that he is chose to focus on the heroics of his team mate. ”At least he made his duck last, unlike me.” And while the game should welcome the arrival of young Riaan, it should be grateful for the presence of David Gibson for so many years.
Riaan does have a younger brother who may well take the field for Stoneywood Dyce in Grade 4 over the next few weeks. Hopefully both brothers will end up troubling the runs column to enhance their enjoyment of the game.
Incidentally, Ellon Gordon, knocked the required runs off for the loss of four wickets, but no doubt a little wiser for the experience.