As we approach the end of the holiday season, availability of players was still and issue but the Grades team were able to out a full 11 with a last minute replacement who would become one of the highlights of the day.
The team arrived and were faced with a similar wicket to the one at Banchory the week before and the expectation was that whomever won the toss would bowl first. Much to the captain’s surprise, the Methlick captain won the toss and elected to bat.
Opening up were Jon and the current leading SDCC Grades bowler, Rory. For Methlick Murphy and Woodhouse. SDCC struck early with Woodhouse dismissed for 1, LBW to Jon (1-15) and this was soon followed by his partner in crime inciting an edge to the ever reliable Mike standing at first slip to dismiss Addison (2). Methlick 10-2.
Meanwhile Murphy decided the best approach was to attack anything full and hit through the line. The next wicket fell courtesy of an excellent throw by Ross who having missed the ball, chased it down and fired a bullet like throw to leave Jones (2) well short. Methlick 25-3.
Maxfield was enticed by Rory (2-24) to give Mike his second catch at slip to leave Methlick 38-4. Jan replaced Jon at one end and was promptly sent into the cow field by Murphy which was followed by the word “Fetch”. Needless to say, that was the last scoring shot Murphy had off Jan’s bowling. Mike replaced Rory and induced Anderson (0) to try and slog one out of the park but only reaching Jan at Mid On. This was quickly followed by another excellent run out, this time by Jordan who made a direct hit with one stump to aim at to leave Methlick 48-6.
Jan’s follow up to fetch was to have Murphy well caught by Jon at Long on for an excellent 41. Methlick 51-7.
Ross replaced Jan and Ruben came on for Mike. Ruben was able to entice Young (0) to loop a catch and was gleefully caught by Rufus to give Ruben his first league wicket. Methlick 54-8.
Ross bowled without luck and the remaining batsman continued to play and miss to him with his five overs only yielding 4 runs. Rufus replaced Ruben and quickly dismissed Sardfimoski (6) and Fahad came on and Hyde could not resist the urge to hit over the top but only as far as Jon.
Methlick 69-10.
After a lovely tea provided by the hosts, SDCC set out to chase down the runs.However, within a few overs SDCC were 4-2 with Jawad (2) caught in slips off the bowling of Maxfield and Jordan (0) glancing one down the legside to give Jones the first of his two wickets.
Fahad was joined by Noor and after patiently moving the score along, Fahad started to play some shots hitting two 4s and two 6s on his way to 31 and bringing SDCC within 25 runs of victory. However, yet another SDCC collapse saw Fahad, Noor and Mike all fall without adding any runs as Addison (2-12) and Cordiner (1-26) as SDCC went from 45-2 to 45-5.
Jan was joined by Rufus and the pair ate up the overs while patiently knocking off the singles to take SDCC close to victory. Jones (2-15) returned for one last effort and was able to bowl Rufus, but Rory and Jan were able to take SDCC home as Jan hit the winning runs with a six over square leg.
SDCC win by 4 wickets.
Methlick CC MoM: Steve Murphy for his belligerent 41. Honourable mention to C Addison who was probably the bowler of the day with match figures of 2-12 off his allotted 10 overs.
SDCC MoM: Jan for his 1-8, removing the dangerous Murphy and his painstaking and patient 23*.
Highlight of the Match: Some memorable highlights from the game which included Mama Stander having words with her son and how she did not really fly all this way to watch him block and become a blocker. However, the highlight of the day was Ruben taken his first league wicket courtesy of a catch from his father.