Banchory 1st XI 114 all out (32.5 overs): Thapa 26; Ali 4-12
Mannofield 1st XI (16.3 overs): Sood 41*; Mohsin 2-25

Burnett Park was looking a picture for the 1st XI's long awaited return to Grade 1. The outfield looking particularly trim after the repeated passes made by opening batsman Will George on Friday and Saturday morning!

Banchory won the toss and elected to bat. Will George and Pulkit Singh, fresh off his 124 last weekend, got Banchory off to a very steady start notching up 40 runs after 9 overs. However, Mannofield got their first breakthrough shortly after when Ali claimed the wicket of Singh (17).

This preceded a collapse in Banchory's top order with M.Vila dismissing Josh Crawley (0) in the next over. Ali kept his momentum and took key wickets of Wiles (0) and George (21) in the next two overs leaving Banchory four down after 14 overs.

Mausam Thapa came to the crease and managed steady the course for Banchory. He was ably assisted by Tayyab Khalid, and for 10 overs the pair kept the score board ticking over. But with the score just shy of 100 Ali Gohar removed Khalid (10) in the 25th over. Thapa (26) followed 5 overs later, edging behind off the bowling of A.Gohar. This sparked a rout of the Banchory tail, Hendriksen (6) fell in Gohars next over and the last three wickets of Tanvir, Mohsin and Brown all went for ducks. The Banchory innings closed on a disappointing 114 runs.

After teas were enjoyed in the sunshine Banchory took to the field. Daniel Brown, no doubt inspired by Hendriksen's famous pep talks, took L.Saraswat's wicket with his first ball - getting Banchory off to a flyer. After a quiet couple of overs Mohammad Mohsin, on his league debut, got the next break through removing M.Vila (0). Brown then struck again claiming R. Tahir's (17) wicket. The mini rout continued when Mohsin clean bowled R.Hashmi for 0, leaving a very surprised Mannofield on 32-4, and Banchory sensing blood in the water.

Yet, A.Gohar and V.Sood were not phased by the situation and threw caution to the wind with some swashbuckling and very effective batting. Quickly adding 36 runs to the board in 3 overs which began to turn the tide.

Khalid managed to removed Gohar (19) bringing Andrew Hastie (13*) to the crease. Together with Sood (41*) he bought the match home for Mannofield, hitting a fine six to bring the match to a close.

Unfortunately not the result the team were looking for to start in the league campaign but an enjoyable day of cricket in the sun and a match played in good spirits.

Next week we look forward to welcoming Master Blasters to Burnett Park.