Banchory 1st XI 217-6 (40 overs): Redpath 60, Rotheram 40; Chouksey 2-43
2nd Gordonians 175 all out (35.2 overs): Dureja 30, Shaikh 29; S Abbott 3-24 C Abbott 3-32

Banchory 1st XI won by 42 runs

New skipper for the season, Sam Rotheram, won the toss and elected to bat on a new artificial wicket at Counteswells. His decision turned out to be a good one, as Scotting (37) and Redpath (60) put on a solid opening wicket stand. Bad balls were punished, good ones defended, and no clear chances were given to the hosts.

Scotting’s defence was eventually pierced by Mir (1-29) with the visitors on 88. This brought Rotheram (40) to the crease and the score ticked over nicely to 131. Redpath chopped on shortly after reaching a half-century but Rotheram’s strike rate of 111 kept momentum with Banchory.
After Rotheram was caught at long-off D Abbott (29) and Counsell (20) added 49 in six overs, a partnership which included the rare feat of running three threes in one over!

There was time for C Abbott (6*) and Hendriksen (5) to club a boundary each to take the score to 217.

Gordonians’ openers Patel (7) and Shaikh (29) made a cautious start and Banchory made the breakthrough with just 18 on the board after 9 overs. S Abbott (3-24) found the inside edge of the dangerous Patel, Scotting took a smart low catch behind the stumps, and Patel nobly walked off.

Dureja (30) took a different approach to the openers, hitting 30 off just 15 chaotic balls, before S Abbott took his brothers advice and ‘sent the bails to Wales’. Ahmadzai (0) suffered a similar fate as S Abbott completed an outstanding spell.

Gordonians were struggling on 66-3 and the introduction of C Abbott (3-32) and Tripathi (1-48) saw more wickets fall. First, Mir (4) succumbed to the fate of being bowled C Abbott caught S Abbott. While at the other end Tripathi ended opener Shaikh’s stubborn spell at the crease.

Chouksey (10) added some valuable runs for the hosts before snicking a fine edge to Scotting. Another Gordonians batter who must be given credit for walking without being given out by the umpire.

When Tharakan (1) was bowled by C Abbott the hosts were 130-6. However, the tail-wagged, Banchory dropped some catches, conceded a number of extras, and the score proceeded quite quickly to 174-6 with Patel-Par (25) and John (25) doing the damage.

Step forth tailender specialist Brown (2-32) to save the day. First John was caught by Redpath at extra cover, then Das (0) was bowled. Hendriksen finished the job in the next over, knocking over Patel-Par’s stumps, to end Gordonian’s innings on 175 and complete a satisfactory 42 run victory for Banchory.

Next week we welcome Fraserburgh to Burnett Park, while the 2nd XI travel to Stonehaven for their season opener.