Banchory 2nd XI 146 all out (29.3 overs): Adyanthaya 41, Tanvir 36*; Low 5-56, Carr 2-19
Methlick 2nd XI 140-9 (40 overs): Choudry 46, Sarafimoski 20; Burnett 3-33, Adyanthaya 2-16

Banchory 2nd XI won by 6 runs

A sunkissed Burnett Park set the scene for a game that would prove to have a bit of everything - momentum swings, elegant cover drives, tremendous legside hoiks, excellent fielding, appalling fielding, batting collapses, sturdy partnerships, no-ball wickets, and a dramatic run chase that went to the final-over.

After maintaining their 100% record at the toss Banchory elected to bat first on what was a belter of a wicket matched with a rapid outfield - all achieved thanks to some very hard work behind the scenes by volunteer ground staff.

The decision proved effective, for the opposition, as Banchory lost 3 wickets within the first 8 overs to the crafty, unpredictable, and thus hard to hit, Low (5-56).

Anderson’s (0) second ball was a yorker that ever so gently clipped leg stump. Redpath (11) clubbed a full toss down gully’s throat, resulting in a pleading ‘please signal no-ball’ stare to the square leg umpire as he trudged off. The carrot was then dangled in front of Shakir (8), who couldn’t resist and was caught attempting to smoke the ball over mid-off. 29-3.

The frenetic start did not calm, but momentum swung somewhat in the homeside's direction as Adyanthaya (41), supported by Burnett (10) and Tanvir (36*), dispatched the ball delightfully across the neatly trimmed grass to the boundary rope 8 times. When Adyanthaya was out caught, having made his highest score for the club, the hosts had recovered to 100-5.

Step forth the traditional second batting collapse. Colley (1), Abbott (0), Crozier (0), and Brown (4), who hit a glorious straight drive before being bowled, all came and went, and the score was 115-9. Momentum back with Methlick.

However, Tanvir, who showed great patience in a fine-knock, was ably supported by Matthews (9), for what would prove to be a match-defining stand of 31 for the final wicket.

The innings came to an end after 29.3 overs when Low claimed his 5th victim. With 10.3 overs left on the board Banchory were left rueing a missed opportunity for a big-score.

If the Banchory start had been poor, the Methlick one was apocalyptic. Burnett's (3-33) pace and accuracy saw Fryer (0) bowled with the first ball of the innings and Moir (0) with the fifth.

Burnett could have had a third in his second over, but he overstepped slightly and a no-ball was signalled as Carr’s (5) bails went flying. No-ball wickets would become a familiar sight over the course of the afternoon.

Choudary (46), supported by the determined Carr, staged a fight-back for the visitors with a partnership of 61, and when Abbott’s (2-38) first over went for 18 the required target of 147 didn’t look so far away.

Yet Abbott fought on, found rhythm with his hooping in-swingers, and bowled Carr. At the other end Adyanthaya’s (2-16) darty off-spin did for Duncan (0) and Crutchfield (5) - who was expertly caught in wicket-keeper Colley’s pads. Abbott then claimed the prize wicket of Choudary and with Methlick sinking at 79-6 - it felt like the win was near.

Methlick’s tail, helped along the way by some suspect fielding, had other ideas. Sarafimoski (20) and Bremanson (12) lived charmed lives but added a valuable 35. In this partnership Burnett had two wickets, possibly more, called back for no-balls, Banchory dropped two catches, and missed out on an appeal for a mightily close run-out.

However, with nerves rising the bowlers held firm. Burnett got his foot placement right and bowled Bremanson. Matthews (1-18) bowled Sarafimoski. 124-8, 9 overs to go, 23 runs required,

Tanvir (0-22) locked down the pavilion end, bowling dot ball after dot ball conceding just 1 run in a spectacularly accurate 5-over spell. A combination of Brown (1-10) and Adyanthaya kept it tight enough at the far end to secure victory for Banchory as Methlick came up 6 runs short.

Next weekend Banchory 2nds travel to Balmoral to take on Crathie.