Banchory 2nd XI 43 all out (19.3 overs): Redpath 13; Naseer 6-20
Crathie 44-5 (12.4 overs): McEwan 17; Mohsin 3-20

Crathie won by 5 wickets

It felt more like November than June when Banchory’s 2nd XI arrived at an icy cold Balmoral on Saturday. As the wind howled down the valley from the Cairngorm plateau 22 shivering figures wrapped up in white set about the business of spending their Saturday afternoon chasing around a small pink ball.

Redpath maintained his 100% record at the toss and, after some heavy lobbying from certain players (Josh Crawley), elected to bat first. Perhaps it was the sugar rush from the pre-match cakes, the glare of the pink ball, the deceptive nature of the Crathie wicket, or just an inability to bat sensibly, but the Banchory innings was over in the blink of an eye.

Crawley (2) was first to go, unluckily playing onto his stumps from a soft-handed forward defensive. Counsell (7) was then dropped twice before snicking one of Thomas’ (3-14) lofty deliveries behind.

Bott then retired hurt, having edged a ball into his face and bust open a lip. Shakir (0), perhaps a little shaken by the carnage and splashes of blood splattered on the pitch, was then promptly dismissed LBW. Redpath (13) was next to go, bowled after inexplicably trying to hit the ball into Balmoral Castle after nobly advising his teammates to apply themselves and eat up the overs.

From there the wickets tumbled freely. Tanvir was given LBW, Mohsin followed in his captains footsteps and was caught trying to send the ball into orbit. Hart (6) did apply himself, but the speedy and accurate Naseer (6-20) broke through his elegant forward defensive, bowling him 194 short of what Matthew's had boldly predicted would be a double-century.

Bott (3), after undergoing a spot of facial reconstructive surgery from Counsell on the sidelines, bravely returned to the wicket only to be trapped LBW - given swiftly by trigger finger of Shakir. Matthews and Brown joined messrs Tanvir, Mohsin, and Shakir in failing to trouble the scorers, leaving Vas (8*), who looked set for a sure fire quick 50, stranded at the other end.

The traditional lunch time pies served by Crathie would have to wait. A quick turnaround and Banchory were in the field - being buffeted around by the gale force winds. Tanvir quickly found the breakthrough - bowling J Atkinson (4) with a snorter. Mohsin then took three quick wickets and the visitors sensed a slight opportunity for an improbable win.

First, Hewage (3) snicked one to Crawley at slip, who palmed it up in the air and caught the rebound in an outstanding display of athleticism for a man who had indulged in a pre-match rhubarb frangipani with clotted cream. Feeney (0) and Aziz (2) followed - caught behind by the ever reliable Counsell. McEwan (17) clobbed a few nice boundaries to eat into the total before chipping a full toss to the safe hands of Mohsin at mid-on.

Crathie were 35-5 but defending 43 was always going to be a big ask and Naseer (15*) and T Atkinson (2*) saw Crathie home. The winning run coming from a delightful little chip to Hart at gully who did the honours of dropping the gently looping ball as the batters scampered through. Hart has promised to dedicate a few hours of his Sunday to catching practice.

Pies and tea were consumed amidst gallows humour from the travelling side whose grand day out was over before it had really started.

Next up Stoneywood-Dyce 3rd XI at People’s Park on the 15th of June. Let’s hope for some better batting.