Huntly CC v. Portcullis - Saturday, 26 July, 2014

Toss was won by Huntly CC, who chose to field.

Portcullis : 198 for 9 (30).

Huntly CC : 113 all out (14).

Welcome Victory keeps Portcullis Hopes Alive.

Match 13 of the 2014 Grades season saw Portcullis once again on their travels as they took the high road to Huntly and a must-win game.

The match was to be played at the beautiful setting of Castle Park, Huntly. Both teams were also blessed with equally spectacular weather to match the surroundings.

Captains Dave Mitchell and Michael Clark walked to the crease in glorious weather. Not so glorious was Mitchell’s record with the toss of the coin. He called wrong once more and Portcullis were padding up once again.

Dave Mitchell decided to lead from the front and mix things up a bit. He opened with Richard Collinson. It was an intelligent choice as Collinson looked to be returning to form in his previous match. For Huntly the bowling G. Christie and skipper Clark would open the Huntly bowling attack.

A case of Captain vs. Captain.

Portcullis were relieved to see the Huntly team looked remarkably different from the one that took on Portcullis at Sheddocksley. The average age was considerably down. Not that Portcullis could afford to take anything for granted. When your second bottom of the League you take NO-ONE for granted!! And when you play for Portcullis you definitely take NOTHING for granted!!

The opening exchanges went Portcullis’s way. The Huntly pair kept things tight but did not achieve the early breakthrough they desired. For Portcullis it was Collinson who was first to take the attack to Huntly. Stoic defence was topped with steady scoring before Collinson opened his shoulders and made a lovely late cut past gully for four.

Having correctly played himself in, Mitchell soon settled down and went on the offensive. When this happened his and Portcullis’s scoring rate soon rose. Two fours were soon followed by a welcome six that was pulled over the gate at deep mid wicket. In the meantime, Collinson’s own run-rate dried up. To his credit though he did not panic. Seeing his partner go through the gears, Collinson simply dug in and let the partnership grow.

With the temperature threatening to touch 30 degrees it was hot work out there and the wise move of three drinks intervals per innings was most welcome.

As a fat ginger bloke sitting in the shade coated in Factor 50 watching, I was in admiration of not only my colleagues and opponents out there toiling in the heat. I was also in awe of the footballers that played in considerably more uncomfortable conditions during an excellent World Cup only weeks before.

Anyway despite numerous changes in the bowling, the Portcullis opening partnership continued to grow. Both Collinson and Mitchell taking the score further onward. Mitchell soon reached his second fifty of the season with a push through the covers to rapturous applause from the Portcullis faithful. The next roar was for the very welcome 100 stand, the first century opening partnership seen by myself for Portcullis.

The score reached 104 before the first wicket fell. Bremner, in his second spell, bowling Mitchell who played a tired stroke. It was well deserved for Bremner whom had bowled accurately without much joy. Mitchell went off to generous applause having made a cracking knock of 68.

Falconer joined Collinson at the crease. The pair put on 12 for the second wicket before Collinson, like Mitchell before him, was bowled playing a tired shot across the wicket. A season high score of 22 however was a welcome reward for his diligence.

Falconer was joined by Kannan Vijayakrishnan next. Falconer did not hang around though and was caught at second slip off of Squire’s first ball of his spell for 4.

This turn of events brought Jayaraj Raj to the crease.

The reluctant all-rounder!

Jayaraj is the most modest of men. Despite being talented with the bat, he hid this piece of information from his team-mates early in his Portcullis career. He liked just being a bowler.

For about two seasons!

How many of us tend to tell others that we are all-rounders when perhaps we are lucky to have one talent (in my case maybe less than that!)?

How many have said this? (I have)

“So tell me mate… what are you? A bowler or a batsmen?”

“Who me? I’m a bit of an all-rounder me! Can bat and bowl!!”

The very fellow may show talent with one discipline for which you are pleased. As a result you give him more slack than required only to find he is utter muck with the second discipline.

Jayaraj is the exact opposite. Although he never actually said he could not bat he would often say “No, bat me at 11 – it is my favourite!”

We did. We accepted his take only to see his competitive nature and talent rise above his humility.

He was found out!

He is also a talented fielder. Not the most mobile, but has a cracking pair of (reluctant) hands. More than once I have ran to him after taking a screamer of a catch he should not have.

He did this once for me against Kintore 2nds in 2011.

I bowled a shocking half-track slow medium filth pie (no surprise there then I hear many of you cry!).

The batsman’s eyes lit up!

He rocked back and put in a back swing that Tiger Woods would have been proud of! Got his timing pretty much bang on and smashed this ball towards for a boundary – four at the very least, 9/4 a Tom Mix (six).

And then the hand of Raj stuck out to take the most scintillating of catches!!

At this point I went “Radio Rental”. A ball reeking of faeces had, in fact thanks to this reluctant hero, become a wicket-taking ball!

Joy!!

I ran to this man whom I thought was Clark Kent whom had, before my eyes turned into Superman! I wanted to hug him. I wanted to… well I know now why footballers kiss each other!!

“Jay! I love you and I want to have your babies!!” I said with disturbing gusto.

All the best heroes are modest. It’s the modesty that does not let you down.

“Thanks Ronnie, but please don’t touch my hands… they are in agony!!!” he said, metamorphisizing himself back to Clark.

Anyway back to the match.

Although not quite the Superman of that day, Jay showed he was no Clark Kent either. Both Kannan and he swung the match back in favour of Portcullis with their positive and aggressive stroke play.

The runs piled onto the Portcullis total. The pair added a quick fire total of 53 for the fourth wicket taking the total up to 169 before Raj fell for an entertaining 30.

Vijayakrishnan fell soon afterwards for a solid 21 and from there Portcullis lost wickets at regular intervals.

They did get to 42 overs though and declare at 198-9. Debutant Robert McKnight (1 not out) and the rapidly improving Pete Miles (4 not out) made sure that the 10th wicket remained unbeaten.

We had kept our mantra this season. We may not be the best team. We may not even be any good, but if you play for Portcullis you’ll get to bat just about every match no matter what position you bat in!

It was a healthy total however. In order to activate the draw, which was not activated, as Portcullis had not batted more that 42 overs, Huntly would have to score 150. To win 199.

As I said with Portcullis –anything is possible.

After a pleasant and welcome tea it was Portcullis who were to field. They would open the bowling with the solid pairing of Mitchell and Owen. Huntly would open with the gifted Jordan Squire and the unknown McKay.

The early exchanges went to Huntly, as Squire and McKay looked dauntingly comfortable against the competitive Mitchell and Owen. At 12 overs Huntly were in the hunt at 42-0 despite the oncoming clouds promising to favour the bowling attack. The heavy clouds gave way to eventual intolerable rainy conditions

It took just over an hour for the rain to subside and the impressive wicket covers to be removed in order to get play underway once again.

It was at this point Mitchell made his most impressive move.

Some Captains may have continued to bowl their first two bowlers again. The rains had brought them rest and respite and the safe option would be to go “same again”.

Mitchell decided that a change of attack may bring a change of fortune. A change in conditions would not change his mind.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes (one for all you Bowie fans out there!)

His gut instinct would prove to be right!

The Daily Planet’s Jayaraj Raj, brought on for Rob Owen, struck first. His third ball was a pearler, shooting through the impressive McKay’s defence’s to bowl the talented opener.

Huntly 49-1. McKay back in the clubhouse for an impressive 24.

Skipper Michael Clark was at the crease next. Along with young Jordan Squire the pair made 24 runs, rather too comfortably for Portcullis’s liking for the second wicket. As I have said with Portcullis before anything can happen.

Anything did.

Back on the theme of reluctance, Kannan Vijayakrishnan had come to replace Mitchell. Vijayakrishnan is a very talented bowler whom appears unorthodox. He bowls off of a one-step run-up but channels his pace through an athletic build and a strong front foot. He is also intelligent enough to vary his pace with no visible change of action. It was this combination that was to do for Jordan Squire.

Vijayakrishnan drifted one towards middle and leg; Squire picked it up but in his haste put too much elevation in his stroke towards mid-on. Parading that area was Falconer who, with a loud call and soft hands, made a tricky catch look comfortable. Huntly 73-2. The gifted left-handed Jordan Squire gone for an impressive 32.

The two wickets since the break had lifted the Portcullis spirits immensely.

They were back in this match.

As the pairing of Raj and Vijayakrishnan tired, skipper Mitchell saw the opportunity to bring himself and Owen back on and apply further pressure.

Owen, sensing opportunities, bowled with accuracy. With a long overdue victory a possibility, and with perhaps further clouds looming as well, Owen grasped the nettle to force home the victory. His four-fer rather bizarrely offered two opportunities of hat-tricks in the same match, the second opportunity a gnat’s eyelash from tickling the off-stump and glory.

Mitchell completed a fine all-round performance by grabbing a couple of wickets himself. First he bowled Clark for a decent 16 before finishing the match snaring the feisty Reid for a swashbuckling 25. A pull towards deep square leg saw Pete Miles take a super catch that arrived to him at an impressive pace.

Huntly 113 all out. For Portcullis a most welcome victory. By no means an easy one as the Huntly youngsters bowled, fielded and batted impressively, Hopefully they will continue to enjoy their cricket and go gentle on us in the future. At the progress they are making these youngsters have it all before them.

Stick with cricket lads; it’s a great sport!! And if you ever face an overweight ginger fellow in the future please bowl underarm, slow and outside off-stump!

Thanks!

PORTCULLIS MAN OF THE MATCH

Rob Owen, Jay Raj and Kannan Vijayakrishnan were all contenders but skipper DAVE MITCHELL takes the honours today. 68 with the bat and 2-30 with the ball.

PORTCULLIS MOAN OF THE MATCH

No moaning today. It was a beautiful day; it was a beautiful ground and it was a lovely game of cricket. What more can a cricket fan want?

PORTCULLIS MOMENT OF THE MATCH.

The Jayaraj Raj ball that took Huntly’s first wicket. It was a beauty and it was very important!!

HUNTLY MAN OF THE MATCH.

A lot of contenders here. G Reid took 3-53 that was highly impressive. A very young C. Stewart bowled exceptionally well for one so young. I really, really could go on but won’t. The Huntly Man of The Match is JORDAN SQUIRE. He made a very tidy 32 and his one false shot was gratefully (for us) punished. He has a big future at this sport. A big future.

Friday, 01 August, 2014

Innings of Portcullis

#NameR46How OutBowlerKeeperFielderComments
1D.Mitchell6872BowledC.Bremner
2R.Collinson223BowledC.Stewart
3R.Falconer4CaughtS.SquireM.McKay
4K.Vijayakrishnan213CaughtG.Reid
5J.Raj304BowledM.Clark
6R.Owen51BowledG.Reid
7H.Smith4Run Out
8B.Adie0BowledG.Reid
9P.Miles4Not out
10D.Forbes1LBWM.McKay
11R.McKnight1Not out
Byes2
Leg Byes1
Wides22
No Balls9
#NameOMNBWdRWAvEcStComments
1G.Christie6100180-3-
2M.Clark10200361363.610
3C.Bremner7100331334.717
4G.Reid800053317.676.632.67
5C.Stewart41001211234
6S.Squire3000131134.333
7N.Coffey4000240-6-
8M.McKay100021221

Innings of Huntly CC

#NameR46How OutBowlerKeeperFielderComments
1J.Squire32CaughtK.VijayakrishnanR.Falconer
2M.McKay24BowledJ.Raj
3M.Clark16BowledD.Mitchell
4S.Squire5BowledR.Owen
5G.Christie0BowledR.Owen
6G.Reid25CaughtD.MitchellP.Miles
7N.Coffey0BowledR.Owen
8C.Stewart0BowledR.Owen
9S.SquireNot out
10C.Bremner0Timed Out
Byes1
Leg Byes1
Wides5
No Balls0
#NameOMNBWdRWAvEcStComments
1D.Mitchell11.4300302152.575.83
2R.Owen111003949.753.552.75
3K.Vijayakrishnan5100171173.45
4J.Raj50001511535