Champions reign as Portcullis falter.

Champions reign as Portcullis falter.

The scheduled second last Grade Three game of the season for Portcullis (which eventually turned out to be the last league game) saw Portcullis at home to the well-deserved 2018 Grade Three Champions Banchory CC.

Skipper Shovon Mostofa won the toss and, once again bucked the trend by batting first. Portcullis

Portcullis stuttered to start with, the early losses of openers Dave Forbes and Andy Phillip saw Potcullis reeling at 14-2 – the fine fiery outswing bowling of Banchory bowler Chad Abbott doing for the pair.

The new pairing of Shovon Mostofa and Owen Thorpe added 24 – and much needed stability for the third wicket. Mostofa, fresh from a cracking century against Fraserburgh in Grade Two whilst guesting for Siyapa, looked in sizzling touch whilst Thorpe dropped anchor.

Just as they looked to have seen through the storm further disaster struck Thorpe was first to go – caught behind by Banchory skipper Carl Counsell from the tricky bowling of first change bowler M. Herbert. Disaster further struck when new batsman Kannan Vijayakrishnan caught another Herbert delivery a little high on the bat. At first glance it looked as if Vijayakrishnan had caught enough of the ball to clear mid-off, however the athleticism and awareness of young D. Brown. The Banchory youngster kept an eye on the ball as it went over his shoulder. Backpedalling, he showed enough pace to make up the ground to take the most spectacular oand difficult of catches. Portcullis 38-4 from 38-2 and back in big trouble.

Skipper Mostofa was still there though and looking in fine touch. If he could have partners with him, Portcullis could still post an ominous score.

His next partner was Richard Collinson. The pair added 12 for the fifth wicket when disaster struck. It came from the bowling of Brown as the Duthie Park curse once again struck Mostofa. For the third time this season Mostofa received a low shooter at DP to bowl him for 17. Portcullis 50-5.

It was the turn of Jake Dawson to join Collinson at the crease. The pair dug in and took the score onto 77 as Banchory shared their bowling around. The change around of the bowling attack eventually struck gold when young S. Abbott came onto bowl. He struck first dismissing Dawson, Nixon hanging onto a fine catch. Dawson back to the trees for a fine 16. Collinson was next to go as he feathered one through to the keeper for a fine 14. Portcullis reeling at 83-7.

83-7 soon became 90-9 as Portcullis were put to the sword by this fine varied attack. Herbert grabbed his third wicket of the day when he bowled Andrew Blackwell for 1. Tim Wilkinson joined in the fun too as he captured form man Bob Adie. Wilkinson’s shrewd off spin inducing Adie into top edging one into the welcome gloves of Redpath.

This brought about the last chance saloon pairing of Ronnie Falconer and Brian Harper. The teabags were already in the flasks in preparation of tea as Harper ambled on to join Falconer at the crease.

With 18 overs to go, it was a bit early to see batsmen 10 and 11 at the crease. Both players though have solid defensive techniques and it was the ideal time for them to show they can bat further up the order – even against the League Champions!

And that’s exactly what they did!

The pair produced a chanceless 10th wicket partnership of 57 to take Portcullis up to 147 – 9 from their 45 overs. Ronnie Falconer finishing on 25 not out (4x4) whilst Brian Harper enhanced his all-rounder status with 20 not out (3x4).

The other double digit scorers for Portcullis were Shovon Mostofa 17 (3 x 4), Jake Dawson 16 (3x4) and Richard Collinson 14 (2x4).

For Banchory the bowling was led by M. Herbert (7.2-1-31-3). He was backed up by S. Abbott (3-0-5-2) and C. Abbott (9-2-34-2). The other wicket takers were D. Brown (1-11) and T. Wilkinson (1-14).

With Dean Abbott also in the team that brought the Abbott count up to three. The last time I saw that many Abbotts was on my Primary Seven school trip to Buckfast Abbey!

Tea was taken under the trees in fine weather. Once again Mrs Falconer’s soup – Chicken this time – went down a storm.

Once fed and watered it was time for Banchory to post their reply. The batting would be lead by Carl Counsell and M. Nixon. The bowling attack was to be led by skipper Shovon Mostofa and Kannan Vijayakrishnan.

Banchory got off to the start that Portcullis wanted. Chances (if any) were few and far between as Counsell and Nixon got to grips with the Portcullis bowling. The score moved onto 42 before Portcullis got their breakthrough.

It was admirable in the outcome of play. Vijayakrishnan got Nixon to feather one through to the gloves of Collinson. The keeper went up in celebration, but he was the only one as no-one heard anything or saw any deviation.

To Nixon’s great credit and his wonderful sportsmanship, he immediately turned to his heels and walked back to the trees. Impeccable sportsmanship, and not for the first time this season I witnessed a player walking before he was given – or not given – out.

This is why Grade Three is the best league to play in!

It was the turn of W. Redpath to come to the crease to join Counsell. Counsell was in excellent touch. I cannot recall him giving one chance as he strolled towards his fifty. Redpath joined in, scoring quickly too.

Portcullis turned to Andy Phillip and Owen Thorpe but this only seemed to accelerate the run-rate. Redpath hit a quickfire 30 from 34 balls as the pair put on 59 for the second wicket. Phillip, bowling the Banchory batsman with his customary late inswinger. Banchory 101-2.

Dean Abbott joined Counsell at the crease and hung about long enough to partner Counsell to his well-deserved fifty. A push through covers saw him through to the magical score.

Chad Abbot came in to replace his brother Dean. He stayed there unbeaten with Counsell as the pair wrapped the match.

Counsell celebrated reaching his fifty by crisply hitting three fine fours as well as a super crunching six over mid-on.

Abbott himself hit a couple of fours as well as the pair made an unbeaten 36 run partnership in as many balls to seal a comfortable victory. Banchory winning by 7 wickets,

Counsell batted quite magnificently for his 71 not out, taking only 95 balls to get to that score. His knock consisted of 8 fours and sixes as he enjoyed his day in the Duthie Park sun.

W. Redpath assisted with a fine 30 (4x4). The other double digit scorers for the Banchory side were Chad Abbott 12 not out (2x4) and M.Nixon 12 (1x4).

For Portcullis Andy Phillip led the way with 2-41 in his eight overs. Kannan Vijayakrishnan was the other wicket taker finishing with 1-37 from his 10 over spell.

It was a good game of cricket and Banchory were well worthy of their victory just as they were worthy of winning Grade Three. For Portcullis it was a decent challenge they put up. - The highlight of the day being their unbeaten 10th wicket partnership of 57 – surely a club record by Brian Harper and Ronnie Falconer.

PORTCULLIS MAN OF THE MATCH

It was a dead heat between the veteran pair of BRIAN HARPER and RONNIE FALCONER for their unbeaten 10th wicket stand. There were also fine knocks by Shovon Mostofa (17), Jake DAWSON (16) and Richard Collinson (10). With the ball Andy Phillip took 2-41.

BANCHORY MAN OF THE MATCH.

It could only be the one and only CARL COUNSELL with his fantastic unbeaten knock of 71. It included 8 bristling fours and two super sixes. Whilst he was at the crease the result was never in doubt!

PORTCULLIS CATCH OF THE MATCH.

RICHARD COLLINSON takes it for his fine effort with the gloves (and it was Portcullis’s only catch!).

BANCHORY CATCH OF THE MATCH.

D. BROWN takes for his swift footed backpeddaling one handed catch to dismiss the dangerous Kannan Viayakrishnan. It really was one of the catches of the season!

Tuesday, 11 September, 2018