The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Harsh lesson handed out by Academy
Academy’s cricketers turned in the performance of the day in Grade 1. After being bowled out on its own Sheddocksley track for just 108, the bowlers turned the table on Cults, dismissing them for 73 to keep their title challenge on track. Phani Prattipati was the standout, claiming four of the Allan Park side's wickets, including a hattrick, in the low-scoring encounter. Leaders Bon Accord were easy winners at the Links where they eased to 215 for nine before bowling out the Knight Riders for 171, of which 54 was scored by Vijay Amirtharaj. The prolific Fazal Awan suffered a rare failure with the bat for the champions, but had ample compensation with the ball, taking three for 20 when the visitors batted. Haroon Ahmed top-scored for the Bons with a sparkling 75 and was supported by Reman Haider who rattled up a fine 42. Aberdeen Grammar FPs kept the pressure on the leaders in second place, seeing off the challenge of Mannofield by five wickets at Rubislaw, restricting the visitors to 190 for seven before home captain Rob Swiergon stepped up with a superblyconstructed 77 to remind Bon Accord of his side's challenge. The unluckiest player of the day was Ellon Gordon's Ben Webb who scored a captain's knock of 114 in his side's total of 166 at Kellands Park, only to lose out to Inverurie Don Valley who raced to victory by seven wickets, mainly due to the partnership between George Hadden (75 not out) and Inverurie captain Trevor Norval who scored a painstaking 33. Kemnay-Kintore did well to bowl out Crescent for 112, only to collapse to 68 all out, this despite a stubborn knock of 33 from captain Liam Norval. In Grade 2 StoneywoodDyce continue to set the pace at the top of the division, enjoying a comfortable nine-wicket win at the expense of luckless Banchory who has yet to win a game. The home side was bowled out for 90. The challenge of Siyapa and Grampian stuttered as both were surprisingly beaten, by 2nd Knight Riders and Methlick. Stonehaven Thistle’s domination of Grade 3 looks set to be a feature of the season, as they were convincing sixwicket winners at Cowdray Estate, bowling Dunecht out for 51.