The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Frustrated Shire rue one that got away
Cricket: Venske ponders what might have been after draw
Aberdeenshire captain Chris Venske conceded to experiencing a mixture of emotions in the wake of his side’s drama-packed tie against Grange at Mannofield on Saturday.
It was a case of what might have been for him, both in a positive and negative sense.
Century-maker Venske said: “We could easily have lost the match but maybe we should have won it.”
The outcome halted Grange’s run of victories, while also boosting Shire’s revival. He explained: “For much of the contest it could have gone either way. We batted first and were struggling a bit on 45 for four, so at that point if you had offered me a tie then I would’ve bitten your arm off.
“I was frustrated to get out with nine overs of our innings left because there were still plenty of runs available to me.
“We could have posted a total exceeding 250 rather than the 223 that we did reach.”
In the tense finale, Grange needed five from the last over to snatch the glory, with young Connor Shorten being entrusted to bowl.
He held his nerve in a manner that impressed Venske, who added: “The grit and determination shown by the lads in the closing stages made me a happy captain. Connor’s feat in restricting them to four runs in these six balls was special.”
On his own knock of 110, he said: “I was pleased with my knock but I got out at the worst time.”
Shire coach David Cox added: “Connor was a hero – it was a great way to mark his selection or his call up to the Scotland U19’s.
“The lower order worked well with Chris to build a platform after a horrendous start.
“It was a really galvanised team performance with contributions throughout.
“But the tally of 24 extras that cost us the game, not for the first time this season.
“We should have won, but I’ll take five points and look forward to Heriot’s next weekend.”
Six Grange batsmen got over the 20 mark but Harris Aslam and Ryan Flannigan top scored with 31 each.
This fact was testament to Aberdeenshire’s persistence in the field.
Venske himself was no mean performer with the ball, taking two for 31 in 10 overs.
Elsewhere, an under-strength Arbroath surrendered their unbeaten record to Glenrothes, while Forfarshire swept aside the challenge of basement boys Falkland. Strathmore and Perthshire Union north-east championship leaders Stoneywood Dyce’s 100% record was brought to an end on Saturday when they lost by 37 runs away to Perth.
Perth batted first and although the first wicket fell cheaply, Emeul Knoesen (59) and Curtis Taylor (41) steered the home side into a useful position but, on 181 for nine after 45 overs, but the total looked catchable.
The first three Stoneywood-Dyce batsmen put on 60 runs, Liam Lindsay with 32, but after that Knoesen, with four for 25 and Ivor Patterson’s three for 44 ensured that the points were staying at Doo’cot Park.
Second spot in the table was also up for grabs but it was Gordonians who widened the gap over Meigle with a 24-run win in a low-scoring match.
Visitors Gordonians batted first and looked to be in trouble at 119 for seven until Aman Bhandari added 35 to Debo Barman’s 34 to post a total of 144.
Meigle could have expected to pass that without too much bother but were in real trouble at 46 for six and could only scratch up 123 all out leaving Gordonians to open a gap between themselves in second and Meigle in third.
It was another gloomy afternoon for Kinloch, who hosted Mannofield.
The Aberdeen team batted first and reached 223 all out in 40 overs with the home side finding themselves all back in the pavilion for 151, a result which sees Mannofield move into the top half of the table.