North-east sides bag opening wins

Huntly and Gordonians got their first wins of the North East Championship league season on Saturday in rather contrasting ways.

The Huntly match went right down to the final ball while Gordonians managed to triumph with more to spare.

After an opening loss at Perth Doo’cot, Huntly were determined to put in an improved performance at home to Freuchie at Castle Park.

Batting first, skipper Jack Mitchell made 44 opening up, but Huntly slipped to 104-7.

Coming in at number eight, Lewis Myron-Petrie scored a very important 42 not out off 52 balls which allowed Huntly to post 160-9 from their 45 overs.

In reply, things were getting very tense when Freuchie reached 157-9 from 44 overs.

They needed four runs from the last over bowled by Andrew Petrie, but Huntly were very alert in the field.

Off the first ball batter Graeme Christie tried to run a single, but fielder Jordan Squire picked the ball up, aimed and hit the stumps with his throw to run him out.

It meant Freuchie finished on 157 all out and Huntly had won by three runs.

Mitchell, the winning captain, said: “It was an exciting ending for sure and hopefully we can build from here.

“I was really impressed with Lewis’ innings, it gave us a fighting chance and we knew if we bowled well then we had the ability to defend our total.

“Lewis took the confidence from his batting into his bowling while 16-year-old leg spinner Shannon Thorpe, who has joined us from Inverness, showed great skills and grabbed two crucial wickets.

“Club stalwart Andrew Petrie rolled back the years and showed great composure in the final overs.”

Gordonians were at Bluebellwood Park to face St Modans and they restricted their hosts to 140 all out batting first.

The visitors then reached 141-3 in just 18.3 overs in reply to win by seven wickets, Sree Devadas leading the way with an excellent 80.

“At one point it looked like St Modans would score a big total, but we fielded well and took all our chances,” Gordonians captain Aman Arora said.

“Sree batted very well and Muhammad Shoaib hit a classy 38 not out in a good win.”

Aberdeenshire are top and have won two from two after a six wicket home victory over Forfarshire’s second team.

Stoneywood Dyce are still winless in the league after a three wicket home loss to Strathmore.

In Grade One, Mannofield, Knight Riders, Bon Accord, Inverurie and Master Blasters were winners.

PLEASED: Huntly captain Jack Mitchell scored 44 in his side’s winning effort against Freuchie.

Gordonians skipper Aman Arora.