The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Gordonians battle back to pip Huntly
Gordonians remain in joint-top position of the NE Championship with Freuchie after holding off the challenge of Huntly at Castle Park in a tense, thrilling finish.
In a low-scoring game in which the bowlers held sway, Gordonians looked to have lost their 100% record after being dismissed for 142 in the 38th over, only to defy the odds by bowling out the home side for 122 in the 39th over.
Significantly, the Countesswells top scorer was Mr Extras with 23, topping the 19 runs scored by three Gordonians batsmen Himanshu Saraswat, Phasant Wig and Pranau Saravanan, although it was opener Aman Arora who caught the early eye before unluckily given out leg before when on 13.
The unluckiest player of the day, though, was Huntly all-rounder Jordan Squire, who took four wickets for
28 before going on to hold the home innings together with a superb unbeaten 65.
The talented left-hander certainly did not deserve to be on the losing side.
“It was a great, but tense game. We are working well as a team,” said Mayank Bandari, the Gordonians captain. Opposing skipper Jack Mitchell agreed and said: “They made it very hard for us when we batted. They are a good team.”
In the other local derby at People’s Park, Stoneywood-Dyce looked to have the beating of city rivals Aberdeenshire having reduced them to 70 for seven when chasing 142, but Finlay Anderson’s unbeaten 40 took the Mannofield side to a threewicket win.
Mark Lambley top scored for the home side with a solid 50.
Shire stand-in captain Lewis Munro starred with the ball, capturing five wickets for 16 runs.
“It was a disappointing outcome and should have been our first win,” said Andrew Rayner, the Stoneywood-Dyce skipper.
In the NE Grades, Cults are the only team in the top division with a 100% record after Bon Accord beat Aberdeen Grammar. Cults kept up the pressure with a narrow 14-run against Crescent.