Buckie CC v Northern Counties CC |
|
Macallan League |
|
Undefeated Champions
Cricket is often likened to the game of chess and this was certainly reflected in Saturday’s league decider at the LGP sponsored by Wilson Leisure. Northern Counties lying second in the Macallan championship had to win and prevent Buckie from scoring four points in the process which amounts to 7 wickets, 150 runs or a combination of both.
Buckie won the toss and asked the visitors to bat with their objective being to score runs without losing wickets. Wilson struck early for Buckie having Leckie caught by Thomson at square leg with the score on 11. Only 3 more points required.
Gary Reid batted aggressively and although he hit the ball in the air, none of those shots were near fielders and out of 59 runs on the board the opener had scored 50 in eighteen overs. The priority was to stay at the crease and the run rate was never particularly fast and to that end Reid and Stott batted stuffily.
Reid eventually departed with the score on 98 of which he ad scored 76 runs. Once again Thomson lurking at square leg took the catch off Corsie’s bowling.
Thomson returned to bowl after his opening spell and Stott could not resist the big hit and holed out to Walls at long on with the score on 116. This gave Buckie a further point and meant that only 100 runs were needed for the title. Counties were unsure whether to declare at this point or not but battled on for one more wicket. They reached 135 before Findlay stumped George Reid from Shakeel’s bowling and the declaration was duly made.
Only four bowlers were used and each took a wicket to share the honours.
Buckie were two points away and all that was required was a sensible batting approach to reach 100 runs. Bang went Findlay’s stumps bowled by George Reid. Up went the umpire’s finger on two occasions as Corsie then Wilson fell LBW also to George Reid and Buckie were 42 for 3 and as far as Counties saw it the big guns were gone and they had a chance.
Little gun Daniel Walls was still there though and showing maturity beyond his years he dug in his heels and ground out a tremendous innings. He was assisted Lindsay who added 14 runs of his own before being caught to give Reid his fourth wicket.
Shakeel and Curran chipped in with valuable runs and with Baker at the crease with Walls the score stood at 98. Barclay bowled and Walls hit a tremendous straight six back over the bowlers head. The league was won and the LGP crowd were ecstatic.
After the noise died down the game continued with the focus now set on an unbeaten season.
Walls, the hero of the hour was caught behind from Gary Reid’s bowling. Daniel had scored 47 runs, unfortunate not to score his fifty, but certainly the most important innings of his career. He has now been promoted to big gun.
Baker was next to go also caught behind from Barclay’s bowling and Creamer was bowled by the same bowler and the score stood at 125 for 9.
Big Colin Thomson is a veteran of the tight finish and has seen it all before. With his imperturbable demeanour he stood at the crease and let the atmosphere soak in. Waiting for the right ball, then smack, a four here and a two there and Buckie were in a winning position.
Two runs from McDonald and the scores were tied and appropriately enough Tommo struck the winning run to give Buckie victory.
The celebrations began in earnest after the batsmen were cheered from the field. The innings was interrupted twice for rain.
Four Counties, George Reid took 4 wickets, Gary Reid and Barclay 2 each with the last going to Amour.
Commiserations to Counties who fought hard to the end and ensured the game was exciting. Nerves were understandably apparent on the day, but there were determined performances on both sides to savour, none more so than that of Walls.
Buckie regained the Macallan championship with a 100% league record. The first Club to do so since Nairn County in 1939.
The 2 nd XI are still in the hunt for the Macallan Reserve League with two games still to play. It would be a good double if they could pull it off too.
Our thanks to Wilson Leisure for sponsoring this match. The lads celebrate below.
