Team Effort Ensures Buckie Win

Buckie, sponsored by F McLeod MBE, faced their stiffest Macallan test of the season when they visited the RAF of Lossie on Saturday. The airmen have been racking up the runs in recent weeks with scores over 250 and were fancied by many to win.

With that form then, it came as a surprise that on winning the toss they asked Buckie to bat.

Findlay and Duthie opened against the pacey Wolton and found that runs were hard to come by. Duthie edged Wolton into the hands of second slip with the score on 3.

Wilson joined the fray and after a few more overs, Wolton’s pace remained but his accuracy had gone. The wicketkeeper was so far back that Findlay stole a run whilst the ball passed through to him. The next ball was short from the angry bowler and duly despatched for 6 and signalled time for a bowling change.

Wood was all over the shop with short legside stuff and Wilson’s eyes bulged with the prospect, however he failed to keep his shot down (or didn’t hit it high enough) and founds the hands of backward square leg on the line.

Walls then popped up a straightforward ball to mid off who took a fine diving catch inches from the ground. Findlay on 24 edged to first slip for Wood’s third wicket and Buckie were 56 for 4 after 19 overs giving some justification for Lossie’s decision.

Corsie and Lindsay took the initiative and in the next 12 overs added 62 runs before Lindsay, who had added 23 of those runs, gave extra cover a simple catch from Boardman’s bowling. The score moved to 130 when Corsie was bowled by Boardman for 44.

Shakeel and Baker particularly, turned on the after burners and hit everything in sight.

Shakeel hit Bradshaw for a tremendous straight flat 6, but was bowled next ball with the score now standing at 165.

Baker hit five boundaries including a massive six before he was bowled by Bradshaw for a timely 33 runs. Flett gloved through to the keeper leaving Plant and McDonald to close the innings at 189 for 9 after the 45 over allocation. This was a tremendous score after Lossie had Buckie on the ropes mid-innings.

Wood took 3 wickets, Boardman and Bradshaw two each and Wolton and Woodward one a piece.

Lossie made a steady start adding 35 runs before Buckie got a break with McDonald having Coe caught by Corsie at slip. Woodward then departed when Wilson trapped him LBW. When Ouldfield was caught behind from Shakeel’s bowling Lossie were 51 for 3.

Baines and Wolton worked away quietly and started to add runs keeping the RAF in the game, but Baines then holed out to Shakeel thanks to a Wall’s catch at mid off. Next ball saw Brown clean bowled and Boardman saw off the hat-trick delivery at 64 for 5.

Wolton’s idea was to pinch singles and keep the board ticking over and to a point he was allowed to do this with the field back for the big hits that were required. Along with Boardman 58 runs were added and the airmen had a chance of winning although the run rate was getting higher by the over. Chances had to be taken.

It took a good ball from Corsie to beat Wolton and bowl him. An inside edge may have helped him on his way and with him went Lossie’s hopes despite Boardman being still at the crease. Whilst Boardman may have been the builder, Wolton was certainly the architect of a possible RAF victory.

Corsie struck again from the other end to remove Griggs who put the ball straight up and into the keeper’s gloves. Shakeel then bowled Boardman for 32 allowing Elmer to clean up the tail having Crampton caught behind and Wood bowled to win the game for Buckie. Lossie’s final score was 131 All Out. Woodward, Baines and Wolton all scored 20 to back up Boardman, but the ask was too much in the end.

Shakeel was his usual enigmatic self and claimed 4 wickets. Wilson put in a fine display of consistently accurate fast bowling over his 10 overs and took 3 wickets. Corsie had a brace and McDonald the other.

This was a good competitive match and a first class win for Buckie with every player contributing to the team success over the course of the game.

Thanks to F McLeod MBE for sponsoring this match.

Next Saturday the RAF of Kinloss visit the LGP for the match sponsored by J Robertson, Pozzi’s with a 1.00pm start. See you there.