Both our first and second elevens emerged victorious from challenging fixtures on Saturday, as this thrilling season heads into its final month, with both sides leading their respective tables.

The battle for Strathmore Union supremacy continues to intrigue, with four clubs in close contention at the top: Aberdeenshire, Huntly, Crescent/Dunecht and Perth Doo’cot. We have still to play each of our fellow-challengers – Perth away, but hosting both Huntly and Crescent. Most bookies would probably judge us as favourites, but by the narrowest of margins at this stage.

On Saturday, there was no sign of nervous tension in our play, as Lewis’ side swept aside Meigle, in our most convincing performance of the season to date. The Perthshire villagers understandably opted for first use of a dry, hard wicket, but found our seam-bowlers a formidable force from the outset. This week, it was Izzy Bandara’s turn to impress with the new ball, striking twice early on to remove top-order batsmen; neither scored a run! Shortly thereafter, James Robb joined the attack, delivering his six overs for a mere 8 runs, thus taking control of proceedings. At the other end Lewis took the positive move, introducing the skillful wrist-spinner, Marcus Vila. This youngster imparts a lively level of spin on every delivery. When the complex elements of his action fall into place, he can be an immensely potent, attacking force. On Saturday, his flight and timing were spot-on, and the late-order Meigle players could not cope. Marcus was rewarded with the figures of 4 for 29, and Meigle were dismissed for just 126 runs.

Our reply was ruthlessly dismissive, as our openers, young Marcus again and the slightly older Ewan Davidson, built our first opening partnership of the season to pass one hundred runs. Marcus was eventually dismissed for an entertaining 54 runs, while the wily Ewan enhanced his average by batting through to the inevitable victory and an unbeaten knock of 55 runs. We ran out winners by nine wickets,

Meigle may not have been at their best on the day, but I was really impressed by every element in our game on Saturday. Confidence and hunger were evident throughout; we bowled and fielded excellently and this set the win up well. Our batting was highly efficient! Next week, we travel to Fife to meet Freuchie. Usually, this is a lovely place to bat; I would wager that our bold Skipper will fancy a knock there. Holding the slimmest of leads in a fascinating title race means there are no easy games, but I imagine the lads currently look forward to every fixture!

The success continued on Sunday in Perth, where Lewis’ team emerged as worthy winners in this season’s T20 Three Counties Cup. In the semi-final ‘Shire faced Dundee High in what turned out to be an extremely one-sided match. Despite a carefully crafted, undefeated knock of 51 runs by High School’s overseas player, Alexander Parthenis, our opponents could only manage a total of 124 runs. One reason for this modest figure was an amazingly tight spell of bowling by James Robb, who delivered his 4 overs for just 8 runs! In this format of the game, figures like that can win matches and Robbo’s spell undoubtedly put the High School on the back foot.

The Aberdeenshire reply had barely begun, when the result was put beyond all doubt, as our Director of Cricket, Kenny Reid, carried out a savage and sustained attack on the Dundee bowling. Ten boundaries, 4 maximums, 83 undefeated runs from only 36 deliveries – this was ferocious batting that ended this match in only ten overs. At the other end, Ewan Davidson scored a steady, safe 37 not out, doubtlessly relishing his partner’s stroke-play. This was a much easier victory than expected, but now there was a final to be played!

Crescent/Dunecht are surely this season’s most improved side.in the Union. They are legitimate challengers for the league title and recently outplayed our lads down at Guthrie Park. They had beaten Perth Doo’cot comfortably in their semi-final.

Our rivals batted first and Lewis made an immediate, key break-through, trapping opener Ahsan Ayaz for a duck. Crescent soon settled in to build their innings, until James Robb removed their talented, overseas player, Jesse Joseph Adams. Luke Bain and Izzy Bandara also stepped up to take wickets, as the Brechin side tried in vain to dominate our bowlers. Akhlaq Bashir later joined the attack and had a very successful short spell, claiming four victims at the death of Crescent’s knock.

The target for Aberdeenshire to lift this trophy again was 136 runs. Immediately, the Kenny Reid batting blitz started up again; this time he and Ewan amassed 60 runs in no-time, until the swash-buckling veteran missed one and departed for 38 runs, with the team in a very healthy position, almost half-way there and crucially, as it turned out, with Ewan Davidson still in place. Our efforts to sail peacefully through to a comfortable victory were hindered by the periodic loss of wickets. Thankfully, Ewan held on to his, as he fought his way to a vital half-century. Others did chip in and Jordan van den Berg batted resolutely with Ewan at the finale to see us over the winning line .

Great stuff, lads. Everyone in the club is behind you this season in your hunt for silverware!

This wonderful, trophy-winning triumph of our first eleven not-withstanding, the result of the weekend in my often less than humble opinion, was the crucial Grade 1 victory for our seconds out at Kemnay against Crescent/Dunecht. In recent years, our players have often struggled playing away from Mannofield; few of the away fixtures take place on a surface like our beloved Headquarters. Often, each of our sides have struggled to adapt. Playing a team as skilled as Crescent, currently sitting third in the league, on the Kemnay ground represented a huge hurdle that needed to be negotiated safely; on the line was our proud 100% record; more significantly, a slip up in this tie would place us in the chasing Bon-accord’s sights.

Crescent batted first and were indebted to useful knocks from Ankush Rattan, V Sood ( our fine, former player) and Ameer Abdullah Khan, but they struggled to cut loose and build a large total. We have several very useful bowlers in the seconds, and Skipper Rizwan was eager to praise the efforts of each on Saturday. In particular, he spoke glowingly of off-spinner, Clark Cameron. The President is in fine form at present and he dismissed four Crescent players in his spell on Saturday. There is a rumour, that there was a five-for there for Clarkie, but for a couple off fielding lapses. Ah! This cruel game that we love! The Crescent innings closed with 128 runs on the board – definitely gettable, but just how big a challenge would it be to seal these vital points?

First team hero last week at Forfar, David Gamblen found himself the unlucky victim of our current, highly competitive team selection process. His consolation was a place at the head of the order in Rizwan’s side, and everyone who knows Gambo’s approach to batting would realise that he would be an excellent player to battle for important runs in challenging circumstances. On Saturday, for our club’s needs, David was in the best place!

Alongside Oscar Vila, David built a 35 runs partnership, setting the side on its way. Later in the innings, Ashfaq Bashir stood firm and pitched in with an important knock, but the lads found themselves on a challenging surface against a team with three skilled spin bowlers. In a tense finish, it required a ninth wicket partnership of 26 runs by Harry Mapplebeck and Clark to edge to team through to an extremely well-fought victory!

Great stuff, Lads! I hope the firsts will forgive me, but I think this was our result of the week! Next week, you are back at home against Grampian 2. This amazing record still stands!

The thirds were rained off on Sunday and next week they invite Aberdeen Tigers to play on Mannofield. The visitors are among the title contenders this year; a tough tie is in prospect!

On Saturday, the fourths go to the Duthie Park to meet Stoneywood/Dyce. Our rivals have had the edge in the previous meetings this season; it would be a great time to change that!

Next week, our wonderful under 15s head off to York to face challengers from the best teams in the North of England. It was immensely pleasing to see that fantastic response from the cricket supporters in the club to their appeal for financial support to make this long trip. Thanks to every member who helped. To Phil Wood, Rahul Chandu, all the magnificent players and coaching team, these donations in a small way show you the respect and admiration that we all have for your efforts and achievements!

As always, very best wishes to all our players, striving to make 2026 a great year for Aberdeenshire Cricket Club!