Shire topple Grange

Aberdeenshire travelled to Grange to open their 2013 league campaign. Due to some overnight and early morning rain the start was delayed until 3.20pm with the overs reduced to 30 a side. With one boundary set at 45m a high scoring match was on the cards.

The Dons won the toss on a wicket which had been undercover for a couple of days. Openers Tyler Buchan & Daya Singh bowled with good control to restrict Grange to 29-2 off the opening ten overs, with both bowlers inducing edges to keeper Kenny Reid.

Tony McKenna and Harsha Cooray continued the good work limiting Grange's scoring chances, McKenna removing danger man McCullum in the 15th over to leave Grange at 51-3 at the midway point. Josh Edwards (31) and Will Edwards (37) combined to raise the scoring rate but Buchan and Singh managed to prevent any late fireworks to close out the Grange innings on 142-6.

The Dons reply got off to a stuttering start with Howard dropped then caught behind in consecutive deliveries. Three small partnerships formed but the regular wickets fell as Tomlinson (6) Venske (24) and Reid (6) all struggled with the lack of pace in the wicket.

Harsha Cooray (70 from 73 balls) and Neil MacRae (33 from 33 balls) combined perfectly to steady the ship and lead Aberdeenshire to victory through a combination of good shot selection and some devastating hitting from Harsha including 2 sixes over extra cover.

After the early rain it would have been easy to conceede the day to the elements, especially with Scotland hosting Essex on the ground the next day, but credit to the Umpires and Groundstaff for ensuring a game was possible, and what a game it was!