1s Back to Winning Ways

Picture courtesy of David Potter.

Aberdeenshire won the toss and had no hesitation in choosing to bat on a pitch that look firm and flat. Openers Chris Venske and Calum Howard started cautiously against an accurate opening spell from Nel and Legget which induced edges from both openers, both chances being spilled at 2nd slip. The 50 partnership came up in the 13th over with Venske (28) stumped down the legside off a wide just 2 runs later.

Graeme Tomlinson joined Howard and the pair patiently built the Shire innings with a solid partnership of 92 from 119 balls. With the score on 144 Tomlinson (31) advanced down the pitch to seamer Legget and subsequently became Hislop's second stumping victim.

Howard had passed 50 by this point and with the aid of Cooray added a further 43 to the shire before falling for a well constructed 77 from 121 balls.

Harsha Cooray (pictured) continued his fantastic early season form with an unbeaten 63 from 53 balls and with the help of Kenny Reid (18) and Matt Hays (19*) the Dons posted an imposing 273-4.

The Dons got off to the perfect start with the ball as Daya Singh bowled yet another victim this season. Watsonian's Easton and Learmouth began the visitors fightback and took the score to 68 before a mix up allowed Adrian Neill to fire in a return from the boundary and Kenny Reid completed an easy run out. Hislop and Easton took the score to 84 before Harsha Cooray struck in his first over. This was to be the first of four wickets for Harsha (4-20 from 10) as he dried up the Watsonians reply and with the help of Chris Venske, Adrian Neill and Neil MacRae (1-17 from 6) turned the screw on the visitors.

Daya Singh (2-34 from 8) and Tyler Buchan (2-25 from 7.3) tied up the Watsonians innings on 145.

A return to winning ways for the Dons who head to Edinburgh next weekend to face Heriots who lie in 5th place.