Shire let winning position slip twice and pay the price

Aberdeenshire lost the toss and were asked to bowl first on a new wicket which had been soaking on Tuesday evening and still appeared slightly damp.

Arbroath started circumspectly against the new ball pairing of Daya Singh and Tyler Buchan and the score had only reached 8 runs from the opening 10 overs. It wasn't until the 15th over until Aberdeenshre finally found the breakthrough, Brendan Ford mistiming a drive to mid on off the bowling of Buchan.

34-1 quickly became 49-4 as Adrian Neill was introduced into the attack and clean bowled McLean, F.Burnett & Spink in quick succession.

A mini recovery was staged between Bartlett (31) and C.Burnett and 40 runs were added but on the stroke of drinks McKenna struck to remove Barlett, caught at short extra by Tomlinson.

This sparked another mini collapse and 89-5 became 109-8 as Cooray trapped Petrie and Peal LBW and Buchan had McGill caught behind. Calvin Burnett was proving harder to dislodged however and he shepherded the tail well on his way to making 66 and helping Arborath post 172.

Despite the late order runs, Aberdeenshire went into the break thinking 172 was a below par total and one that could be chased on a wicket that was improving.

The chase got off to the worst possible start as Chris Venske took a risky single in the ring and was run out via a direct hit (albeit in confusing/controversial circumstances) Howard began to repair the innings, batting beautifully, punishing anything with width to move the score along to 34 until partner Tomlinson was well caught in the gully off McGill.

Howard was to fall for a well made 40 attempting to clear the infield with the score on 74, which brought Reid and Cooray together and not for the first time this season the pair set about building a solid partnership of 56 through some patient and well placed strokeplay.

With the score on 130, and 43 required for victory, the off-spin of Greig Peal was introduced into the attack and swung the game back Arbroath's way as he induced Cooray (46) to hit over the top only to be caught on the edge of the ring. With his next ball Reid (26) was trapped infront and the tables had turned on the Aberdeenshire chase.

What followed can only be described as a woeful collapse as 130-5 became 158 all out. Credit to Arbroath who fought as if the title depended on it, but Aberdeenshire were left to contemplate what could have been had they been able to sniff out Arbroath for 120 or pushed home their advantage with the bat when well set.