Venske smashes SMRH

Aberdeenshire lost the toss once again and were asked to bowl first on a pitch which looked flat and true.

The Dons continued their strong early season form with the ball and were able to restrict the visitors in the early stages as Tyler Buchan and Ryan West reduced SMRH to 44-2 off 20 overs.

Hayes van der Berg was introduced from the Hutcheson Terrace end and put together a tidy spell of seven overs, 18-2 including the vital wicket of Cedric English.

Wickets were spread evenly among the bowlers as SMRH batted out their overs to post 176-8.

The Dons got off to a great start in reply, with nine runs coming off the opening over and Chris Venske and Calum Howard (23) continued serenely through ninteen overs as they put together an impressive hundred partnership.

With the score on 103 Howard was bowled by English, and van der Berg soon followed him back to the pavilion being beaten by a big turner from visiting pro Moses.

Harsha Cooray (34*) joined Venske and provided good support as the pair built a 71 run partnership to take the Dons over the line to victory.

Chris Venske finished on a superb 102* which consisted of 9 boundaries and 3 maximums. Venske was in utter control throughout his chanceless innings as he posted his maiden century at Mannofield. It was a close run thing towards the end with runs required running out but Venske sealed his hundred and the match with a huge six into the gardens.

A great victory to back up last weeks home win, setting us up nicely for our trip to Arbroath next weekend.