ACC 2ND XI (Mannofield) vs Portcullis

Stand out bowling from Isira (Izzy) backs up solid Mannofield batting to earn 2’s an emphatic victory against Portcullis!

Summary:
Game 3: Mannofield v Portcullis (40 overs) at Mannofield.

Mannofield (30 pts): 255 for 6 in 40 overs.
I Yahathugoda 77, J Dickinson 41, K Yahathugoda 31, K Vijayakrishnan 2 for 40, H Murphy 2 for 46,

Portcullis (11 pts): 109 all out in 30 overs.
K Vijayakrishnan 31, E Chisholm 21, R Bandara 3 for 2, I Bandara 3 for 11, K Yahathugoda 1 for 20

Note: Games 1 & 2 against Fraserburgh (home) & Methlick (away) were called off due to the terrible weather that afflicted most of May 2021.

At the Toss
With the weather set fair and the memories of a dismal May fading in the glorious Aberdeenshire sunshine both teams turned out with high spirits in anticipation of a full days Cricket; we were not to be disappointed!
At the toss and by mutual agreement Portcullis offered Mannofield the opportunity to bat first and set a total, this was seen as everyone’s best option to make the most of the day and credit to Portcullis for this.
Mannofield 2nd XI also welcomed John Everitt (Derbyshire) to the side as a last-minute replacement for Sampath Rajapaksha. Notable thanks here for Dicko on keeping a spare Cricketer around just in case.

Mannofield Innings
Indy and Ken opened the Mannofield innings and got off to a solid start, although it was noticeable that Indy was to some extent fighting against his big-hitting instincts. Together father and son made an opening partnership of 80 before Ken was bowled by the pick of the Portcullis bowlers K. Vijayakrishnan.
Shay joined Indy at the crease, back in the team keeping for the first time this season and the pair went about their business with enthusiasm. Shay clipped a quick 23 before falling and Indy opened up with some well hit 4’s and a 6, Indy making 77 before coming down the pitch at the Portcullis spinner and finding himself stumped.
John “Dicko” Dickson was next in after Shay and anchored the middle order with a nicely played 41 being partnered by Sajan (24) and brother-in-law John Everitt (25) before he himself fell.
Cameo’s from Chandu and Chandana rounded off the innings in strong sunshine with 2nds setting Portcullis a formidable 256 to win.

Portcullis Innings
Bright sunshine, a lack of helmets and a shaky start was the main feature of the Portcullis innings.
Mannofield opened the bowling with pace duo K Yahathugoda and I Bandara and by the end of the 12th over Portcullis were 36-4, Ken taking one and Isira a fine 3 wicket haul all in one over. Isira narrowly missed out on a hat-trick from this magical 6 ball spell. While both young men looked composed in their actions it has to be said that on this day Isira bowled with a grace and accuracy rarely seen and thoroughly deserved his figures of 3-11 by the end of his 6 over spell which also included one maiden.
The Portcullis middle order put up some solid resistance with their batsman 6 and 7 making 31 and 21 respectively but they hadn’t counted on Bandara Snr whose stuttering run up bamboozled their lower order as he cut off the tail with 3 for 0 from his first over and once again a Bandara missed out on a hat-trick by one ball! Unfortunately, it went downhill for Ranga from there, finally finishing on a flaky 3-2 from his two overs.

I & R Bandara 6 – 13!

Sajan Allawattage who then bowled 4 skillful overs was perhaps unlucky not to take more wickets, (although his pressure had undoubtedly counted at the other end) finished off the Portcullis innings with their number 11 out caught for a duck.
Portcullis all out 109 in the 29th over.
To focus above, on the bowling does not however, sufficiently recognise the all-round team performance in the field.

The Post-Match Presentation
Mannofield Man of the Match should probably be the aforementioned I & R Bandara for combined figures of 6 for 13. But for the sheer grace and accuracy of his bowling Isira gets the nod. Well done Izzy!
However cake and Medals must be given for Indy’s 77 from 51 balls (150.9 SR).
Portcullis’ notable performer was K. Vijayakrishnan scoring 31 with the bat and 2-40 from 9 very accurate overs bowled.
Several members of Portcullis joined us for some post-match refreshments in the late evening sunshine and we rounded off a perfect days Cricket in traditional style.
Well played all.

Back in the Pavilion
Since taking on the mantle of 2nd Team Captain for the 2021 season Indika has focused on accountability and commitment in the field: have fun, make noise but commit to your work with positive attitude and discipline!
This ethos paid off in spades in this head-to-head with Portcullis. Mannofield were lively in the field, didn’t fade in the middle overs and showed a commitment to containing runs and taking catches that didn’t allow the opposition to settle. Overall, with the excellent performances from the bowlers not withstanding this was a solid team win.

Reported By: RT