Sun, Sea and Sixes in Stonehaven.

Sunshine and Saturdays are a rare event in the North East though not quite as rare as a Mannofield 3's 4 game unbeaten run.

In the beautiful seaside setting of Mineralwell park Stonehaven Captain Johnston won the toss and inserted the home team. Stonehaven's openers Keith and Druit settled quickly putting away the bad ball that unfortunately kept being served to them all to frequently. Druit especially punished anything short or wide, he was however living dangerously as he was dropped by Findlay and D Elliott the latter drop being one Duncan wont be too quick to tell the grand kids about when reminiscing about his cricketing prowess.

Druit went on to his fifty and then quickly onto three figures with many a lusty blow with Keith seemingly happy to knock the ball around and letting Druit go big. Druit innings came to an end when he tried one more heave to cow from the offspin of Reddy but was caught excellently by S Elliott not to be confused with D Elliott on the boundary edge. The first wicket fell with Stonehaven on 141 from 29 overs and seemingly set for a substantial total. After the fall of the first wicket Stonehaven began to collapse, faced with the guile of Reddy and the vast experience of D Elliott runs dried up and wickets began to tumble.

The Stonehaven innings fizzled out and finished in the 45 over with a middle of the road 174 for 6. S Reddy the pick of the bowlers with 3-21.

The Mannofield reply started with the fall of both openers within the first 7 overs with the score only on 18 but Reddy and club veteran P Wood set to work putting together a 50 partnership in under 11 overs. Wood dispatching the bad ball to all parts with some flamboyant shots, Wood would finish his innings unbeaten with his innings consisting of 8 sixes a big hitter like Russell would of been proud of! The wicket of Reddy eventually fell for a well constructed 43 in the 28 over with the score at 133. With more work to do to see the team home Wood was joined by Rane who didn't take long to start playing shots in his usual attacking style. Wood and Rane guided the team home in the 37 over with little fuss and Wood finished 88 Not Out.

The game was played in good spirit with no incident of any note, the 3's team spirit alongside some talented performances has been the key to the successful start thus far.

Next week see's us away to Methlick where only another strong team performance will do for Victory!