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Banchory's young guns steal the show
BANCHORY'S Burnett Park was a cauldron last Saturday but, despite the heat, both teams served up a fantastic match and it was a game in which some of Banchory's batch of talented youngsters came of age.
Stand-in skipper Tim Wilkinson won the toss and asked the visitors to bat first. It was immediately obvious that the hard, dry wicket was batsman-friendly so the home side's previously fragile bowling attack would be severely tested.
As it happened the bowling was impressive, restricting Crescent to an average of 5 an over and the standard of fielding showed real spirit and commitment, particularly from the youngsters.
Openers John Skedge and Richard Swabey were going nicely when 15-year-old Donald Redpath struck in his second over, bowling Swabey (28) with a superb yorker.
Next to go was Skedge (34), magnificently run out by a gazelle-like Zack Crawley. Redpath then clean bowled Murray (15) and the score was 110 for 3.
The twin spin attack of Wilkinson and Chris James kept Crescent subdued but it was Mark Herbert who started taking wickets. Signs of his almost total lack of bowling form were evident, but he managed six overs and took 4 for 40 in a partial return to his old self.
Meanwhile Crescent's Mark Potts was proving to be an unorthodox thorn in Banchory's plans and he had bludgeoned his way to an impressive 99 not out when he ran out of overs. Banchory's bowling figures were: Crawley (0 for 24), Wilkinson (0 for 42), James (1 for 43), Donald Redpath (2 for 51) and Will Redpath (0 for 16).
Banchory's task of scoring 222 in 46 overs wasn't helped by a bad start when Will Rowett (4) was bowled round his legs and Zack Crawley (6) was yorked.
Steve Redpath (19), in a welcome return to form, helped steady the ship with Tim Wilkinson, but when the former was also yorked, and Mark Herbert (3) paid his customary brief visit to the wicket, Banchory were in trouble at 71 for 4.
But Wilkinson and Welshman Chris James had other ideas and together fashioned a rapid 64-run partnership, being particularly severe on any loose bowling.
Wilkinson (54) was first to go, having smashed 10 fours. When the elegant James (37) was caught and bowled by Swabey the Deesiders were 157 for 6 with only youth and inexperience to come.
What happened next warmed the cockles of everyone's hearts! Firstly, Adrian Rowett, who hadn't put bat to ball for over a year, hit a useful, quick-fire 16 including a swept six before the two 15-year-olds, Henry Rowett and Donald Redpath, completely unfazed, continued the momentum.
Rowett (19) played some great shots and Redpath (20 not out) was coolness personified. Dave Abbott (7 not out) supported Redpath who, with just four overs to go, hit the winning four.
There are all kinds of victories but the manner of this one will stay long in the memory. The man (or boy) of the match was the excellent Donald Redpath.
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Weather for Banchory
Monday 21 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 3 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 7 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
