Close match against Turiff Ended in Draw

Nice sunny day out in home ground Duthie Park 3,Portcullis won the toss and captain Kris has no hesitation in electing to bowl first on wet wicket which might offer swing.It did offer some bounce and movement initially and Turirff opening batsmen were cautious in the beginning. Kris provided the first breakthrough ,catch taken by Coxie in midwicket.Turriff batsmen eventually got into their groove and started reading the pace of the wicket .They started attacking portcullis bowlers and a nice little 3rd wicket was formed which laid the foundation for Turriff Innings. This prompted the first bowling change bringing Alan Dobey into the attack replacing coxie.The has been paid off as the 3rd wicket partnership which was broken by Allan Dobey with alex completing the catch at gully. Alan along with Bari who replaced Kris from other end bowled in tandem and runs started to dry off.

Kris brought himself back into the attack replacing Dobey which yielded the return in the first over itself adding more pressure to Turriff. Portcullis bowlers really tightened their grips with all the bowlers finishing will decent figures.Kris who continued his good form finished with an impressive 4 for 24 and with Dobey chipping in with 3 for 47.Coxie and Mohammad took two and one wickets respectively.Turiff was all out for 137 in 42 overs giving portcullis 48 overs to chase the target.

Portcullis start was shaky with 3 quick wickets gone with 11 runs in first 15 overs. Turiff opening bolwers offered pace and movement of the wicket and portcullis batsmen find it really hard to adjust in the intial overs with new ball. Kris and Collinson Senior batted sensibility taking ones and two with Kris hitting some boundaries in between to catch up with run rate.Score board was ticking over nicely after the initial collapse.After Collinson senior got out coxie joined with Kris and took the attack to Turrif.Portcullis started to smell the victory but Kris's wicket went down against the run of play with score of 84 on board in over 32 and in same over there was another blow when Dobey was caught out for nought .

Coxie took the responsibility to steer the ship and he was well supported by classy Adie.The both started playing positively and fought for a win and took the score to 126 in 47 overs,needing 12 to win in the last over.But Turiff Bowler G Ducan bowled a magnificent last over giving only 3 runs and took 2 wickets of Adie and Collinson junior.Adie made a brilliant 16 with one boundary and Coxie remain unbeaten on a well made 35.

It was a match played in right sprit.Portcullis fought hard for the victory and played positively with all the batsmen trying for a win and playing for draw was out of question at all stages.All in all a good result against a strong bowling side.Team is continuing its great from and team sprit.

Sunday, 30 May, 2010