Wilson blows Banchory away

Portcullis's new strike bowler was in tremendous form today and led the way as his side finished off another successful season in fine style.

Banchory lost the toss and were invited to bat on a fine afternoon at Burnett Park. Campbell and Abbott opened the batting in a determined fashion. Campbell has often proved to be a stumbling block for Portcullis bowlers in the past but today was to be different. Grant Huitson opened the bowling but was struggling with his run up and consequently his line as well. It didn't matter. Fellow opening bowler Craig Wilson removed both openers in one over in one of the finest spells of fast bowling ever witnessed by those present. Banchory's batsmen were in shock, as were the whole of the Portcullis side.

The effort required meant Wilson needed a rest and Brett Dods and Sean O'Donnell came on to bowl after 10 overs. They were unable to maintain the start Wilson had given them and Washington and Pillia set about the bowling with some very attacking play. O'Donnell was soon replaced by David Bowie in an attempt to stem the flow of runs, but Banchory continued to score quickly. The score cruised past 100 in the 21st over and Portcullis desperately needed a wicket.

Huitson was recalled and achieved the required break through, having Pillia excellently caught by Paul Brown, diving forward at short midwicket. With Wilson also back on, Portcullis were able to put the brakes on.

Huitson was unable to take any more wickets and Portcullis were relying heavily on Wilson. He did not disappoint. 3 more wickets ripped the heart out the Banchory batting, including Washington caught and bowled for 58.

With only the tail left, Wilson was given a well deserved rest and Alan Dobey and Paul Brown were given the task of finishing off the Banchory innings and they proved more than capable, taking the last 4 wickets for 13 runs in 3 overs.

The final total of 178 was challenging, but when Banchory were on 111 for 2 in the 23rd over it could have much more. A good comeback by Portcullis then, led by Wilson who finished with a career best 5 for 37 and well supported by Dobey with 3 for 5.

Ed Collins continued in his new roll as opening bat, this time in partnership with Bob Adie. Portcullis set off at a snails pace, and seemed to be attempting to put Banchory to sleep. Unfortunately it was Adie who nodded off first and he was clean bowled by Pillia in the 4th over, with the score still on 0. Simon Percival was next in and got the scoreboard moving with a fine 2 through point. Collins took the hint and started playing some attacking shots as well as the score began moving. Percival didn't last long though, and was bowled by Pennington in the 9th over for 2. If Banchory thought this was the start of the famous Portcullis collapse they were soon to be disappointed as this brought Andy Prentice to the crease. Prentice has struggled for form recently and was moved down the order in an attempt to find some runs. And that is just what he did.

Pennington continued to bowl excellently, but took no more wickets and finished with 1 for 14 off 8 overs. Pillia at the other end however could not maintain the good start he had made and Prentice and Collins gradually increased the scoring rate up to the required 4 an over.

When Pennington was replaced by Wilson runs began coming from both ends and the weakness of the Banchory bowling attack was exposed. Bowlers were regularly changed around in an attempt to find a break through, but they came no closer than when Miles dropped Collins.

Collins and Prentice took the score on to 172, a partnership of 150, when Prentice was tempted to come down the wicket once too often to Abbott and was smartly stumped by Washington, but not before he had top scored with 77. It was an excellent innings and just what was needed at the time.

With only 7 required to win, next man in Brett Dods looked determined to finish it off in 2 balls. The plan started well as he dispatched his first ball to the boundary for 4. Sadly that was as good as it got as the next ball was dispatched straight to Campbell and the remaining Portcullis batsmen began frantically putting on pads as Grant Huitson strode to the crease. But the wobble was over. A 2 off his first ball tied the scores and left Collins to score the winning run, carrying his bat for a fine 69.

An excellent allround performance by Portcullis who fought well to stay in the match when Banchory were threatening to take the game away from them and then timed their reply to perfection with some brutal batting by Collins and Prentice.

It may be the last time these 2 sides meet for a while as Banchory were already relegated before today's match and play next year in Grade 4. A shame, as games against Banchory are always enjoyable and Burnett Park is one of the best grounds in grade cricket.

Depending on other results and a rumoured merger, Portcullis may still be promoted to Grade 2, but regardless of that, this has been the best season yet for Portcullis and continued the improvement begun last year.

Sunday, 27 August, 2006