QC Ellon Gordon 198-6 (40 overs): S Middleton 46, Fraser 42*; Wilson 2-15
Banchory 2nd XI 199-5 (37.3 overs): Redpath 74, Gopinathan 45; Proctor 3-39

Banchory 2nd XI won by 5 wickets

With overcast skies and intermittent drizzle it appeared to be a bowling day - however just shy of 400 runs would be scored in 77.3 exciting Grade 3 overs.

After winning the toss and electing to bowl Banchory would be the first to experience a long afternoon in the field. Things got off to a cracking start when Proctor (0) was well caught by Abbott at mid-on from the bowling of the speedy Mohsin (1-23). It didn't take too long for the 2nd breakthrough, which came with Ellon on 47. Barrett (13), fresh from scoring a century two weeks ago, clipped Matthews (1-30) round the corner only to find the safe hands of Hart, who redeemed himself after his impressive drop earlier in the season against Crathie.

Two more wickets would come with opening batter Ovenstone (33) bowled by Hart (1-26) and Duffy (22) bowled by Brown (1-26), and at 93-4 the game was in the balance. However, Banchory could never quite manage to turn the screw, as too many four balls were punished by the Ellon batters. A solid 73 run partnership by S Middleton (46) and Fraser (42*) securely swung momentum the visitors way.

Wilson (2-15) claimed two valuable wickets at the end and in hindsight should have been brought on to bowl earlier. First Middleton was brilliantly caught by Mohsin at long-on and then Van Heerden's (0) defence was pierced. Wade (10) added some important runs at the end and Banchory were looking at a difficult run chase of 199 to win.

It is never fun chasing the ball around for 40 overs, but heads remained high in the field, and this was epitomised by young Ethan Crozier who never complained despite having to run from fine-leg to fine-leg, and occasionally gully, for 2 and a half hours! We salute you Ethan.

Ellon looked like they meant business after lunch. In the first over Redpath left a Wade delivery that missed the off stump by a whisker and momentum appeared to be firmly with the visitors when Hart (5) was excellently caught at gully by S Middleton.

However, a 2nd-wicket partnership of 110 between Redpath (74) and Gopinathan (45) put the hosts on the front foot. Things could have been different for Ellon had they taken their catches and if dangerous opening bowler Wade had not unfortunately pulled his hamstring. But Redpath and Gopinathan did a good job of punishing the bad balls - scoring 20 boundaries between them - and rotating the strike to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Gopinathan was caught at long-off and Redpath nicked one behind, attempting one big drive too many. But the partnership had done it's job of setting the stage for the middle order to finish the job.

Wiles (35*) guided the hosts home - crashing 5 boundaries to the fence. He was supported by Mohsin (15), who casually smashed his first ball over long-on for 6, and budding all-rounder Matthews (4*), who hit a lovely on-drive for 4 to ease all the pressure. Wiles hit the winning single and a fine victory was achieved with 15 balls to spare.

Next up we welcome 2nd Mannofield to Burnett Park for another Grade 3 clash.