Captain Dave Long Sr. lost the toss and Stonehaven were put in to bat. This proved to be fortunate, as the game would otherwise have been very short.
Bruce Findlay and Steve Crozier opened the batting again but with the score on 11 Crozier was bowled for 5 by Burnett. David Crozier then joined Findlay and these two were able to regain the initiative with some positive play. Although Burnett continued to bowl well (finishing his ten overs with one wicket for 17 runs) the other bowlers were not able to maintain the same level of consistency. Poor balls were regularly dispatched to the boundary, including several mighty sixes from Crozier. After a valuable partnership of 69 Findlay was bowled by the Dunecht captain McBurnie for 15.
Paul Hay then joined Crozier, hitting his first delivery for 6. The two continued to punish some wayward bowling, but after a partnership of 25 runs in only 24 balls Hay was bowled by Curry for 8, bringing Brian Campbell to the crease for the first time this season. Over the next ten overs both batsmen unleashed some powerful shots, scoring 63 runs at more than a run a ball. Crozier increased his tally of sixes to 7, but with his score on 94 (off 92 balls) he was bowled by Joseph unaware of how close he was to his maiden century.
Matthew Colvin was unfortunate to be run out off his first shot, a direct hit from mid-off, but this brought David Long Jr. to the crease and he joined in the fun hitting two sixes and a four in his valuable 21 before being bowled by Moat. David Garden joined Campbell and these two pushed the score up to 217 after 40 overs, with Campbell 42 not out, and Garden 2 not out.
David Long Jr. and Calum Findlay again led the bowling attack for Stonehaven. Findlay found his line and length immediately and with his pace and bounce produced some unplayable deliveries. The fielders supported the bowlers well and kept the batsmen under intense pressure from the start. In his third over Findlay clean bowled Donald after teasing him with a slow ball the previous delivery. Long then had Moat caught by David Crozier trying to hit out. Findlay had the dangerous-looking H. Duncan caught by Garden at point with the most spectacular diving catch ever seen in the second eleven. C. Duncan was then run out by a brilliant direct hit from Paul Hay and the score was 29 for 4 after 13 overs.
Findlay was rested after 6 overs (with 2 wickets for only 4 runs), replaced by Daniel Colvin. Long was now in top gear, and produced his most devastating bowling in his last 4 overs. He had McBirnie caught at silly mid-off by Steve Crozier, clean bowled Winstanley 4 balls later, then had Carlson caught by Garden. He finished with figures of 4 for 27. At the other end Colvin had Burnett caught by Steve Crozier.
At 35 for 8 off 19 overs Dunecht's chances had gone, but the tail-end did not give up without a fight. Curry and Chatta both attacked and produced the biggest partnership of 30. After a break Daniel Colvin came back on and took the remaining wickets. Curry was caught by Steve Crozier in the covers for 20, then Joseph was clean bowled with the score on 67 in the 31st over. Daniel finishing with figures of 3 for 10 off 6 overs.
Again this win was the result of a team effort. Everyone played their part in the field, the batsmen and bowlers dominated the opposition, and the squad seems to get stronger every week.
The next game for the second XI will again be against Dunecht at home next Saturday in the league. The match ball was sponsored by Brickfield Motors Ltd.