A Win win situation!

Bon Accord were inserted on what was a damp wicket, however, openers Meres and Fazal dug in against some terrific bowling from Naru and Masud and somehow managed a respectable (in context) 33 run stand until Meres fell to the first of many many outfield catches to take wickets. The Cults bowlers then got well and truly on top as wickets fell at an alarming rate and The Bons were soon in the poop at 56 for 5.

Sekhar Vijapurapu (pictured) stopped the rot with some very patient batting and a couple of handy stands with Shiraz and then Malik swung some momentum back The Bons way and although the Cults attack finally bowled us out, the recovery from the tail had got the score up to a respectable 107.

Cults failed to get a decent start as Nawaz picked up the vital wicket of Kapil in the 3rd over and soon they too were discovering the joys of a difficult surface. The Bons bowlers roared into action with Fazal and Vijay Reddy bagging 7 wickets between them, thanks to a superb fielding performance with 3 catches for the dependable Rahul and an absolute cracker from Sekhar in the deep, even one-kneed hobgoblin Andy Meres managed to make some decent stops.

It looked like The Bons had the game won with the last wicket pair of Swapnil and Rahul at the crease and 30 runs required but Swapnil appeared determined to win the game by himself with 12 runs off Vijay's last over. With Rahul feeding his partner the strike it seemed like only a matter of time, but a piece of wicket keeping genius from skipper Andy Win sealed the match, a scamper and an accurate throw running out Rahul to leave Cults crestfallen, heartbroken etc..

A memorable final for many reasons and a game that both sides could've won and been worthy winners. Great credit goes to both sides for playing the game in a great spirit despite the highly tense match situation.

PREVIEW
Finally
Inverurie will be looking to hold onto 2nd place in Grade 1 to cap what has been a very good season for them, although it looks likely to be their last, assuming their merger with Kintore goes ahead. So not an easy game to end the season on and we'll need to be back on form if we're going to achieve our aim of finishing unbeaten in Grade 1.

Several Bons will be missing but our strength in depth (this season, at least) should give us every chance to win.

The Grizzly Bore

"BEST TWO BATTING SIDES IN THE GRADES???? DO ME A FAVOURRRR!!"