preloader-img

Eastern Premier League: Week Five

Cricket Scotland @CricketScotland
May 25, 2019 5 years

League Standings

GRANGE star Gordon Goudie admitted it had required deep resolve for his side to avoid a shock defeat at the hands of his boyhood club.

For much of the contest at Peoples Park, Stoneywood-Dyce had a firm hand on the tiller. But Goudie – with the stout assistance of Dylan Budge – turned the tide when it mattered to seal a crucial win.

He said: “I always enjoy going back there, but at 70 for five chasing 195, the picture wasn’t looking too great for us – especially with rain around.

“We were well adrift of the D/L run-rate, so Dylan and I realised we had to dig ourselves in and play our natural game if we were to have any chance of coming out on top.

“Thankfully we managed to stay out in the middle to see the job done, but it was a tough game of cricket.”

Goudie raced to his 50 in just 29 balls, featuring a six and five fours. He was followed by his more circumspect partner, who reached the milestone from 75 balls.

The pair continued in the same vein to make sure of the win in the 33rd over with Goudie undefeated on 85 and Budge on 56 – a superb stand of 129.

Seamer Euan Small shrugged off his brilliant bowling spell and insisted Arbroath’s success against Stew-Mel had been a true team effort.

Small snatched five cheap wickets as the Edinburgh side were curbed to 103 all out at Lochlands. The home men then overcame the elements and apparent delaying tactics of the visitors.

Small stated: “On a personal level, it was one of my best performances, however everyone in the side played his part.

“We have a great team spirit and positive buzz around the dressing room just now and we are really enjoying playing together. The slow over rate was frustrating, but I thought the umpires did a great job in making sure the match was completed. 

“We had bowled through the same type of weather.” 

Arbroath surged to the win in the 18th over with just two men out. Hayden Laing (42) and Matty Parker (37 not out) ultimately blunted the Stew-Mel attack.

The only other fixture to defy the elements was at Myreside, where Watsonians heaped another dose of misery on Aberdeenshire.

Zach Place emerged as the home all-round hero. First, he hit 80 to help Sonians reach 193 for three in only 35 overs. Then he snatched three wickets as Shire fell 33 short.

Most Popular News

Latest Videos