Stonehaven had lost only one match so far whereas Banchory had won just one and were clear underdogs.
Banchory started the innings with T. Donald and N. Gourlay, however, the partnership was broken when N. Gourlay misstimed a full toss for a cat
ch when the score was only 14.
This brought captain W. Ali who started his innings with confidence, scoring all around the ground.
The second wicket fell when T. Donald departed scoring 18, on a ball that apparently kept low and went through the gate.
This brought S. Hasan who started on a defensive note but kept the ends changing.
The 3rd wicket saw a brisk partnership of 57 between the two batsmen.
However, as soon as their confidence started building for a sizeable score W. Ali was bowled out on a slow delivery, after scoring a delightful knock of 57.
The next two batmen M. McPherson and Dinesh didn't contribute were quickly dismissed, leaving S. Hasan to lose his cool at the other end and be stumped off the bowling of A Wilson, for 34.
T. Taggart and A. Starling also fell cheaply to A Keith, whose good line and length saw him dismiss four Banchory batsmen for 39 in his 11 overs.
At one point Banchory was struggling with 137 for 8 when the last three batsmen added 50 runs to the total.
Thanks to a wonderful display of batting from J. Miller (24) and well supported by T. Wilkinson and R. Valentine both scoring 10 each, Banchory finished at 187 for 9 in 46 overs.
With a sizable target of 187 for Stonehaven to chase, Banchory was delighted when J. Miller bowled their opening batsmen A. Kemp for 0 in his first over.
A. Keith however, kept on countering the attack but fell to T. Wilkinson's flighting delivery, brilliantly caught by A. Starling of 34.
None of the other batsmen from Stonehaven posed a threat thanks to controlled bowling and fielding by Banchory .
Stonehaven went looking for a draw after losing five wickets for 87 runs in the 23rd over.
Some nippy bowling from S. Hasan brought Banchory closer to victory when the 9th wicket fell in the second last over of the innings.
S. Hasan took 3 for 20 in his 7 overs, well supported by T. Wilkinson and R. Valentine who contributed with pairs of wicket respectively.
On the last ball of the final over, A Gardiner gave a chance at short 3rd man but there was no one to catch it and the match eneded in a draw.
The next encounter for Banchory will be with the top rated Cults 1st XI who are only second to Bons in the table.
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