Maych Report by Euan Smith

Highland went into this cup fixture, at Fraser Park, looking to extend an enviable recent record in the competition. Winners in 2015 & 2016, under JP's stewardship, thoughts were on an unprecedented hat-trick.

However, unpredictability has also been a strong suit for this Highland team and there was a lack of sharpness about their early play. Crabtree and Hoff not quite on the money, in the first few overs, and a decent start to the Buckie innings followed.

Corsie, in particular, showed early intent by taking Hoff off a length and emphatically driving him through mid on. However, the teenager responded brilliantly by beating the veteran outside his off stump, at least three times, before eventually getting the edge.

Hoff then added another two and Buckie's innings started to stall, as they reached 49/3 off 15 overs.

By this time Ruairidh had entered the attack and was bowling a cracking length and line. He was unlucky not to see earlier wickets, as a couple of chances were put down, but eventually got his just desserts. Buckie soon being pinned back to 62/5 off 21.

It was at this point that Highland didn't quite capitalise on their position but, in fairness, Walls had started to steady the ship for Buckie. He looked increasingly assured, as he picked off the bad ball and drove well through the covers.

Winkler offered him some slightly streaky support and Buckie managed to get something of a total to defend. Their innings finishing in 112/6 with Walls 43*. Hoff and Ruairidh returning figures of 3/19 and 2/10 respectively.

Another fine Cobbs tea followed, underneath the gleaning new banner that jim and crabbers had made a reality. Wolton and Smith went out to bat and it was felt that Buckie were around 25-30 runs below par. However, the early bowling was accurate and there was a bit in the way of sideways movement. Wolton, perhaps feeling the pressure slightly (or was it the new bat) gave a return catch to the bowler. Suddenly there was a game on our hands at 11/1 off 6 overs.

Groundsman wannabe Smith began to take some initiative and got Newlands away for a few through mid-wicket. However, he repeated a mistake he made at gordonstoun, by trying to turn a straightish ball to leg, and was given out lbw. The score now standing at 28/2 off 11.

The pace of the innings never really picked up in the next few overs and the experienced Corsie entered the attack. His introduction brought the further wickets of Francis and Crabtree, with Buckie now looking favourites with Highland on 40/4 off 16.

It was left to big Kacy to steady the ship and he managed to get a few shots away off Corsie. There was then arguably a big miscalculation by Buckie, as Corsie made way for 5th bowler (Webb) to bowl the 20th over.

You could see the thinking, with Buckie perhaps keen not to have part-time bowlers bowling from both ends, later in the match. However, it backfired spectacularly as a total of 42 runs were plundered from the 20th, 22nd and 24th overs! Suddenly Highland were back in the ascendancy at 96/6 off 24.

However, with Kacy already departed (26) Shah and skip (25) soon joined him. Nixon falling victim to the returning Corsie, albeit he had got him away for 10 runs in his first over back.

It was therefore all going to come down to the 28th over, to be bowled by Creamer (Webb and Winkler already being hit out of the attack). The Highland score was lying on 111/8 and they had just been denied two leg byes, which would have won them the game.

Ruairidh was now on strike but he was finding it difficult to get bat on ball'. A wide, however, followed and the scores were now tied. However, there was a further twist as Cameron was clean bowled by Creamer on the fourth ball.

Young Hoff entered the fray but after a swing and a miss, he too was clean bowled, however the umpires had called no-ball, Highland winning the match with one wicket to spare and Buckie being great sports in what must have been an agonising defeat.

Inverness Highland CC

Fraser Park

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