(Apologies for late submission)

ATSSC and the Legends remain the only two unbeaten sides at the half way mark in the league, due to the Rebels suffering their first defeat of the season at Allan Park stadium. ATSSC remain at the top of the table by way of a greater margin. ATSSC and the Legends are still to meet on 21st July at Allan Park Stadium. The AECL had its first tie of the season in a high scoring encounter at Kings College, where Aberdeen University entertained Caledonian. There were also further wins for Ellon, Inn at the Park, the Knightriders and St Ronald.

ATSSC recorded a 16 run victory over the Gentleman Players of Rubislaw at the Links to maintain their 100% record. Batting first, ATSSC posted a total of 162 for 5 off 20 overs. In reply, GPoR fell short at 146 for 7.

Overcast, angry clouds and sunny spells could describe both the weather and the match as a much depleted Legends side greeted the Rebels in this top of the table clash. With three regular Legends missing through sickness or injury, it would prove a tough task against an unbeaten Rebels team. The competitive nature of the match was established early as the Dec Rebels opened with a blistering spell from Naru (2 for 24) who took out Grayson and Stark with his first two balls. The Legends were on the back foot much to the whooping and shrieking delight of the Rebels and to the consternation of local spinster at number 33, Miss Deboat. Hadden and Keith (23) steadied the ship but runs were coming slowly, too slowly for the Legends. Fine bowling from Rahul (2 for 18) and Mano (3 for 13) picked off the middle order wickets and the Legends were looking at a meagre total as the Rebels celebrated every wicket in style. The Legends needed help and it appeared in the form of experience, Butt and B Milne who along with Anderson put on a priceless 40 runs for the last wicket with Butt (22) and Anderson smashing 16 runs off the final over to reach 118 for 9. The Rebels were content with that total and raced to 52-2 off 5 overs as Naru (17) and Shree (32no) went to work. A tear trickled down Miss Deboat’s cheek as she saw her Legends struggling in the evening sun however a ray of hope arrived as Kapil was victim of a crazy run out and Sunny was bowled by Balsillie without troubling the scorers. Nerves and tempers were jangling on both sides as Debo (21) and Swapnil (24) dragged the Rebels back into the game and towards the winning post at 87 for 4 but it was now the Legends who were turning the screw with tight bowling from Anderson and Hadden (2 for 6) and although each Rebel run was greeted with howls of joy, each wicket that fell put further pressure on the tail. The last five Rebels batsmen only managed to put on 8 runs and requiring 13 off the final over, came up short (111 for 8) as S Milne used all his experience to restrict them to singles and the Legends zimmered out winners by 7 runs. Miss Deboat put on her Starwars DVD and smiled as she remembered the Hoff and his flashing blade.

Ellon recorded a comprehensive 84 run victory over Chevron at the Shed. Batting first, Ellon posted a daunting total of 173 for 5, with Aman (33 no) and T. Proctor (32 no) both retiring. Pick of the bowlers for Chevron were Parsant (2-19) and Zach (2-26). In reply, Chevron could only make 89 AO, with T. Donald retiring on 32. Pick of the bowlers for Ellon were R. Wade (3-20) and T. Proctor (2-13).

St Ronald recorded a comfortable 8 wicket victory over Dutchmill at DP2. Dutchmill batted first and posted a total of 103 AO, with O. Wood (30 no) and D. Bennett (27) the main contributors with the bat for the Mill. Pick of the bowlers for St Ronald were Edie (2-21) and Haile (2-9). In reply, St Ronald reached 106 for 2, with Vaj (31no) and Haroon (24no) top scoring for St Ronald. G. Jamieson was the pick of the bowlers for the Mill (2 for 20).

The first tied match of the season took place at Kings College between Aberdeen University and Caledonian. The sides could not be separated, both scoring 140-5 off 20 overs. Himanshu (31) and Cordiner (25) were the key batsmen for Caley, with Ervine (32no), Ninan (30no) and Anderson (30no) top scoring for the University side.

Grammar 98 could not build on last week’s victory, losing by 9 runs to Inn at the Park at DP3. Batting first, the Park posted a total of 147 for 5, with Sufyan (34no) and Sajid (33no) both retiring. Pick of the bowlers for G98 was J Garner (4-0-18-2). In reply, G98 reached 136 for 7, with J Garner capping a fine overall performance (32 no), accompanied by G Russell (32no). Masud was the pick of the bowlers for the Park (4-0-14-2).

The Knightriders recorded a comfortable 65 run victory over MCC at DP1. Batting first, the Knightriders posted a total of 168 for 8 for MCC to chase – a total that proved too much for MCC. Suman (31no), Selva (28), Sella (27no) and Aravind (23) all made key contributions with the bat for the Knightriders. In reply, MCC reached 103 for 8 in 20 overs, with Imtiaz scoring 34no.

Next week sees the return of the Oxy Cup, with matches to decide the semi-final line-up.