The Legend's unbeaten run in the AECL is finally at an end after suffering defeat to last year’s champions Inn at the Park at Allan Park Stadium. The Legends remain at the top of the table by 2 points however both the Dec Rebels and ATSSC have a game in hand. With ATSSC sitting out this week, it was the DeC Rebels keeping the pressure on the Legends with a comprehensive victory over Grammar 98 at the Shed.  With the Legends not having a league match next week and only concentrating on their Oxy Cup semi-final on Monday, a win for the Rebels in a difficult league match against the Dare Devils on Tuesday will take the Rebels to the top of the table due to their far superior margin. ATSSC remain very much in the mix and are still to face the Legends on 21st July.

Caledonian maintained their fine form this season, overcoming Chevron at the Links. There were also wins for Ellon against Aberdeen Uni and Dutchmill against MCC.

DeC Rebels beat Grammar 98 by 80 runs at the Shed, a win that significantly improves their margin. The Rebels batted first, scoring an impressive 176-3 off 20 overs, with key contributions from Sunny (32no), Kapil (32no) & Vicky (26no). Pick of the bowlers for G98 was Lumsden (1 for 28 off 4 overs). In reply, G98 were 96 AO, with G. Jamieson (35no) top scoring with the bat. Pick of the bowlers for the DeC Rebels were G.Singh (3 for 20 off 4 overs) and Bala (2 for 17 off 4 overs).

Ellon beat Aberdeen University by 35 runs at Kings College. Ellon posted a formidable total of 163-5 against the University side, with Aman (35no), C Watson (35no) and C Woolrige-Gordon (32no) all retiring. Pick of the bowlers for the home side was P Irwin (2-33). In reply, Aberdeen University made 128 AO, with R. Van Oorshot retiring on 30. Pick of the bowlers for Ellon was R. Wade (2 for 7).

Dutchmill beat MCC by 17 runs at the Shed. Dutchmill batted first and recovered to 107-8 off 20 overs, having at one point been 50-7. M. Shepherd (El Presidente) retired on 30. The bowling honours for MCC went to Brajesh Sing (2 for 9 off 4), Shiraz (2 for 11 off 4) and Vijay (2 for 14 off 4). In reply, MCC fell short, scoring 91 AO with key contributions from Vijay (35no) and Shiraz (20no). Pick of the bowlers for the Mill was R. Taylor (2 for 13 off 4 overs).

Caledonian’s fine form this season continued with a 7 wicket victory over Chevron at the Links. Chevron batted first and posted a very credible total of 138-5 off 20 overs, with key contributions from Tim Donald (30no) and A Thompson (33no). However Caledonian replied in fine style, reaching 142 for 3 with an over in hand.

Not being satisfied with just one victory this week, the Knightriders met Gordonians in a friendly. Gordonians batted first and posted a total of 79-5 in 16 overs. In reply, the Knightriders reached 80-6 in 11 overs to record a 4 wicket victory.

Having disposed of them in the Cup, the Legends felt confident as they welcomed Inn at the Park for their league encounter at Allan Park stadium, however they were at less than full strength with no fewer than 7 regulars missing including the entire bowling strike force of Balsillie (Miami), Hoff Thomson (nightshift), Milne (airborne) and Forbes (on a boat somewhere in Montrose!!!). Squad rotation was necessary for the Legends (as was advertising for players on the ACA Grades forum!!). Inn at the Park on the other hand were able to field a near full strength line-up for the first time this season.

The toss yet again went in the Park’s favour and Sajid and Mush opened against the Legends on a delightfully warm and sunny evening. Mush went straight into run-out mode again in the first over, but the throw-in was off-target and went for 4 overthrows. Sajid was fortunate to be dropped at long on when he was on 16, but he soldiered on to 30 with a big hit to long-on which was well fielded to save the boundary. Mush was riding his luck a few times, scrambling to get into his ground to avoid the run-outs. He battled to a valiant 25, which included the only 6 of the innings, before Will judged him LBW (although there may have been a wee inside edge first).

Mudassar was next up and added six singles before a slower ball hit middle and off stumps. Amit added a boundary and a couple of singles before a donkey drop sailed up and over onto the top of the stumps.  Masud was looking in the mood but so was Anderson's bowling (3 for 21) and the big hitter was victim of a spectacular catch from Cults team-mate Gilly and was sent back to the hutch. Gillanders’ fabulous catch on the boundary disposed of another Cults team mate Aqeel, who ground his way to 8 which was a far lower score than the much bumping of gums anticipated the previous week in the nets. Sofyan meanwhile soldiered on steadily to add a solid 21 before Will had his finger up again for another LBW decision.  Bill was dropped behind in the 18th over but carried on to 6 not out. Guru at the other end added another 5 not out to post a respectable total of 136-6.

The Legends, including Z with his new Mongoose bat, were content with the total and felt confident of reaching it with time to spare. In the first over of the reply, Mush put down a catch opportunity at cover point off Masud (1 for 14 off 4). However a massive umpiring decision from the bowling of Arshad sent Milroy back to the pavilion victim of a trigger fingered LBW, which even Miss Deboat saw was missing Inverurie never mind the stumps!!! Grayson was the next victim for Arshad, as yet another massive LBW judgement sent him to join Milroy in the "it couldn't have been even close" club. The assembled partisan crowd considered themselves better sighted than the umpire. At around this time both umpires relinquished their positions owing to the barracking from the sidelines. Keith then fell charging and Spearman was bowled. The Legends were not amused and Gilly was in a belligerent mood as he smashed Arshad (2 for 31 off 3) all over the park, including trying to remove Masud’s hands with a flat 6 attempt, which Masud failed miserably to hang on to. He was finally despatched when Arshad made no mistake this time at deep mid on, off the bowling of Sajid, who bowled another victim with the next delivery. The hat trick ball unfortunately went for 5 wides!! Sajid's third wicket was off a top edge high to Arshad under the trees at third man.

Andy C continued his good form with a wicket from his 2nd ball; the batsman grumbled as he went off, clearly irritated by Mush's delighted reaction. The last ball of that over caught the batsman plumb LBW. An otherwise tight spell was spoiled by a wayward wide that went to the boundary. A further wicket came when Arshad safely held a catch at long on. With 121 on the scoreboard, the pressure was on Andy C (4 for 14 off 4) in the last over as the Legends required 14 to win. However Z's Mongoose bat was flailing about miserably and missing Andy’s pies. Andy’s new spikes were working a treat, with 2 singles, a dot ball, and then the innings was over with 2 balls to spare. So a well earned victory for Inn at the Park by 13 runs. The 27 extras conceded made the Legend’s score look more respectable.

Miss Deboat hugged her favourite violet scented pillow to her bosom and curled up tightly in bed. Despite the warmth of the night she felt cold and confused. Her Legends had been well beaten for the first time and it was a bitter pill to swallow. Miss DeBoat fell into a fitful sleep..........her mobile phone on silent.........she didn't notice the urgent flash of an incoming call.