Ellon, on winning the toss, elected to bat, preferring to defend a total than chase it. As normal, S Davies and C White opened the innings and built an excellent partnership - they remained together for 20 overs, scoring 90 runs before White played o
ne loose shot and was caught at cover for 43.
It was, in many ways, this partnership that was the foundation for Ellon's victory as it removed any pressure from the incoming batsman and with 20 overs remaining it meant the team could set a formidable total.
Barratt joined Davies, and sadly they were only able to push the total onto 109 when Davies was out for 45 falling to an excellent catch.
Rain which was expected, interrupted the match for 40 minutes, but tea was taken and covers put on the square, so when play was able to resume quickly.
Arora and Barratt pushed the score along to 135 when Barratt was given out LBW for 26. H Wolrige Gordon joined Arora. This partnership only added 13runs as Arora was caught for 17.
Davies the Ellon captain swapped the batting order around, putting the big hitters up the order, so S White came in at no 6. In 3 overs these two pushed the score upto 165 before H Wolrige Gordon was out. C Watson, renowned for giving the ball a good smack, sadly failed on this occasion, contributing 3 runs to the score. Ellon were 174 for 6 with 3 overs left.
White then launched two colossal sixes, one of the bowling of Balsillie and the other off Hinchcliffe before being clean bowled. Ellon lost 2 more wickets but finished on a respectable total of 197 from their 40 overs.
WITH tea having been taken earlier, there was a 10 minute interval and Ellon took to the field.
Stonehaven opened with the dangerous Milroy and Balsillie. But again S White got rid of Milroy clean bowling him 2nd ball. A great start for Ellon
Kemp joined Balsillie and they began to restore the innings, but they were falling way behind the run rate.
And after 16 overs being bowled at only reached 44 runs. With the pressure to get runs, Balsillie went for a huge slog and was bowled by White for 22.
H Wolrige Gordon then claimed the wicket of Crozier (14 runs) in the next over 44 for 3.
White and Wolrige Gordon bowled with great accuracy, and Stonehaven could hardly buy a run. D Crozier and D Garden scored 6 and 2 respectively.
S Crozier and D Long contributed one run each and Stonehaven were out of the game.
C Watson came on to bowl and claimed the wickets A Long to add to that of D Long who he had bowled the previous over.
The match was over when Watson had A Garden out LBW for 7 . Stonehaven had amassed a total on 79 runs.
Both games were played in good spirit, and credit must be given to Stonehaven who took both defeats with grace and humour.
Ellon are uncertain who they will play in the final on August 29, as the other fixture Bon Accord verus Mannofield was rained off after 5 overs.
Ellon Batting
S Davies Ct Crozier 45
C White ct Long 43
J Barratt LBW Balsillie 26
A Arora Ct Balsillie 17
H Wolrige Gordon Ct Balsillie 11
S White Bowled Balsillie 24
C Watson ct Hinchcliffe 3
C Wolrige Gordon NOT OUT 6
W Fairlie ct 0
R Greenfield RUN Out 1
C Souter DND
Total 176
Extras 21
Total 197
Bowling
C Hinchcliffe 2 for 49
A Garden 0 for 18
A Long 1 for 43
D Crozier 1 for 48
R Balsillie 5 for 28
Stonehaven batting
Milroy Bowled White 0
Balsillie Bowled White 22
Kemp Bowled H Wolrige
Gordon 19
Crozier CT White 6
Garden Bowled H
Wolrige Gordon 2
S Crozier CT Fairlie 1
Long Bowled Watson 1
Long Bowled Watson 0
Hinchcliffe NOT OUT 14
Garden LBW Watson 7
Total 71
Extras 8
Total 79
Bowling
S White 3 for 14 10 overs
R Greenfield 0 for 25
H Wolrige Gordon 1 for 11 9 overs
W Fairlie 1 for 0
C Watson 3 for 6
