Cup run continues as Forres storm through

FORRES St Lawrence stormed through to the cup semi finals with a

comprehensive ten wicket win against Fochabers at Grant Park.

After winning the toss, the Fochabers skipper Paul Bijl decided to bat first. Their strong opening pair of Mark Stockwell and Nigel Tiddy faced Derek Ross, who struck twice in the opening over, firstly having Tiddy caught at first slip for nought and then next ball Aditya Mehta was clean bowled.

A stunned Fochabers side had to gather themselves to make a game of things now so new batsman Chris Priddle had to work with Stockwell to get runs on the board. The next two overs from Ross and bowling partner Durance leaked ten and nine respectively but they tightened up and made the batsmen work as they scratched around for their runs.

The score had moved onto 27 when Priddle played down the wrong line to a Ross delivery and lost his off stump for 11 followed just six runs later by Stockwell, who was trying to up the rate. He got an outside edge to the keeper off a Ross slower ball and was out for 17.

Richard Constable and Gordon Sharp were new to the crease and were soon facing change bowlers Gus Farr and John Duff. A few looseners from Duff gave Fochabers 8 off his first over but he got things under control as the visitors were only picking up two or three per over, not good enough in the cup format.

Tony Farr came on to replace his son and next over Duff struck as he bowled Sharp for 16.

Farr got in on the act next over when he had Colin Sanders caught at mid on, a simple lob and an easy catch for Ian Roberts. Constable was joined by Martin Steel and they ran singles but with the score just passing 80 and only six overs left Constable hit the ball straight to Aaron McLean at short mid wicket off the bowling of Duff.

Constable had his teams top score of 18. Stuart Gibb was next in but he was now facing Gus Farr as he came back into the attack and that contest didn’t last long as Gibb was clean bowled for 9.

Stuart Dalgarno was given LBW next ball, giving Farr his brace which left Paul Bijl to run himself out after a direct hit by Aaron McLean leaving Steel not out on 9. Derek Ross had ripped the Fochabers batting apart, his figures 4 for 17 off his 6 overs.

In reply Nigel Gerrard and Pal Dhami took to the crease for Forres. The Fochabers attack has been greatly weakened with Adam Stockwell being out of action due to a broken leg, so Martin Steel and Aditya Mehta opened for the visitors. Some loose bowling from Mehta saw him come off after three overs and replaced by the steady Paul Bijl. Two fours from Steel and he was taken off for the slow donkey drops of Sanders.

He created a chance when Dhami sent a sharp return to the bowler but he couldn’t make the catch and Dhami just carried on batting and playing each ball on its merits. After ten overs, forty was on the board and in truth Forres never looked in any danger of losing this match. Gerrard supported while Dhami gathered the runs with apparent ease. The end came in the 22nd over with a four through mid wicket from Dhami and Forres moved comfortably through to the semi finals of the knock out cup where they will play Highland. Gerrard was not out 18, Dhami not out 70.

Next week Forres travel to Keith in a return to league action.