The skipper won the toss and asked the visitors to bat. After an initial tight bowling spell from the openers Calum Findlay and Dave Long Jnr. the runs started to flow as the gaps in the fielding side of 10 men took their toll. R. Swabey's contributi
on of 39 was halted by a catch from P. Hay and would be Long's only wicket of the afternoon (1 for 39).
The real damage was done when Samarasekara came to the crease and though several bowlers were tried the Sri Lankan, no doubt having watched his side bat in the 20 Twenty, played a belligerent innings of 123 inside 23 overs, accounting for over half his side's total. Calum Findlay returned best figures of 4 for 50 off his 12 overs.
Chasing a huge declaration of 221 for 7, Stonehaven started patiently but without the collapses of recent weeks. Still it soon became apparent that survival rather than chasing the big score would be the order of the day. Bruce Findlay played patiently for his 16 and Paul Hay seemed to be enjoying himself until he was lbw for 16 to Swabey, who took 5 for 22.
At 64 for 5, Long Jnr. arrived at the crease to be joined soon after by skipper Long Snr. who decided chasing down batting points was the best way to fight back. Together the partnership of 41 added some respectability and when Snr, was dismissed for 27 a tense period followed as the match drew to a close. Last man Calum Findlay and Long Jnr., farming the strike, engineered a draw with 124 for 8 in 48 overs.
The match ball was sponsored by Neptune Deeptech, Thistle's Junior sponsor.
Next week is a double header at home against Turriff, Saturday's league match and Sunday for the Reid Cup.
