Carnage!

Posted on 6 August 2014

The record books were re-written on Saturday when Ross County's Graeme Carney scored an unbeaten 241 runs - the highest ever score by a batsman in the 120 year history of the NoSCA Senior League. Carney's double hundred was part of his side's 317 for 3 declared against Buckie at Castle Leod. His extraordinary innings meant that he posted a personal best when he reached 120, a Club record when he made 186 and then a league record when he went past 216 in the final over, which he hit for 666461!

The visitors were undaunted by Graeme's incredible knock, and with 87 from John Corsie were always in the hunt. However, despite an heroic 120 from Barry Newlands they eventually fell just 20 runs short of their target at 298 for 7 when the overs ran out. Sadly, the incident packed game (noteworthy for home skipper calling back a Buckie player who have been adjudged run out, as the wicket had not been broken cleanly) was marred by a serious injury to Cricket Scotland Club Development Manager Neil Cameron, who sustained a ruptured quadricep when turning back for a non-existent single. The injury required an ambulance to be called and Neil now faces a long recuperation period following his operation in Raigmore on Sunday. We wish him a successful recovery.

While Buckie's title chances were fading in Easter Ross, Fochabers were taking care of business with a 253 run vistory at Nairn. The major contribution for the visitors came from an undefeated 161 by Aditia Mehta, who may have been excused for thinking he would have been the highest scorer of the day! In reply Nairn were shot our for just 49 and remain firmly rooted at the foot of the table.

In the only other game to start, Forres made an impressive 205 for 7 in a fiesty encounter at Fraser Park, but with rain curtailing the home side's reply at 50 for 3 both sides lost vital points in their title challenge.

Although they have a difficult run-in against all their leading challengers, with 3 rounds of the league programme to go Fochabers now need just 40 points to retain the title. Alternatively, a victory in 2 weeks time over Buckie would all but secure the championship.