Buckie poised to claim ninth title

The championship is in our own hands and that is a good thing, says club secretary flett

By Dave Edwards

Published:

STILL GOT IT: Buckie secretary and former wicketkeeper Bill Flett hasn’t lost his touch. Gordon Lennox

If Buckie win their fixtures at Fochabers tomorrow and at Nairn County 24 hours later they will be crowned North of Scotland Cricket League champions for the ninth time.

Second-placed Highland are poised to strike, although they will have to get the better of rivals Northern Counties, and Fochabers on Sunday, both of those matches at home.

Third-placed RAF Lossiemouth, the current champions, could also have a say if they defeat Nairn at the air base tomorrow. A date for their final match against Northern Counties has yet to be arranged.

Buckie secretary Bill Flett, 69, was a wicketkeeper batsman for 50 years before bowing out in style in 2006 after winning an eighth title.

Flett said: “The title was a great way to bow out but, hopefully, we can go one better by Sunday and win our ninth title.

“Both games are very tricky, especially with Highland and RAF Lossie breathing down our necks.

“We don’t know about the availability of players for this weekend, although I suspect one of our allrounders, Anthony Wilson may be unavailable on Sunday as he is the captain of Portgordon FC in the welfare league.

“Our captain Jonny Corsie has had a very good season with bat and ball, as have Barry Newlands, who won the man-of-the-match award in our League Cup success last weekend, and young Mark Tait. Our opening bat Daniel Walls, nephew of our 2nd XI captain Eddie Walls, has been equally impressive this season.

“The championship is in our own hands and that is a good thing, we are masters of our own destiny but Fochabers will have a big say as they have to play both Highland and ourselves in the space of 48 hours.”

Keith, favourites to win the plate competition, have the day off tomorrow but Elgin play host to Ross County, Fort William entertain Forres St. Lawrence and RAF Kinloss have home advantage against Huntly.