KINTORE travelled to Methlick for this Village Trophy match still smarting from the previous day's nightmare and elected to bat first on a soft pitch.
The innings was built around two great knocks by Middleton and Grayson, who put on 87 for the f
ifth wicket. Middleton came in at 7 for 2 in the third over and batted for the duration for 60 not out while Grayson blasted a rapid 52 off 52 balls including six fours and two sixes.
For Methlick, Murphy was the pick of the bowling with his dangerous away movement but the catching was woeful and put paid to any chances of keeping the total down.
However, 186 was not out of sight, particularly as Cox and Murphy rattled up 50 off the first ten with the Kintore bowlers serving up some loose stuff to hit. Aslam was impressive and was rewarded with the lbw of Woodhouse, but two wickets in three balls by Walker effectively ended the game as a contest.
First Murphy was bowled by a shooter and then Bremaneson was snapped up by a diving Laird at point.
Jones worked his way through the middle order by fen shui-ing three batsmen and then Anderson cleaned up the tail with 4 for 11. Grayson took a couple of stumpings which means he now has five for the season but only one catch, perhaps an indication of how spin rather than pace has been more productive for Kintore up to now.
Cox performed the rare feat of carrying his bat for 39 not out whilst watching ten wickets fall at the other end.
The next round is against Ross County at Strathpeffer on Sunday (May 31).
Kintore 186 for 7 (40 overs). A Stalker 29; P Middleton 60 not out; D Grayson 52. S Murphy 4 for 26.
Methlick 109 all out. P Cox 39 not out; S Murphy 25. S Aslam 1-17; R Walker 2-24; N Jones 3-24; D Anderson 4-11.
