The World 20/20 was placed firmly in the background as the AECL Oxy Cup quarter finals took centre stage on a warm, sunny evening. League business was put on hold for one week.

It was not a night for upsets. The Legends and Chevron will face each other in one semi-final, following wins over Inn at the Park and Caledonian respectively. League leaders ATSSC also progress to the semis, beating the Dare Devils, where they will face the DeC Rebels, comfortable winners over St Ronald. The semi finals will take place on Monday 6th July (neutral umpires will be provided on the night).The final will be played at Mannofield (date TBC).

A sunny evening at Allan Park Stadium greeted Inn at the Park for the Oxy Cup quarter final encounter. Captain Balsillie again proved what a useless tosser he was as he lost yet another and IATP chose to bat (Mush continued his good form with his double-headed coin). Mushy the IATP captain was in fine voice and decided to open the batting, chirping away with every scoring shot played. However the chirping was strangled into an agonised cheep as he tried to hit Balsillie to the moon only for Gilly, running backwards flat out, to take a magnificent Flintstone-like catch, as the ball swirled in the air for an eternity, at long off (IATP version can be provided on request). The scene was set for an early finish but Mackenzie had been batting well until he also perished at the hands of Balsillie (3 for 9). The Hoff was bowling some decent stuff from the other end, including a strong LBW appeal turned down; Miss Deboat at number 33 was not amused and will be writing to the Secretary to ensure the individual involved is severely reprimanded!! Keith and Forbes both picked up wickets and IATP's W Liversidge was a golden duck for the Hoff when the normally big hitting player attempted to play a proper cricked shot and found his middle stump uprooted. Gradually the middle order pulled IATP back into the match. Sajid pressed on to a great 33 which included 5 boundaries and a sweet 6 to finish. Amit was in sparkling form with a couple of well-carved sixes, and finished his spell with a cut past point to the boundary to give him his 30, with the score now 98 in the 17th. H Liversidge did much better than his bro, but following hitting Z for a monster top edge 6, was clean bowled with the last delivery of the innings to finish the IATP resistance on a respectable 125-7. Local spinster, Miss Deboat at number 33, smiled as she saw the total set for her Legends to chase. She was happy at the Hoff's new t-shirt which fully displayed his taut torso and rippling biceps. Despite with warmth of the evening, Miss Deboat shivered. The Legends opened up in confident fashion with Grayson scoring quick runs and Lewis providing the foil and picking the singles. IATP needed quick wickets….they never came. Grayson retired on 32 and G Milne looked confident until, the half asleep batsman, not allowing for Lewis's speed on the quick single, was run out in a crazy yes/no/yes/yes mix-up. Sajid had opened the attack with a frugal spell, rounding off with a delightful wicket maiden (4-1-9-1). Keith plundered quick fire runs until being bowled on 27 and Lewis Boycott finally retired on 31no to be replaced by Gilly who only troubled the scorer briefly until he was bowled by the most astonishing good ball ever seen at APS which twisted both ways, swung, then cut and daisy cuttered onto the stumps (IATP version can be provided on request). The Legends stuttered their way to the finish line with the Hoff hitting the winner in the 17th over (126-4) to record a well earned victory. This was a match played in superb spirit with loads of laughs along the way culminating in both teams sharing a fantastic feast of chilli, bagees and garlic bread provided by Legends sponsors the Bieldside Inn - thank you. IATP enjoyed the light hearted sledging, but also enjoyed the change in body language as the total approached 125!!  Miss Deboat had popped out for a walk to the Inn, only one of the Legends saw her, thoughtfully sipping a cherry brandy in the soft armchair in the darkened corner, their eyes met and an electrical charge filled her heart..............................she..........................................

Very little is known about the other matches, all played at Duthie Park. On paper the match between Chevron and Caledonian should have been the closest of the night, however it did not turn out that way. Chevron batted first and posted a total of 149 for 4. In reply, Caledonian could only make 75 all out.

League leaders ATSSC maintained their league form, beating the Dare Devils by 43 runs. ATSSC posted a total of 142 for 7, in reply the Dare Devils made 99 AO.

St Ronald’s defence of the cup is over after a crashing defeat at the hands of the Rebels. Chasing a total of 151 for 8, St Ronald’s reached 67 AO to lose by…..many, many runs.