The 2015 season began with a visit from Kemnay-Kintore 2nd XI at Harlaw. Unfortunately it also coincided with a visit from a strong north westerly wind which brought with it the first shower of the ‘summer’ timed to perfection with the first over of the match.
The toss had been won by FP’s who had decided to bowl first. The FP’s 3rd XI chosen was Ian Johnston (c), Sandeep Dhanamani (vc), Paul Norwood, Kingshuk Ghosh, Rutwik Hegde, John Youles, James Lord, Leston D’Costa, Jim Lee, John Thomson, Jason Alexander, a good balance of youth, athleticism, talent and vital experience required to supervise the tea.
Last season’s leading under 18 wicket taker Hegde opened the bowling from the Pavillion end with the brisk wind behind him. His opening overs were accurate but it was new signing John Thomson who took the first wicket of the season when he bowled C. Hinton for one run. Next over Hegde also took his first wicket in similar fashion, bowling S. MacIntyre for 1 run, KK 10 – 2. New batsman D. Reeve started aggressively, hitting a short delivery from Thomson for a six, but a full straight delivery then bowled Reeve for 10 (1 x 6), KK 18 – 3.
Hegde and Thomson tied down the KK batsmen with accurate bowling, but it was an unusual dismissal which saw G. Coe out for 5. Thomson had struck Coe on the pad and as the umpire was turning down the appeal, Norwood noticed the batsman had not returned to his crease and calmly walked up to the stumps and removed the bails and the batsman walked without waiting for the decision, KK 20 – 4 off 5.4 overs.
D’Costa and Dhanamani replaced the opening bowlers and immediately found a good line and length, the next 10 overs conceding a miserly 9 runs. Schoolboy D’Costa took a deserved wicket in the last over of his allowed spell when J. Reeve slicing an attempted drive to point where Jonty, sorry John T, backpedalled and took a well judged catch, Reeve out for 7, KK 36 – 5 off 23overs.
Next over Dhanamani took his first wicket of the new season courtesy of a smart piece of wicketkeeping by Ghosh who reacted very quickly to stump R. Tongue who played and missed at a good ball from the accurate Dhanamani, KK 35 – 5.
Jason Alexander and James Lord replaced D’Costa and Dhanamani and Alexander was next to take a wicket by bowling G. Fowlie for 7 (1 x 4), KK 40 – 6. Alexander took another wicket in his next over, reacting quickly to take a caught and bowled chance from T. Reeve who scored 6 (1 x 4).
Lord was next to strike thanks to a good catch from keeper Ghosh off L McIntyre, KK 61 – 8. Last man in M. Auld threatened to add some quick runs, but Lord bowled G. Hunter for a duck, leaving Auld 8 n.o. 8 (1 x 4) KK 69 all out in 33.1 overs.
FP’s bowled well in tricky bowling conditions, a strong cross wind and a couple of rain/hail breaks not helping, but all 6 bowlers claimed at least one wicket. The fielding was good considering the weather with Alexander and D’Costa outstanding and wicketkeeper Ghosh obviously benefiting from last season’s experience.
Tea was taken in the comparative warmth of the Pavillion and Norwood and Ghosh opened the batting. Both batsmen played carefully waiting for the bad ball to hit and scored steadily. FP’s lost a wicket when Norwood was run out not grounding his bat having scored 7, FP’s 29 – 1.
Hegde immediately looked to score quickly hitting a full toss for 6. The total was soon reached with some good shots and running between the wickets, Hegde 26 n.o.(1 x 6, 1 x 4) and Ghosh 24 n.o. (2 x 4), FP’s 70 – 1 off 18.5 overs.
A winning start for FP’s who were on top from the start thanks to good bowling and fielding in tricky conditions. The top order did well to score the runs without too much problem.
Man of the Match – Kingshuk Ghosh a good stumping, good catch and solid innings
Champagne Moment – Paul Norwood quick thinking for run out
