Following the very well attended indoor net sessions in the warmth and comfort of the new Sports Village, it might have been fortuitous that the opening outdoor net session was not so well attended, as the interruption by the blizzard on Tuesday and the thought of a repeat on Saturday may have made it even harder to raise 11 hardy players for our first match of the season.
The 2nd XI team to face our old rivals Gordonians at Countesswells included two debutants in Keiren Whyte from the 1st XI, and Rubesh, a student who appeared at indoor nets and immediately caught the eye and outside edge of two of the team selection committee. Our 11th man, Doug Russell was confirmed by a 12:59 text message, advising his train was just arriving in Aberdeen, the text message just beating another late arrival Mike Phillips, who looked as white as the pristine sight screens. Rumour has it he was the ‘pristine’ the night before.
FP’s lost the toss, and Gordonians skipper Jones asked FP’s to bat first on a cold damp afternoon. Opening batsmen Johnston and Fryer were padded up and had some throw downs to warm up and all ready to commence the innings at 1pm sharp, only to see the Gordonians team, who had been assembled on the outfield since 12:30pm, then decide to have a warm up jog around the boundary, followed by a stretching session. The match finally commenced at 1:15pm. (Any word in the handbook about the toss being re-claimed 15 minutes after the game is due to start?)
The FP’s openers started well, Fryer’s first three scoring strokes were boundaries, including a classic back foot drive through the covers, and after 8 overs FP’s were 31 – 0. Opening bowler Prasad was replaced by skipper Jones, who immediately found bounce and movement off the wicket, and in his second over Fryer was caught by Basod for an aggressive 19 (4×4), FP’s 39-1.
Gordonians bowlers had now found their line and length, and Johnston and Frizzell had to work for their runs. But with the score on 55, Johnston played the wrong shot to a lifter from Jones and was caught behind off the glove for 11 (1×4)
Keiren Whyte immediately stroked Jones for a four, and Frizzell was now finding his timing and hit slow left arm bowler Mark Jones for fine drives to the boundary off consecutive balls. But in his next over, Jones clean bowled Whyte for 5.
Next man Phillips, by now looking as cream coloured as his flannels, must have felt better than he looked after hitting his third ball for four.
Pettit had replaced captain Jones, and proceeded to give a great demonstration of controlled bowling as the FP’s batsmen played and missed regularily at balls which pitched on middle and missed or went over off stump. Frizzell was Pettit’s first victim when he was caught at mid off for 22 (4×4), FP’s score 84-4 off 25 overs.
John Lord, playing for the seconds while recovering from a hip operation, had made only 2 runs when he was run out in a mix up with Phillips. The mix up being it should have been Phillips who was run out as non striker Lord had not left his crease as Phillips ran up to join him for a chat at the bowlers end. Perhaps this was a generous sporting gesture by Lord, which one day I will ask him about.
Hot off the train Doug Russell was next batsman in, but jet lag got the better of him and he was quickly plumb LBW to Pettit to a rare straight ball, FP’s score 99 – 6.
Phillips had been scoring in singles, playing several powerful slog drives straight to fielders, and became Pettits next victim, caught trying to force the play for 14 (1×4), FP’s wobbling on 101-7. Three overs later Magesh, having survived a very loud shout for caught behind, was caught off Pettit for 3 runs, FP’s 107-8.
Harry Houghton was batting sensibly and straight, and was joined by Waji who was playing his first game for several seasons. Waji wasted no time in picking up the ‘wand’ where he had left off, and whacked slow bowler Jones for three consecutive 4’s, taking 15 off the over, and giving the FP’s score a much needed boost. Unfortunately that man Pettit soon put a stop to Waji’s cameo, Waji scoring 15 (3×4)
Last man Rubesh had earlier turned up at Rubislaw due to a mix up, but was given a lift to Countesswells (still arriving before Phillips) and then had to borrow the captains white trousers as he only had track suit bottoms. The inspired Rubesh’s first scoring shot was a beautiful turn off his legs for 4, a shot the owner of the trousers could never have done, and he and Houghton, who also scored a lovely 4 off his legs, added a valuable 17 runs before Rubesh played a shot not out of character to the trouser owner and was out for 11(1×4), Houghton finishing 6 n.o. (1×4). FP’s 141 all out off 43 overs.
FP’s got off to a good start, 39 for first wicket, but then the Gordonians bowlers tightened up and Pettit was at times unplayable on the artificial wicket, ending with the excellent figures of 11-2-14-5. Top scorer for Grammar was Extras with 33, but 43 overs were consumed, indicating better application by some batsmen.
Rubesh opened the bowling for FP’s and his first 3 overs went for only 7 runs, beating the bat and having a catch dropped by Phillips which, while not exactly coming down covered in volcanic dust, was an awkward first catch of the season on a cold day.
Pettit made the most of his life and began scoring steadily, and after 10 overs Gordonians were 55-0, although several shots landed between fielders. Russell, having bowled 5 overs without much luck then had to leave to go to work. Arriving late and leaving early does not normally receive much praise, but Russell did make the effort to help us get 11 players on the field.
Magesh replaced Russell and with his 4th ball induced Pettit to edge a drive to gully where Rubesh took an excellent two handed catch to his left, landing on his knees, the large mud stains on the trousers raising a laugh. Apparently. Gordonians 64-1 off 12 overs. Magesh took another wicket in his 3rd over, having just been clubbed for 6 bowling round the wicket; he then reverted back to over the wicket and immediately bowled N.Smith for 6, Gordonians 72-2.
Phillips replaced Rubesh, who bowled a promising spell 7-0-35-0, and with his first ball had opener Devlin caught, eventually, by Waji fielding ‘round the corner’ for 24, Gordonians 82-3.
FP’s needed another quick wicket, but batsmen Maitj and Finnie rode their luck while going for their shots, edging a couple past Houghton at slip and a few shots were lobbed between FP’s 10 fielders.
Whyte came on to bowl for Phillips and in his second over bowled FP’s ball of the day when he beat Finnie, pitching middle and hitting the top of off stump. However, Gordonians scored the winning runs next over and won by 6 wickets.
Wicket takers for FP’s, Magesh 6-3-17-2, Whyte 2-0-6-1, Phillips 4-0-25-1 The fielding was led by Rob Fryer who fielded as if the outfield was a bowling green, while one or two of his team mates fielded like the old men bowling on a bowling green. Our hockey goalkeeping – wicketkeeper Frizzell was an excellent last minute stand in.
This was a bit of a wake up call as we were out bowled and out batted by Gordonians, who were a friendly team to play against. Hopefully more net practice and some more match practice will bring us up to speed. We do not want to be chasing the pack in Grade 3.
Man of the Match – Ben Frizzell, top scored with 22 and kept like an experienced wicketkeeper.
Champagne Moment – Debutant Rubesh’s catch.
