Gordonians 2nd XI were the visitors to Rubislaw for the Grade 3 match as FP’s looked to continue the winning run. FP’s had only two changes to the previous weeks match, out went Karthik and Harin and into the team came Tom Booth and Rizwan.
FP’s skipper was given a fright when he arrived at 12:20pm to find a team of cricketers all ready changed and raring to go. Turned out it was the Gordonians team. Normal service was resumed when the last two FP’s players arrived after the game had commenced.
Gordonians skipper Jamie Jones lost the toss and openers Everest and Bews went in to face in-form bowlers Whyte and Rubesh. Both bowlers immediately found a good line and length, and the batsmen struggled to score runs. It took eight overs before Bews began to find his touch, twice hitting Rubesh for fours. Next over Everest was out bowled by a good inswinger by Whyte, a well deserved wicket leaving Gordonians 21 – 1. Rubesh, bowling from the pavilion End, took his first wicket next over when Bews was given out LBW, the ball hitting pad first, then bat, much to the disappointment of the batsman.
Batsmen Kollagiri and Jones made a good recovery for Gordonians with Jones striking several powerful drives to the boundary, the dry spell having dried the outfield, and the grass had been trimmed only five days earlier. Magesh replaced Rubesh, who had bowled a good spell, 7 – 1 – 22 – 1 and took his first wicket in his third over when he tempted Kollagiri who edged a drive to first slip where Houghton took his third slip catch in three games. Three slip catches in a 2nd XI season used to be good, now thanks to a more consistent bowling line and Houghton’s improvement this season fielding at slip, the slip area is proving to be a real bonus.
Whyte had bowled as well as ever, bowling 10 – 2 – 29 – 1, and being unlucky on several occasions with edges evading fielders and batsmen playing and missing. Rizwan replaced Whyte and took the important wicket of Jones in his third over. Jones had earlier hit a lofted straight drive for four, but this time was unable to clear Rob Fryer at deep mid off, Jones out for 32 (6 x 4). This was an important catch as Jones was looking set for a big score, the catch taken in text book style, and made to look easy by Fryer.
Rizwan took another wicket last ball of the same over when Memon was bowled for 3, Gordonians now 68 – 5. Rizwan took a third wicket courtesy of a catch by Booth, Jones out for 4, Rizwan ending with 7 – 1 – 15 – 3, as usual bowling round the wicket and giving nothing away.
Magesh was giving the batsmen little to score off, and in his 7th over took two wickets in two balls, First to go was Jeya who was bowled with a lovely slower ball and then next ball Verma edged to second slip where Tom Booth dived to his left and caught the ball in both hands just off the ground. The hat-trick ball was seen off, but in Magesh’s next over Patey was bowled for 5, giving Magesh the excellent bowling analysis of 9.5 – 2 – 17 – 4. Gordonians last wicket fell was thanks to a sharp piece of fielding by John Davey while fielding at cover, returning an accurate throw to keeper Muthu as the batsmen dithered in mid wicket.
Gordonians all out 84 off 33.5 overs, the last 5 wickets falling for 16 runs. The FP’s bowlers bowled a good line and this coupled with the tight fielding kept the pressure on the batsmen which paid off on several occasions.
Grammar FP’s openers Johnston and Fryer began the reply in patient fashion, mainly due to the accurate bowling of Jones and Rehman. Jones was moving the ball through the air and off the wicket, and Rehman was also getting late swing. In the ninth over Rehman had Johnston LBW to a straight ball which kept a bit low for 2, and last ball of the same over Muthu was caught behind off something for a duck, FP’s suddenly 15 – 2.
New batsman Booth got off the mark with a boundary, and the score now ticked along nicely with neither batsman taking any real risks. Jones bowled 7 – 1 – 21 – 0 and was replaced by Paty from the Pavillion End. Booth immediately took a liking to the new bowler and took 13 runs off his first over, including a lovely pull for 6. Booth repeated the shot off Rehman next over and the game was brought to a quick end as Booth cut loose with more boundaries all round the wicket. Booth ended 47 not out (2 x 6, 7 x 4) a great display of attacking shots, almost ending the game with a cheeky reverse sweep. Fryer finished the game 22 not out, batting sensibly and finally getting more value for his shots over the quicker outfield.
Another comprehensive victory for FP’s set up by excellent bowling, tight fielding, and patient batting followed by an explosive finish. A sixth win in a row taking FP’s to within reaching distance of the top two teams in Grade 3.
Man of the Match – Tom Booth, effortless 47 not out and two good catches.
Champagne Moment – Rob Fryer’s pressure catch made to look easy.
