Grammar FP’s 2nd XI unbeaten run continued at Dunecht pushing FP’s 2nds into second place in Grade 3. The match against league leaders St Ronald 2nd XI would therefore be a big test for an FP’s team which showed five changes to the previous week’s victory.
Into the team to replace John Davey, Ian Goodenough, Kieran Whyte, Waji and Ben Frizzell came Harry Houghton, Magesh, Ian Johnston, Nick Blyth playing his first game of the season, and making his debut for FP’s was Purvesh Shah.
The toss was lost by Rob Fryer, his dreadful call meaning that by the time skipper Johnston finally rolled up, FP’s were batting. Worse still, Magesh had arrived early, and was not in the mood to accept excuses from the latecomer, and, having gained the moral high ground, Magesh immediately sent Johnston out to umpire, and to consider his tardiness.
Batsmen Fryer and Muthu were up against pace and swing on the good artificial wicket at Kings College, and in the fourth over Fryer fatally went back to T. Singh and was bowled when the ball swung in to hit the off stump FP’s 12 – 1 off 3.5 overs. In his next over, Singh bowled debutant Shah for 1 run, FP’s 23 – 2. Muthu was out caught behind next over for 8, FP’s 23 – 3.
Fortunately Blyth and Karthik steadied things with a good partnership of 36 at exactly four an over, and with the score on 59, Karthik was bowled by Singh for 11 (1 x 4). Two runs later Rizwan was out caught by the wicketkeeper off Sing for 2, and things got even worse in new bowler Abid’s first over when in-form Blyth was out caught for 23 (4 x 4), FP’s 61 – 6. Blyth had batted with good controlled aggression, with a four past fine leg and a drive over covers being two of his best shots.
The batting collapse continued with Joy being dismissed for 2, next Johnston played down the wrong line and was bowled for 5. Houghton survived well until being dismissed LBW for 5. The last wicket soon followed when Magesh run out in a mix up also for 5, leaving Arun, batting for the first time, not out 0. FP’s total 82 all out in 32. 5 overs.
Not the best batting display his season, there were very few batsmen who could consider themselves blameless in this performance by FP’s.
St Ronald were looking to finish the game off quickly, but good accurate bowling from Magesh and Karthik kept things tight, and in only the fourth over Karthik bowled S.Rao with a good in-swinging delivery, St Ronald 11 – 1. Opener K Imran was batting calmly and hitting the occasional bad ball to the boundary, and new batsman, St Ronald skipper Bhatti survived a good spell from Magesh 6 – 2 – 14 – 0, and Karthik 8 – 1 – 26 – 1, who beat the bat on several occasions.
Rizwan replaced Magesh and bowled accurately, but without luck as an edge flew just over first slip, Rizwan bowling 3 – 0 – 9 – 0
New FP’s players Shah and Joy were given the chance to clinch a place in next weeks team by taking 9 quick wickets, but unfortunately the batsmen were well set. However both bowlers did take their first wickets for FP’s, Joy (3 – 0 – 24 – 2) having top scorer Imran caught by keeper Muthu off a mistimed pull for 44 (9 x 4), and then bowling Neeray for 5. Shah was getting good turn and took his first wicket when Blyth held on to an awkward catch at mid wicket off Bhatti for 26 (5 x 4). St Ronald batsman V. Sood then finished the game with a six, final score 87 – 4.
St Ronald deserved their victory and remain odds on favourites to win Grade 3. Grammar bowled well but without that little bit of luck which would have made the game a bit more interesting. The fielding was keen with Joy and Fryer the stand outs.
Man of the Match – Nick Blyth, top scorer, held his catch well.
Champagne Moment – Not much to celebrate.
