For the first time in five Saturday’s since June 9th (2012), (seems longer) AGSFP’s 2nd XI could look forward to completing a game of cricket on an overcast but dry afternoon at Rubislaw, with Methlick 1st XI the visitors.
The FP’s XI to face the second top team of Grade 3 team consisted of Johnston, Magesh, Rama, Arul, Pehlaj, Rizwan, Whyte, Kiran, Rahul, schoolboy debutant Kingshuk Ghosh, and Magesh. The Methlick captain Stuart Anderson had phoned to say they were stuck in traffic and the team would be delayed. This meant that for the first time in living memory, all of the FP’s team would arrive before the opposition.
As a result, the FP’s captain was still in a daze at the coin toss, but was assured he had lost the toss and had to bat first.
A still chuckling Methlick side took to the field as openers Rama and Arul made their way to the middle. Both Methlick openers bowled well, Murphy’s opening spell of 8 overs from the Pavilion End conceded only 8 runs for no wickets, Saward’s 8 overs were more expensive conceding 18 runs, but for 4 wickets.
First batsman to be dismissed was Arul who drove a full delivery straight to Kennedy at point who then had a quick juggle before putting the batsman out of his misery, Arul out for 2, FP’s 6 – 1.
Worse was to follow in the next over from Saward when Rama was unluckily bowled off his legs for 5 and next ball Rizwan’s application to join the primary club was approved when Saward bowled a beautiful inswinging yorker which bowled Rizwan for a duck, FP’s 9 – 3.
Batsmen Pehlaj and Karthik batted with good sense against accurate bowling to take the score to 23 off 14 overs when Karthik was out for 7 (1 x 4), bowled by Saward.
Addison and Kennedy replaced Murphy 8 – 4 – 8 – 0 and Saward 9 – 0 – 19 – 4 as Pehlaj and Johnston tried to bring FP’s back into the game. But Johnston was next out when he played on via the inside edge to Kennedy for 4, FP’s 36 – 5 off 22.4 overs. Pehlaj and Whyte staged a mini recovery by adding 30 runs before Pehlaj was out caught by Saward off Kennedy for a dogged 20 (1 x 4), FP’s 66 – 6 off 66.4 overs.
Play was briefly delayed when the umpires had to be coaxed back out of the Pavilion after being spooked by a fleeting appearance of the sun.
Whyte hit a good lofted on drive to the boundary off Addison and then next ball hit a beautiful straight drive for 6 which rebounded off the hand rails in front of the Pavilion. The counterattack was over soon after when Kennedy caught Whyte off the unorthodox B. Anderson for 20 (1 x 6, 1 x 4), FP’s 67 – 7.
Kiran was next out, caught off Kennedy for 3, FP’s 73 – 8, then debutant Kinshuk was bowled by Anderson and next over Rahul was out c&b Kennedy for 2, leaving Magesh not out 0.
FP’s scored 74 in 38 overs. There were a couple of unfortunate dismissals early in the innings partly due to a lack of match practice but mainly due to the good bowling.
Tea was taken and Methlick went out to bat with 52 overs to score 74 runs, so a draw was unlikely. Whyte opened the attack from the Cromwell Road end, with Rahul bowling from the Pavilion end. FP’s needed an early wicket to salvage a little pride and Rahul managed to cheer the FP’s players when Kennedy lofted the ball straight to the reliable Karthik who held the catch, Methlick 16 – 1. Woodhouse and Saward added 33 runs before Woodhouse drove Karthik straight to Kiran at cover and was out for 10, Methlick wobbling on 44 – 2.
Saward was severe on anything just off line, pulling Whyte for 3 boundaries, but Whyte beat the outside of the Saward bat a couple of times. Whyte also beat Murphy’s bat and was unlucky not to get the resultant big LBW shout. Murphy then hit a couple of quick boundaries, one requiring two fielders to find the ball in the grass on the adjoining football pitch. Two fielders to find the ball in the grass at Rubislaw.
The match ended with Methlick scoring 75 – 2 off 17 overs, Saward 24 n.o (4 x 4) Murphy 11 n.o. (2 x 4). For FP’s the wicket takers were Rahul took 1 – 18 and Karthk 1 – 28.
A comprehensive win for a strong Methlick side that started the game well and never eased off. FP’s now need to win a couple of games to stay clear of the relegation zone.
Man of the Match – Adrian Saward top scored with a classy 24, took 4 wickets and held a catch
Champagne Moment – Kieran Whyte’s straight 6
