FPs 2nd XI were well beaten by a clinical Kemnay-Kintore side at a bright but cold Rubislaw, losing by 8 wickets after posting a meagre target of 90 runs.
Having lost the toss FPs were put in to bat and sent the experienced Clelland and MacDonald out to face the music. Facing the Thom brothers, Liam and Jordan, who opened the bowling for KK, Clelland and MacDonald played fairly assuredly both scoring a boundary apiece and surviving early LBW appeals to take the score to 20 after 7 overs.
Jordan Thom, having bowled consistently full and straight, finally picked up a wicket bowling MacDonald for nine. Mohanan entered the fray and was immediately off the mark with a deft flick to leg for two but then had to survive a solid LBW appeal which was possibly going down leg. He followed this with a lovely straight drive for four which gave hope for a fine innings to come.
Unfortunately Clelland and Mohanan were unable to extend their partnership after Clelland was on the receiving end of a tightLBW decision. Clelland claimed to have hit the ball from Jordan Thom both before and after it made contact with his pad.
With 12 overs gone Mantha came to the crease but failed to trouble the scorers being bowled by another full-pitched delivery from Jordan Thom.
With Jordan dominating the bowling figures thus far Brother and Captain Liam decided to get in on the act forcing an aerial shot from Mohanan which was caught on the leg side. When asked for an assessment of the shot Mohanan gave the detailed and insightful description of “Poor”.
After an encouraging display against Dunecht the previous week next batsman Whyte was full of attacking verve striking a few boundaries including a booming straight six.
Mohammed who had replaced Mantha was unable to stem the flow of wickets being bowled by Liam Thom in the next over for four bringing FPs Vice-Captain Barker into the game. With both Barker and Whyte hitting boundaries this looked to have the makings of a good partnership, unfortunately new bowler Munawer with his varying pace and length had Whyte caught for 21 by Prosser.
Lord and Chowdary came and went scoring 1 and 5 respectively, Lord LBW to the flamboyant De La Cruz and Chowdary caught by Jordan Thom off the bowling of Munawer.
After an early flurry of runs Barker had become stuck in a rut, unable to get beyond 12. With wickets falling around him and the words of new batsman and Skipper Devendran ringing in his ears, “Try and stay in to the end”, Barker offered Prosser an easy catch at mid-wicket from the bowling of Munawer.
With 9 wickets down Skipper Devendran offered some brief resistance to the avalanche of wickets hitting a mighty 6 over mid-on but was bowled soon after by De la Cruz.
FPs were back in the hutch with 89 on the board, not the start to the season they were looking for.
With the KK fielders having moaned about how hungry they were throughout the latter part of the FP innings (one portly gentleman at short cover being particularly vociferous) it was a great surprise to see an entire plate of uneaten sandwiches remaining after the break. Rumours of horse meat content were unfounded and simply neigh true.
KK were clearly not in the mood to hang about and brought the game to its conclusion after little over 20 overs of their innings. Prosser hitting a number of booming boundaries including a couple of maximums before being bowled by a delightful outswinger from Whyte for 26.
West was then set up by Gopal striking a couple of 4s before being deceived by Gopal’s “slow” one which took out his middle stump. He departed for 16. West’s was the last wicket to fall as Summers (35*) and Liam Thom (13*) took KK over the line giving them the perfect start to their 2013 season.
FPs will be understandably disappointed with their batting and clearly needed someone to step up and play the ‘Anchorman’ role. With a line-up of attacking minded players it may be that some appetites will need to be curbed in order for success to be achieved.
The bowling and fielding were generally good, Whyte in particular finding a good line and length, and with a decent total to defend could well have pushed KK close.
Next up Methlick 2nd XI away, another tough game but one which should be winnable with a more disciplined batting display.
