The skipper made an unbeaten 50
1s picked up a vital win at Rubislaw as they produced arguably their best bowling performance to easily defeat Cults by 8 wickets. It brought to an end a run of 5 straight losses and revived Grammar’s survival hopes. All the bowlers did well picking up wickets with Prash, Hasaan, Mapplebeck and Nasseri all impressing before Javaid nipped in with 4 wickets to dispatch Cults for 91. Skipper Haider took the bold decision to open and cracked un unbeaten 51 from 59 balls as Grammar eased home with 22.2 overs in hand.
Keith, Javaid, Prash and Mapplebeck all returned to bolster the team and skipper Haider won a useful toss and bowled. Prash and Hassaan both started well and were unlucky not to find a breakthrough as Desai dropped a sharp chance with the gloves and Prash shelled a tough caught and bowled. Prash however did produce an unlikely bouncer to get Areeb out, a huge top edge being well gathered by Desai. Hassaan then struck in the next over as he had Singh bang in front for 7.
Ater a tight opening spell, Mapplebeck backed up the line and length bowling and was joined by Afghan spinner Nasseri. The young spinner was soon in the wickets as after 2 maidens he pinned Shahid with a quicker ball for 7. It was 35 for 4 when Mapplebeck got a wicket, Jawad LBW for 0. Ali clubbed a 4 and 6 but Mapplebeck castled him for 10, before Niamatullah hammered new bowler Baedaar’s 2nd ball straight at Hassaan to grab an excellent catch, Cults up against it at 52 for 6 at drinks.
With 6 front line bowlers available, the skipper turned to Javaid and after a slightly difficult start he claimed 2 in 3 balls, Ajazi comprehensively bowled for 5 and then Singh incredibly caught by Mapplebeck running round the boundary and diving full length to grab it inches from the turf. The Cults batsmen could not get a read on Javaid and he struck again bowling Hammed before Hossain took on Mapplebeck at cow corner, Mapplebeck not this time needing to move and claiming a simple catch at the 3rd attempt! All this left Cults all out for 91 with all bowlers doing well. Prash 4-2-8-1, Hassaan 5-0-16-1, Mapplebeck 6-2-11-2, Nasseri 6-2-23-1, Bedaar 2-0-18-1 and Javaid 3.5-0-15-4.
Grammar were delighted with the fielding performance and set off after the runs with gusto, Haider looking to be aggressive from ball one. He lost partner Keith for 4, bowled by the impressive Nazir. Bedaar though dug in and allowed the skipper to attack and they added 63 as Grammar broke the back of the chase, Bedaar was extremely unlucky to lose his wicket a firm straight drive by Haider cannoning off Singh’s boot straight into the stumps to run him out for 6. Swiergon joined Haider to see it through as the skipper finished on 51 from 59 with 8 fours.
This was a vital win for Grammar as Cults are a good side who beat Bon Accord earlier in the season but focussed bowling and fielding saw Grammar to victory. next up is a trip to Banchory who proved very challenging opponents last season.
Man of the Match
there were many candidates but Mapplebeck bowled superbly and took 2 catches so edges it but many others had a fair shout.
Champagne Moment
Mapplebeck’s stunning diving catch.
