Grammar FPs 2nd XI made three changes from last weeks team, Frizzel, Ashton and Naeem dropping out with Blyth and Fraser coming in from the 1st XI and Annand returning after exams.
For the first time this season, the Grammar captain lost the toss and was asked to bat. The next thing he lost was his leg stump first ball when Buchan bowled this week’s unplayable ball.
Nick Blyth came in next and hit a nice leg side boundary but was then also bowled by Buchan, fatally going back on the Rubislaw wicket instead of forward. Next over Annand was plumb LBW by Kennedy, leaving FPs struggling on 10-3.
Fortunately Sam Knudson and Rob Fryer were in top form with Knudson especially hitting several cracking drives. Fryer was regularily finding the fielders with great shots off the back foot, the Methlick fielders were doing a good job in the fast outfield. The fourth wicket partnership had scored a quick 71 runs when Knudson was bowled by Buchan for an excellent 48 (9 x 4s).
New batsman Fraser was driving well but straight to the fielders, and was unlucky not to get off the mark before he was bowled by Buchan for a duck, FPs score 98 – 5. The following over Fryer was beaten by the accurate Carr for 28 (3 x 4s), and the very next ball Tom Murray was bowled, three wickets falling with the score on 98.
Our reliable partnership of Karthik and Magesh did not let us down and added 24 before Magesh was caught behind for 8. Karthik was batting with great confidence and hit two huge sixes as he passed 50 for the first time. Phillips was also batting with patience and taking smart singles with the field getting deeper. The ninth wicket had added an invaluable 40 runs before Phillips was out bowled by Kennedy for 16 (2 x 4s).
Last man in Rizwan then played a dismissive swot for six as he and Karthik put on a potential match winning 35 runs before FPs innings was ended after 46 overs. Rizwan ended 10 not out and Karthik 61not out (2 x 6s 8 x 4s). Karthik has a style all his own, but one which leaves him averaging 113 so far this season. Can’t wait for the coaching DVD!
FPs total 197 – 9 (46 overs)
FPs made a quick breakthrough when Knudson bowled I. Kennedy for 2, but S. Kennedy came out all guns blazing and hit a huge first ball six and two crashing drives for four before Knudson bowled him with a beauty. Knudson then bowled Carr for a duck and Karthik also bowled Williams for a duck. Blyth then had Curry caught by keeper Fraser off a skier for 2, and Shaw was well caught and bowled by Magesh also for a duck, leaving Methlick 51 – 6.
However opening bat Buchan was defending stoutly against the pace of Blyth and spin of Magesh. Young batsman Woodhouse was also playing well and helped Buchan add 46 runs before partnership breaker Rizwan came on and in his first over Woodhouse edged to second slip where Annand held a sharp catch. At 97 -7, Grammar were hoping to finish off Methlick, but new batsman Ritchie took the attack to Grammar and smashed a six and 2 x 4s off a Knudson over. Both batsmen played and missed and edges landed clear of fieldsmen, but Methlick survived the last few overs, ending 142 – 7 off 44 overs. Batting heroes for Methlick were opener Buchan who battled throughout for 40 n.o. and young Woodhouse who defended calmly, scoring 14 runs.
A useful 20 points gained, but we need a win to get back into the pack. At one stage we looked to be cruising to victory with Knudson and Karthik bowling an excellent opening spell. Blyth bowled with great pace, too much at times for an edge, but the Methlick late middle order showed the top order how to survive. The Grammar fielding was complimented by Methlick, but we did drop a couple of catches.
Our bowlers again had to bowl in a strong cross wind, and again was inconsistent. This week we managed fewer wides, a mere 23. I can’t wait far a calm day to see how our bowlers adapt. Not to mention our top order batsmen.
Knudson 12 – 4 – 42 – 3, Karthik 7 – 1 – 26 – 1, Blyth 10 – 3 – 26 – 1, Magesh 9 – 20 – 1, Phillips 4 – 0 – 15 – 0, Rizwan 2 – 0 – 7 – 1
Kit Bag Packer – Sam Knudson, a hard chance at slip. (Fraser dropping a skier does not count as he had gloves on)
Man of the Match – Karthik, scored his first 50, took one wicket in a good spell and spirited fielding throughout.
Champagne Moment – Rizwan’s effortless six.
