For the away match over the wall at Harlaw against Queens Cross 2nd XI, Grammar FP’s 2nd XI made three changes to the team which played St Ronald the previous week, with Aussie Danny Marqant making his debut in place of Hozefa, John Davey playing his first game of the season in place of Waji, and Rizwan a late replacement for Phillips.
Queens Cross skipper Lumsden continued his losing streak as FP’s brilliantly won the toss, and Queens Cross were invited to bat on the wicket which was damp from the previous evenings rain, and several shades of green, but the weather was very hot and sunny for this Grade 3 derby match.
Kieran Whyte opened the bowling for FP’s and continued his good bowling from the previous week, his first four overs conceding only 8 runs, but it was Karthik, who had impressed at nets during the week, who struck first in his third over when he bowled Langerial for 5, QX 14 – 1. Proof that Karthik’s luck had finally changed was displayed next over when Arkless played on for 8, the ball rolling against the stumps and just dislodging a bail. Karthik struck again in his next over when Spence was caught behind by keeper Muthu for a duck, and incredibly Karthik took a fourth wicket in four over when Towns drove a skier to mid off where Magesh coolly, and eventually, shouted “mine” just as Karthik was closing in for a collision. Magesh’s call was in keeping with his pre match arrival, just in time.
Former FP’s player Rory Annand was next in to bat, and he looked in determined mood as he tried to see off the rampant Karthik. This he managed, only to fall to Whyte, who finally got a deserved wicket as Annand gloved a catch to Muthu, and sportingly walked, QX 42 – 5 off 17 overs.
With the score on 51 – 6 Whyte was given a well earned break having bowled 10 – 1 – 24 – 1, bowling as well as the previous week, but this week without the luck.
Only Seabright of QX had managed to find the boundary with an array of drives over fielders, but he finally holed out when Johnston took a catch at cover off Karthik for 23 (3×4).
Doug Russell had replaced Whyte, and it took him only two overs to make an impact when he brilliantly caught and bowled Worsley for 10, the impact being on the soft pitch as he dived to his right and eventually holding on to the ball as it looked like it was going to roll onto the turf, QX 61 – 7 off 23 overs.
Karthik finished his excellent spell of 12 – 1 – 31 – 5, and Rizwan carried on the good work in his first over when Russell took an easy catch at short mid wicket to dismiss Watkin for a duck, QX 62 – 8. Rizwan did it again thanks to another cool catch by Magesh at mid off, QX skipper Lumsden the victim. With the last pair at the wicket, QX batsman A. Bell began to hit out and was threatening to give QX a total to defend when he was caught by Muthu off a skier, Rizwan taking his third wicker in three overs as QX were bowled out for 74 in 30 overs.
FP’s bowled well, all the bowlers maintaining a good line and length, with Karthik taking the honours this week, ably supported by Whyte, Rizwan and Russell. The fielding was sharp by Grammar, debutant Marquart looking keen, and only a couple of hard chances being spilled.
Following a good tea, FP’s openers Fryer and Johnston were determined to not to allow QX back in the game with early wickets, and without too many dodgy singles managed to add 41 off 10 overs before Johnston played an impatient pull off Bell and only succeeded in giving mid wicket catching practice, out for 16 (1×4).
QX skipper Lumsden came on to bowl and in his second over had Fryer given LBW for 17 (2×4), FP’s score 53 – 2 in 14 overs. Paul MacDonald immediately hit Bell’s next over for seven runs, but then holed out and was caught off Worsley’s first over, FP’s score 59 – 3. Davey looked in good form but was beaten by a good yorker by the impressive Worsley for 8, FP’s 64 – 4 off 17 overs.
FP’s continued to make hard work of winning the game, and Karthik was brilliantly caught and bowled by Lumsden for 5, FP’s 68 – 5, but debutant Marquart walloped a Worsley full toss for a boundary, and Muthu finished the game with a single that should never have been. FP’s 75 – 5 off 19.3 overs.
FP’s made heavy weather of finishing off QX, but overall it was a convincing performance which helps consolidate a mid table position in Grade 3.
Man of the Match – Karthik, a very welcome return to form for a key player in FP’s team.
Champagne moment – Doug Russell’s caught and rolled.
