FPs had lined up with 4 changes from the winning team from last week with Sam Knudson, James Lord, Aly MacDonald and Kieran Whyte returning.

James Lord took the new ball with Jerry Moir and after a tight opening spell, Lord struck to bowl Walker for 2.  Moments later he also clean bowled McRitchie who had not settled at all and fell for a duck.  Lord’s opening spell of 6 overs were accurate costing just 16 and his replacement Sam Knudson was also on the mark, striking twice in his 3rd over, first bowling Flett for 8 before having Stuart take a smart catch at point to remove Viegay for 2.

Stuart replaced the super economical Moir and after being hit for six first ball, he settled into his work and clean bowled Goking for 5.  Kintore then managed to keep FPs at bay for a long spell before Stuart clean bowled Cowie for a duck before retiring Davidson hurt first ball.

He was joined by Eagles in the attack and after 4 probing overs, Eagles struck twice, first to remove the opener Thomas for a well played 31, stumped by yards by wicketkeeper Morrison and then having Ross caught for a duck by Stuart at silly point.

Stuart picked up a 3rd wicket bowling Parry for a duck and MacDonald finished things off bowling Ramsay for a duck with his 4th ball.

A score of 63 all out in 34.4 overs was well below par and was due to a strong bowling and fielding performance but also due to Kintore’s hugely depleted squad.  Bowling figures were Lord 6-0-16-2, Moir 9-5-6-0, Sam Knudson 6-2-14-2, Stuart 8-3-19-3, Eagles 5-18-2 and MacDonald 0.4-0-0-1.

With the rain falling steadily FPs began their innings but after 14 balls the players left the field at 6 for no loss and with weather showing no signs of improvement, there was no choice but to call the game off as void.

FPs now turn their attention to the double header at Crathie in the league and cup next week, which are likely to present the toughest tests to date this season.

FP’s had two debutants, Kamran and Raam, Mike Hart made his annual comeback and Raj travelled up from Edinburgh to help us out again.

The weather was pleasantly sunny but breezy and the wicket was very dry with patches of green. Grammar won the toss and Portcullis were asked bat first.

Karthik opened the bowling from the River End with Magesh bowling from the Bandstand end. Opening batsman Venu immediately went for his shots hitting 4 x 4s and a 6 in his first seven scoring shots, grunting like Monica Seles with the effort. But it was the fielding side who were grunting when he was dropped first over off Karthik. The score was 31 when Magesh had Kris easily caught by Karthik for 1 run in the 6th over. New batsman Rahul also attacked from the start, with 5 x 4′s in his first seven scoring shots, and with the score on 58 -1 after 11 overs, Youles replaced Magesh (5-0-32-1) from the Bandstand end.

This inspired bowling change had an immediate impact when Venu was bowled first ball. Youles took a second wicket in his second over when Chetan was very well caught by Raj at deep square leg, score 77 – 3, 13.3 overs.

Hart replaced Karthik and his first two overs were punished by Rahul, conceding 23 runs. But at the other end, Youles struck again when Cox was bowled for 7, score 113 – 5, 18 overs. Hart was allowed to continue, and conceded only 2 runs in his next 4 overs, and claimed 2 wickets, having Van Heerden well held by Kamran in the covers, and then reacting very quickly to take a return catch from Collinson in the same over. Portcullis were now 126 – 7, 25 overs.

Youles had not taken a wicket for two overs and was replaced by Karthik from the bandstand end, Youles bowled 7-0-30-4 on his successful comeback from injury.

The Portcullis total was given a boost by a flurry of extras, but Hart (10-2-33-4) continued his wicket taking spell when he bowled Wilson for a duck, and then Adie was caught by Luigi Govil for 5, a catch Govil would not have got near in a previous lifestyle, which probably explains the dramatic post catch double somersault. As a reward Govil replaced Karthik (10-1-55-0) and bowled a tidy spell of 1.1 overs before Hall was run out as he desperately tried to avoid facing Govil.

Portcullis total 160 all out off 33.1 overs, a good scoring rate helped by some early season catching where it looked like the FP’s fielders couldn’t catch flu in Mexico, but fortunately things improved, and catches held eventually overtook catches dropped. There were also several shots which just fell wide of fielders. Karthik in particular was unfortunate, having three catches dropped off his bowling. Wicketkeeper Fraser kept the extras total down to a reasonable early bowl of the season level with some excellent stops.

Grammar opened the batting with 56 overs to score the required runs and two experienced openers in Fryer and Youles. But FP’s suffered an early setback when Youles was bowled second over for a duck attempting to pull a ball which may have kept a little low, may have, but didn’t. New batsman Govil then completed Chetan’s first over by hitting two 4′s. Fryer fatally went back to Chetan and was given out LBW for 7 in the 4th over, score 18-2.

More enthusiastic appealing followed, but Govil and Johnston added 40 chanceless runs when Johnston was bowled by Venu for 7.

Govil had been driving the ball with great timing and hit 7 x 4′s when he was caught in the covers for a quick 38 runs, score 60 – 4, 13 overs. Govil’s batting had meant that Grammar were ahead of the required scoring rate.

Karthik and Fraser looked comfortable as they added 50 runs at four an over, and just as Portcullis were obviously losing heart, Karthik was give out LBW to Rahul for 31, score 110 – 5, 24.1 overs. Next ball Hart was clean bowled and suddenly the FP’s were struggling. Magesh survived the hat trick ball, despite a loud appeal for LBW before the ball had even reached the batsman(!)

Portcullis had Magesh bowled by Rahul for 2, score 119-7, and the writing was on the wall for Grammar when Raam was out caught by an alert mid on for a duck. Kamran was next out to a very close LBW for 1, and after a long over of extras, Fraser was last man out bowled by Chetan by the unplayable ball of the day for a fighting 12 runs. Grammar all out 132 off 31.2 overs.

While Govil , Karthik and Fraser were batting a victory for the FP’s was a distinct possibility, but once Portcullis gained the upper hand there was no stopping them.

However FP’s gained 17 points from the defeat, a reasonable return from the first completed match of the season.

Man of the Match – Karthik, bowled without luck, fielded brilliantly, scored 31 runs.

Dickie fresh from an unbeaten 96 in last week’s Artisan’s abandonment started positively looking to attack anything wide, but after edging one over the slips for four, Miller took a sharp return catch to leave Artisans on 7 for 1.  Munro joined the wall like Chisholm and went on the attack from ball one, cover driving Miller for 4 and attacking anything in his half to race onto 14.  However, with the score on 25, his miscued a full toss from Miller and Morrison dived forward at cover to claim a good catch.

Miller, despite claiming 2 for 19 in 4 overs, was clearly struggling with his shoulder and he had to give way to Stuart.  After opening with a big wide, Stuart soon found his line and length, and kept Yadav quiet. After becoming frustrated at being unable to get off the mark, he then had a huge mow at Stuart and was bowled off stump for a duck.

Things got worse for Artisans as Charan took off for a quick single, only to be sent back and run out by a fine throw from Budd for a duck.  Eagles joined the attack and struck almost immediately having Khan adjudged LBW for a duck, in his next over he then pinned Thomson plumb LBW for a duck as Artisans slumped to 52 for 6.

Robertson joined opener Chisholm and played some lusty shots as the score was lifted to 80 but tried one big shot too many to be bowled by Eagles for 18.  Irvine took a similar approach to Robertson, hitting 3 fours in a brisk 17 before he was easily stumped by Clelland off Eagles.  C Robertson next took up the attack but having hit Eagles for 6, he tried to repeat the feat and was bowled for 10.

Last man Joyce joined the oburate Chisholm and played some fine shots hitting Moir for 2 fours, however with the score on 130, he set off for a tight single to be sent back by Chisholm and he could not beat Eagles direct hit from mid wicket to be run out by 15.

Once again FPs had failed to remove Chisholm as he batted 45 overs for 25 not out, but they did well to take the other 10 wickets to leave Artisans with a sub par total.  Eagles was the bowling hero with 12 overs 5 for 26 with 2 maidens but he was well supported by Miller 1-0-19-2, Moir 10-3-25-0, Stuart 12-2-35-1 and Knudson 6.2-0-8-0.

Lord and Budd set off at a good pace chasing the 131 target, with Lord looking in particularly good form, dominating an opening partnership of 44 with Budd, hitting 4 fours in a 47 ball stay for 24, before being bowled by Naidu.  Clelland joined Budd and they played some good cricket turning 1s into 2s and grabbing quick singles in an entertaining stand of 49 before Thomson had Budd LBW for 29.

Moir joined Clelland and looked to attack driving elegantly for 4 twice as the score moved to 105.  However, Clelland was adjudged LBW for 10 off Irvine despite some indication he had hit the ball into his pads.  When Moir fell moments later for 10, caught by Yadav off Irvine, FPs were wobbling at 111 for 4.  However, some no nonsense hitting by Miller ensured victory was quickly attained with Frizzell offering support at the other end.

FPs cause was greatly helped as once again extras top scored, amazingly this time with 49 including 25 byes.

It was another solid performance, and FPs will be looking to extend their winning run when 2nd Kintore visit next week.

The weather was sunny as the match started,  Stoney-Dyce winning the toss and deciding to bat first.

Karthik opened the bowling from the Cromwell Road end, and was unlucky when a sharp chance was dropped in the second over. Blyth opened from the Pavillion End, but both opening batsmen looked solid. Blyth’s opening spell, 6-0-24-0.

Phillips replaced Blyth and immediately looked dangerous. He took a wicket in his third over when he bowled Ahmed for 12, score 53-1. Karthik had bowled 8 accurate overs for 21 runs, and was replaced by Magesh, bowling off breaks.

Magesh struck in his second over when Karthik took a tricky catch at mid wicket, doing well to hold on to the ball as he slipped on the damp grass. Two overs later Magesh took a second wicket, having Rodgers caught by Fraser in the covers for 5, score 54-2 after 18 overs.

Stoney-Dyce batsman Leask was batting very well, reaching his 50 with a powerful drive for 4. The wet ball was beginning to cause problems for the bowlers and Leask and Anderson both scored quickly. As the rain became heavier and the wicket became dangerously slippery, an early tea was agreed, Stoney-Dyce having scored 168-3 off 34.4 overs.

With no sign of the rain easing off, and no chance of the wicket or outfield drying, the match was abandoned.

Prior to the rain, the bowling had been accurate despite limited pre-season practice. The ground fielding was sharp on a difficult outfield, and the backing up was first class, with Houghton in particular shining.

FPs lined up with a stong eleven comprising John Lord, Budd, debutant Kieran Whyte, Frizzell, Moir, MacDonald, Morrison, Eagles, Knudson, James Lord and Miller.

Captain Knudson called correctly at the toss and invited Fraserburgh to bat.  It took only until the 4th over for FPs to strike with James Lord having Watson caught for a duck at point by Whyte.  Miller soon made it 10 for 2 as he had dangerman Corey Bowie caught at mid on by Whyte badly miscuing a hook.

Ironside and L Bowie then consolidated raising the score to 35 before the former feathered a catch down the legside to keeper Morrison to take a simple catch.  At 35 for 3 Fraserburgh were in some trouble but within 8 overs they were dead and buried at 38 for 8.

Firstly, Flowerdew gave a simple caught and bowled to Miller and with Eagles introduced to the attack  Bowie was caught behind by Morrison for a duck.  Amin could only manage one, tamely offering Moir a return catch and Souter also picked up a duck edging an easy chance to Morrison.  Two balls later Eagles out foxed Barnett, comfortably stumped by Morrison for a duck.

Fraserburgh through Gospel and Lawrence did mange to pick up a point with a useful stand of 20 at which point skipper Knudson replaced Moir and instantly had Gospel caught for 13 by Whyte.  Eagles dealt with Rennie with Morrison claiming another catch as Fraserburgh were bowled out for 59.

All the bowlers were in good form with Lord bowling tidily at the start 6-2-12-1, Miller looking quick and dangerous with 12-2-19-3 Moir only conceeding 4 scoring shots in his 12 -8-10-2, Eagles as wily as ever with 7.5-4-16-3 and Knudson bowling 1 wicket maiden over.

On a pitch with movement FPS had to play sensibly and after a cautious start, they lost Lord for a duck, well caught by Ironside with the score on 15.  MacDonald was promoted up the order and added 14 with Budd before he was bowled by Rennie for 12. 

With rain falling Whyte looked to push for the victory and launched his 3rd ball for six over square leg, however he soon also perished bowled by Rennie for 8.  Frizzell came in at 5 and quickly ensured vistory was secured cutting Lawrence over point for 6 as he made 12 not out from 10 balls faced.  At the other end Budd batted right through for 13 not out from 49 balls.

Overall it was a good start to the season with a good bowling and fielding display.  However, next week will prove a sterner test as FPs face Artisans who they lost to twice last season and drew once.  No doubt Hamish Chisholm will again be looking to keep up his extraordinary record v FPS.

This website will soon allow you to advise how to access this once available. Fixture lists can be viewed on the website and there are a few cup games on a Sunday and the sevens competition in June.

There will be practice at Rubislaw on Thursday’s from 1800hrs onwards although we will not have the nets available, so we will use the artificial and possibly the bowling machine instead. We should have the nets available the week after.

The nets are currently being upgraded and extended to improve our practise facilities and this improvement will hopefully be worth waiting for.

New playing shirts are also due to arrive this week and will be available for the bargain price of £20.

Finally, anyone who has not yet paid subs can do so either online or by sending a cheque to Geoff Morrison.

There were two changes to the team, out through injury went James Lord, and Edinburgh based Pradeep was spared the trip to Aberdeen as in came Rory Annand, and due to make his debut was Kevin Warner. Unfortunately Warner was a very, very late call off, and had it not been for a B&Q non-delivery of a fence for Geoff Morrison, we would have been one man short.

As it was Tom Murray was delayed at work, and Karthik and Rizwan were due to leave early, but the problem of deciding whether to bat or bowl first with two men short was removed when FPs lost the toss and Stoneywood-Dyce decided to bat.

Nine man Grammar opened the bowling with in form Karthik and much improved Mike Phillips. It was Phillips who took the first wicket in his first over when the dangerous Moir was very well caught by Annand at deep point. For the next 10 overs the opening bowlers bowled fast and accurately, well backed up by some excellent fielding, despite a surprisingly lumpy outfield which took a couple of out-fielders by surprise. Closer to the wicket, Morrison in particular was outstanding.

With the score on 40 after 12 overs, Phillips was rested after an excellent spell of 6 – 2 – 25 – 1. Magesh was brought on and in his third over bowled Cohen for 18, score 45 – 2.

Meanwhile at the other end Karthik was bowling with great accuracy, but little luck, and finished his opening spell with 9 – 4 – 15 – 0, a great effort.

Rizwan replaced Karthik and took a wicket in his second over when McPherson was bowled for 18 runs by the perfect yorker, S-D score 57 – 3.

Murray was a late arrival for FPs, but soon made a big impact when sharp fielding and a fast return, which was excellently collected by keeper Mike Lloyd, had Maxfield run out for 10, S-D score 72 – 4.

Magesh was bowling as accurately as Karthik had done, his first seven overs going for a miserly 8 runs. The pressure paid off when Alexander was caught and bowled by Magesh for 18, S-D score 86 – 5. Grammar were hoping to finish off S-D quickly, but Tindall and Holt added an excellent 48 runs with Tindall playing especially well off the back foot through the covers, and off his legs.

Magesh maintained his accurate spell, finishing his 12 overs of pace and spin with 12 – 2 – 26 – 2, some effort considering 12 runs came off 2 overs.

Rizwan finished his opening spell with 9 – 2 – 44 – 1, and Karthik and Phillips came back on to bowl as S-D attempted to score runs quickly. With the score on 137, Tindall was bowled by Phillips for 33.

Next over another great piece of fielding by Murray had Holt run out for 14. Grammar were looking for maximum bowling points, but Urquhart and Rayner rode their luck and added 24 valuable runs as S-D completed their 46 overs scoring 159 – 7.

Magesh and Karthik had bowled 24 overs, and conceded a mere 52 runs, taking 2 wickets, outstanding figures. Phillips bowled 11 overs, his most in a match this season, 11 – 2 – 39 – 2, and showed great promise for the future. Rizwan was unlucky to be bowling at Tindall when he was going for his shots, and bowled 11 – 2 – 61 – 1.

Considering FPs had only four bowlers playing, and fielded for a good spell with at least one fielder missing, this was an excellent performance.

However, there was one disappointing incident at the end of the S-D innings when experienced FPs player Morrison, having much earlier shown dissent to an umpire for an unsuccessful run out appeal, then questioned the umpire about the decision as they were leaving the pitch. The umpire was not in the least impressed at this behavior, but accepted the player’s apology. There is no point in us complaining about other team’s ill discipline when we behave in the same way, and it was a poor example to the youngsters playing.

Grammar opened the batting with our two most consistant batsmen Rob Fryer and Karthik. The openers gave FPs the perfect start with a stand of 33 in only six overs before Karthik was excellently held at slip one handed by Moir of Urquhart for 15 runs. Rizwan and Fryer had added 22 runs when Rizwan was bowled by Tindall for 6 runs.

Johnston got off the mark with a drive through the covers off Moir, but soon after pulled a groin muscle. He batted on while waiting for a runner to get padded up and managed to pull Tindall for another four, but while still waiting for runner Houghton, was out caught at mid on off a tame drive. It was a brave shot given the circumstances, but summed up a disappointing season for the skipper which included 7 ducks.

Fryer was scoring with class shots all round the wicket, and Phillips had hit two lovely fours when he was out for 11, caught out to a shot he won’t be repeating this season and better not next season, FPs score 98 – 4.

Worse was to follow when Fryer, who was looking set for a fifty was caught by a tumbling catch by mid on off slow bowler Moir for 45 (4 x 4s), FPs score 99 – 5 off 25 overs. This left FPs to score 61 runs in 19 overs, a reasonable target given the batting strength in depth.

Tom Murray and Magesh had scored 16 runs in 5 overs when Magesh was out caught of Scottish international bowler Urquhart (Fiona!) for 6 runs, and very next over Murray was out stumped while giving Moir the charge. Murray should be charged with reckless driving for that accident.

The pressure was now on, but experienced batsmen Geoff Morrison and Rory Annand calmly and sensibly took control of the situation. Morrison drove Urquhart for a violent straight four, and Annand played a couple of text book sweep shots for four to keep the FPs ahead of the run rate. They also took some excellent sharp singles to keep the score moving and S-D were obviously rattled by the quick running.

But with only 5 runs required, Annand uncharacteristically chased a wide ball, and was well caught by Moir above his head at wide first slip for 13 runs. S-D were right back in with a shout as tension mounted, but Morrison and Mike Lloyd were unfazed by the situation, and scored the winning run off the first ball of the last over.

Grammar final score 160 – 8 wickets, Morrison scoring an excellent not out 22 and Lloyd not out 3.

This was the third victory in four matches for FPs, and took us off bottom place in Grade 3. It was a good team performance, everyone taking wickets, fielding well or scoring runs. Our fielding was complimented by the opposition, and probably was the difference between the teams.

Man of the Match: Rob Fryer, his batting set us up for victory, fielded well and is a fan of Sir Geoffrey Boycott.

Champagne Moment: Winning and finally getting off bottom place.

Sam Knudson was unavailable due to rugby friendlies, not relegation battles, just friendlies. But to replace him in the team from the firsts came all rounder James Lord. To ensure we had eleven this week, we had to send for one of our Edinburgh squad members, Pradeep.

After a week of rain the outfield was longer than usual, but not as soft as expected. Banchory arrived with more supporters than we have had team members on occasion, obviously word had got out about our recent form!

Grammar lost the toss and were asked to bat. Rob Fryer and skipper Johnston opened the batting against Banchory captain Pennington and Dickensen. Fryer smacked the first ball for four, the perfect start. Unfortunately tight bowling and the long grass meant that was the last boundary for 12 overs, during which time Johnston was bowled without troubling the scorers, probably ruining his chances of topping the averages.

James Lord and Fryer found piercing the field hard going, excellent shots stopping short of the boundary, but they brought up the fifty in the 17th over.

Lord had just hit Perry for four when he was out for 19. Karthik started carefully as Banchory continued to bowl and field tightly.

With the score on 57, Fryer was out for 39 (3 x 4s). Tom Murray joined Karthik but was soon bowled by Perry, FPs score 73 – 4. Mike Lloyd and Karthik added 17 before Karthik was out bowled by Pennington for a well constructed 23, score 91 – 5 off 34 overs. Soon after Lloyd, having survived a couple of close LBW shouts, was bowled by youngster Crawley for 5.

Following his heroics last week, Magesh was promoted up the order, and immediately looked in the mood again, hitting Wilkinson for a four and a two. Unfortunately next ball he fatally went back to and was out LBW for 8. Rizwan was next man in and had scored three when he drove a wide ball back at Wilkinson and was caught and bowled. At 116 – 8, the Grammar score looked 30 – 40 runs short of a winning total, but Mike Phillips and Harry Houghton batted excellently adding 20 quick runs with a mixture of good shots and much improved running between the wickets. Phillips was eventually out for 23 (2 x 4s). Houghton and last man Pradeep put on 10 valuable runs, including a unique periscope shot from Houghton while ducking under a short ball. Unfortunately, soon after resurfacing, Houghton was bowled for 8, leaving Pradeep 3 n.o.

Grammar total 146 all out in 45.3 overs. This was a decent score against one of the tightest bowling sides in Grade 3, but only four Grammar batsmen got into double figures.

Following hopefully our last al fresco tea interval, Grammar opened the bowling with in-form Karthik from the Cromwell Road end. With his second ball, he had Campbell out LBW for 0, a vital wicket as Campbell had scored a fifty earlier in the season against FPs. James Lord was bowling into the wind from the Pavillion End, but did not settle and Magesh replaced him after three overs. Banchory had scored 24 – 1 in 6 overs when Karthik bowled Redpath for 9.

The bowling from both ends was tight, and Banchory had reached 52 off 17 overs when Perry was brilliantly caught by keeper Lloyd down the leg side off his gloves.

Pennington and Wilkinson had put on 22 runs batting well against accurate bowling from Lord (9 – 0 – 26 – 0) and Magesh, when Magesh, cleverly deciding to reverting to bowling off breaks, had dangerman Pennington well caught by Lord for 30, Banchory score 74 – 4 after 21 overs.

This left Banchory to score a further 73 off 23 overs with 6 wickets left, but aided by FPs being reduced to 10 men when top fielder Murray had to leave early.

Wilkinson and Hicks batted with caution, but hit the occasional bad ball to the boundary, adding 36 in 12 overs.

Phillips came on to replace Magesh who bowled 12 – 0 – 45 – 2, and immediately looked like taking a wicket with every ball. His new found consistent line, length and pace was rewarded when he bowled Crawley for 9. At the other end, Rizwan was bowling well but without luck as a couple of chances were missed.

Karthik replaced Rizwan and it took him all of three balls this time to take a wicket, having key man Wilkinson well caught by Lloyd at short cover with three fielders converging on the ball, a nervous “Naeem” moment for the Grammar supporters.

Four runs later, Phillips, bowling his best spell for Grammar, bowled Rowett for a duck, score 127 – 7 off 39.2 overs, leaving Banchory 20 runs short with 5 overs remaining. Unfortunately for Grammar, a couple of chances and a possible run out were missed as Banchory went for the runs. Phillips had bowled 5 – 0 – 12 – 2 when Dickensen hit a 6 to tie the scores. In the next over Hicks scored the winning run, and Banchory had beaten Grammar by 3 wickets with two overs remaining. Banchory scored 147 – 7 in 42.4 overs.

This was a great game played of cricket, played in a good atmosphere throughout. Although now relegated to Grade 4, Grammar can take great encouragement from their last three performances, beating Dunecht and table toppers Turriff away and pushing promotion seekers Banchory all the way. Both Turriff and Banchory commented on the fact that we are bottom of Grade 3 yet played so well.

This week some of the batting was not up to previous levels, and our catching let us down, we missed four catches, none easy, but all catchable on a good day.

Man of the Match: A close decision goes to Mike Phillips who scored 23 runs and took 2 – 23, his best performance by a distance for FPs

Champagne Moment: Harry Houghton’s submarine impression.

Back from holiday came Tom Murray, and back from Partyland came Mike Phillips. Kevin Warner was all ready to make his debut, and flew his wife over from the West Indies especially to watch, only for him to fall foul of Scottish flu on the Friday night, and sadly he had to call off on Saturday morning.

This meant the 2nd XI had to travel to Grade 3 leaders Turriff with only 10 men. Having been told a few nights earlier that a full strength FP’s team were once all out against Turriff for 11, including 2 dubious extras to bring the total to double figures, I decided not to pass on that fascinating piece of cricket trivia to the team.

Our first toss against Turriff for many years was lost, and we were asked to bat on a greenish wicket, but the outfield was in good condition considering the recent weather and Turriff Show.

Rob Fryer and Sam Knudson opened the innings and after 6 chancless overs were 13 -0. Knudson then decided to force the pace and hit a 4 and a big 6 to take the total to 26, and having scored 19, he sliced a drive and was caught off a skier, at slip!

Johnston came in at three, and was got off the mark with a pull for 4. Fryer was by now timing the ball sweetly hitting boundaried all round the wicket. Fryer and Johnston added 51 at four an over without taking any chances, and Turriff were beginning to get a bit twitchy. But with the score on 77, Johnston was bowled by Shah for 16. Unfortunately Fryer was out bowled next over by Smith for an excellent 36 (6×4), FP’s score 79 – 3.

Karthik and Mike Phillips had to face a resurgent Turriff, and runs became hard to come by. In the 30th over with the score on 89, Phillips was out caught off Lang for 1. Worse was to come when Karthik was controversially adjudged LBW for 5, and Grammar were 102 -5 in 35 overs.

Tom Murray was next in and proceeded to bat very solidly, and with Mike Lloyd added 13 runs before Lloyd was out caught off Smith, having just hit an excellent boundary. Rizwan and the solid Murray took the score from 113 to 124 when Rizwan was caught behind off Shah for 5.

Harry Houghton batted with good sense, and he and Murray put on a valuable 13 runs before Murray decided to open up, and put all his weight behind a straight drive which bowler Shah somehow managed to hang onto, catching the ball above his head. Murray scored 12 valuable runs, with one four. The ball had to be prised out of Shah’s hand.

Magesh was last man in and with only two overs to go immediately hit the Turriff top bowler for four, then pinched a single to retain the strike. Next over, opening bowler Smith who had 2- 28 off 11 overs, then suffered as Magesh smashed a huge 6 over long on.

Magesh took a single, and next ball he and Houghton turned a half a run into a certain run out into a single as they imitated the running between the wickets of two men who had misplaced their guide dogs. Magesh stopped laughing long enough to wallop Smith for an even bigger 6, meaning the last over had gone for 16 priceless runs, taking us well over the 150 as we finished on 158 – 8 off 46 overs.

This was a good batting performance with everyone contributing runs and seven partnerships over ten runs. It may not sound much, but this was Grade 3’s top team bowling on their home pitch which offered awkward lift and the ball swung late through the air.

Knudson is obviously learning fast, as he was quick to book the end with the wind behind him to open the bowling, meaning Karthik had to do all the hard work. Justice was done when Karthik had opener Nadagouda caught at the second attempt by Murray at point for 3, Turriff 9- 1 after 4 overs. Knudson bowled with great pace and had Chalmers LBW for 6, Turriff 39 – 2. The only scoring shots off his opening spell (6 -0 – 18 – 1) were edges over and past slip.

At the other end, Karthik had bowled 4 overs for only 9 runs when opener Smart decided to go for his shots, and hit a couple of sixes to push Turriff past 50 in the 13th over. Rizwan was next to bowl, but asked to bowl spin instead of his usual line and length medium pace. He did spin a few, but Smart took a shine to his bowling and hit Rizwan for 3 x 4’s in one over with powerful cut shots through the covers. New batsman Shah was also looking dangerous and they added 68 quick runs and looked to have the game won for Turriff at 107 – 2, when Smart, who had pulled a hamstring bowling suddenly retired hurt on 58!

This was the break Grammar desperately needed, and at the suggestion of vice captain Fryer, the team had a chat and re-group and immediately looked the stronger team. Rizwan, reverting to his medium pace style had the classy Shah well caught by keeper Lloyd for 25, and then Magesh, replacing Karthik (10 – 0 – 42 – 1), took a quick wicket bowling skipper Smith for a duck. Rizwan had Laing well caught at slip by Houghton, and Turriff were now wobbling on 109 – 5.

Turriff were in deeper trouble when Knudson came back for a second spell this time into the wind, and immediately bowled Cranna for 6, Turriff 122 – 6 off 32 overs.

The scoring was now restricted to singles and extras, and although bowling fast, Knudson was conceding several wides as he found bowling into the wind more difficult.

Rizwan finished his spell looking like taking a wicket with every ball, and with the last ball of his allotted overs (12 – 0 – 56 – 3), he bowled Stephen for a duck. This was a good come back by Rizwan after taking some punishment from Smart.

Turriff were now shot less, and Knudson kept up the pressure when he bowled Soper for 3. The only way Turriff would win the game was by Grammar conceding extras as Knudson and Karthik desperately tried to take the last wicket as the overs ran out. Catches fell into the spaces where the eleventh man would have been fielding as tension mounted, but the Grammar fielders remained focused, and fielded sharply.

Karthik (12 – 0 – 45 – 1) and Knudson (12 – 2 – 27 – 3) both finished their allotted overs but were unable to take the vital last wicket as Kirk and Moar defended desperately.

With only 3 overs remaining, Magesh, the man with ice and just a hint of lager in his veins was called up to take the last wicket, and after only two balls, tempted Kirk to turn the ball to square leg. The ball seemed to lob in slow motion to Karthik who had time to read a newspaper as he waited for the ball to arrive. He had no sooner folded the imaginary paper under his arm when the ball landed gently in his hands, and bottom club Grammar FP’s 2nd XI had stunned league leaders Turriff on their home ground, winning by 13 runs.

In the end a well deserved victory for ten men Grammar. Good batting, good bowling despite an awkward wind and a great effort seizing the initiative from Turriff when the opportunity arose. That’s two wins in a row, and a real chance of avoiding relegation, weather permitting.

Man of the Match – Magesh, swash buckling innings taking us over 150, 2 wickets for 8 runs, and fielded well.

Champagne Moment – Karthik’s cool catch to seal victory.

Kit Bag Packer – Young Harry’s cricket education continues

FPs once again lost the toss and were invited to bat and with Budd missing it was Lord and Knudson who opened.  They set about a weak attack and quickly built a 74 run partnership with little alarm before Vyas bowled Skipper Knudson for an aggressive 28 which contained 2 sixes.  The new batsmen joined Lord who was already past 50, but their partnership was quickly broken as Lord was Caught off the bowling of Chisholm for 55.

Eagles and Youles both launched some lusty blows, with Dickie taking some serious punishment.  However, Artisans struck back with first Eagles caught at point off Chisholm and then Youles caught at mid wicket as FPS fell back to 158 for 4 in the 26th over.

McDonald and Clelland continued the aggressive approach with McDonald hitting 3 fours in a brisk 21 before Morrison was dismissed for 8 3rd ball, hitting Joyce through midwicket twice for four and then being caught on the boundary off  a full toss.

Craig Fraser hammered a quickfire 24 not out and was ably assisted by Gary Stuart 8 not out as FPs declared in 40 overs on 248 for 8.

Looking for Early wickets Stuart and James Lord opened the bowling and Stuart struck in his fourth over bowling Ritchie.  Eagles introduction then brought almost instant results as Stuart held a stunning catch at square leg to dismiss Munro.  Eagles had his 2nd wicket 10 balls later bowling Thomson and when Frizell caught M Munro, FPs looked in command with Artisans struggling on 47 for 4.  Eagles continued to chip away and Fraser held Ashish at mid on as Eagles claimed his fourth and FPs 5th wicket.

With Youles claiming the wickets of Joyce and Ram with 15 overs still remaining it looked certain FPs would close out victory, however as has so often been the case this season they could not clean up the tail as Chisholm and Vikranth combined until the 48th over until Stuart eventually had Vikranth caught.  John Dickie held firm for the remaining 14 balls as Artisans closed on 130 for 8 in 50 overs, Chisholm carrying his bat for 43 not out.

Eagles was the top bowler with 4 for 11 from 8 overs.