Junior practice sessions are on Thursday afternoons (4.15-6.00pm) and  Saturday mornings (9.30-11.00am). If you are available to assist at any of the games or practice sessions then please contact John directly or leave a comment on the website.

Fixture List

• Wednesday 6th May – Banchory U15 (H)
• Wednesday 13th May – Stoneywood-Dyce U15 (A)
• Sunday 17th May – Huntly U17 (H) – to be confirmed
• Wednesday 27th May – Stonehaven U15 (H)
• Sunday 31st May – Stoneywood-Dyce U17 (A) – to be confirmed
• Wednesday 3rd June – Mannofield U15 (H)
• Wednesday 10th June – Banchory U15 (A)
• Sunday 14th June – Mannofield U17 (H)
• Wednesday 17th June – Stoneywood-Dyce U15 (H)
• Wednesday 1st July – Stoneywood-Dyce U15 (A)

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.

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

However, it was MacDonald who hauled FPs back into the match when he tempted Findlay out of his crease to have him expertly stumped by Clelland, standing up, for a well played 23. Jerry Moir was by now into the attack after a double change and he removed dangerman Jamieson with a slightly loose delivery which Jamieson could only direct in the direction of Eagles. Initially, he appeared not to sight it, but managed to dive forward claiming a good low catch to reduce Queens Cross to 66 for 2.  They were soon 69 for 4 as first Moir had Blair Findlay caught by Clelland after a loose shot and then MacDonald had Shepherd caught by Roland Knudson at mid off for a duck.

MacDonald picked up his third wicket soon after with Russell brilliantly caught in the deep by John Lord. A diving effort on the run going to his right will be hard to beat for catch of the season. This left Queens Cross on 77 for 5 with Hutton and Murphy at the wicket.

After being beaten a number of times by Jerry Moir outside the off stump, Moir straightened his line to comprehensively bowl him leg stump for 5. Jamieson snr was the new batsman but he aimed a truly awful smash at Eagles and was stumped by yards. FPs had ideas of finishing Queens Cross off for around 100, but a useful partnership between Hutton and Bell carried the score towards 150 before Bell was caught by Knudson when Tomkins returned to the attack for 23. With his partner dismissed and batting with a runner, Hutton soon perished, bowled by Knudson for a well played 36. The innings closed on 152 when Tomkins bowled last man Taylor for 1.

Overall 152 looks a competitive score mainly thanks to the fast start and useful 8th wicket stand. James Lord was slightly off colour with 5 overs for 29, Tomkins bowled some good balls and will certainly be an asset this summer with 2 for 38 and Eagles and Knudson provided some tidy spin with 1 for 29 and 1 for 17 respectively. The star bowlers however were MacDonald with 10 overs 3 for 24 and the magnificent Jerry Moir whose 12 overs included 8 maidens as he picked up 3 for 9.

Lord opened the batting with Clelland and FPs were soon in trouble as first Clelland was caught down the leg side by Murphy off the bowling of Jamieson and then Muthu departed for a second ball duck caught by K Findlay at mid off, leaving FPs 15 for 2. Dallas Moir joined Lord at the crease and took some time playing himself in, failing to score from his first 11 balls. After 14 overs FPs had reached 27 for 2, but just 14 overs later 129 additional runs had been added as Moir got into full flow.

The introduction of Taylor seemed to be the catalyst, as Moir launched him for some enormous blows as he was hit out of the attack in 3 overs which cost 31 runs, mainly in boundaries. Kieran Findlay was next to have a bowl but threw in the towel after 1 over which went for 13. With Queens Cross clearly up against it, their captain with overs still to bowl, retired to deep mid wicket and left his team mates to try and stem the flow of runs. Next to have a crack was Blair Findlay but he was dealt with in a similar style but at least deserves credit for sticking at it for 3 overs which cost 25. The final bowler used was Bell and his 13 balls were also massacred in fine style by Moir as he conceeded 27. Moir hit the winning runs, not surprisingly a six to finish on 97 not out from 66 balls in 76 minutes.  He hit 10 fours and 7 sixes.

This also meant the stand had been 129 unbroken and Lord deserves great credit for a very fine innings at the other end, where he played the opening bowlers with great sense early on and was happy to pick off the bad balls in a very fine 38 not out which contained 5 well struck boundaries. His blunting of the opening attack certainly allowed Moir free reign to dismantle the change bowlers. It could be some time before an FPs batsman plays a more destructive innings.

Next up for FPs is a tricky home match versus old foes Gordonians.

FPs won the toss and decided to bowl first on a slightly damp surface and lined up with Clelland back behind the stumps. Stuart, James Lord and Budd returned to the side with the evergreen John Eagles making a first start of the season. Youles, MacDonald, Sam Knudson and the injured Moir dropped out.

James Lord took the new ball with Glen Millar and with only 7 on the board, Millar struck with a beauty clean bowling Bowie who had the look of a very fine player indeed. FPs managed to keep things tight in the opening exchanges with some terrific ground fielding, bouncing back after lasts weeks shambolic showing.

In the 11th over, Lord picked up his only wicket with a high full toss which Watson could only guide to Budd at midwicket, to reduce Fraserburgh to 26 for 2. The wily Eagles was then brought into the attack and he struck almost immediately, tempting Mutch out of his crease, to be brilliantly stumped by Clelland, once again proving why he is the best wicketkeeper in Grades cricket.

With things still well in FPs favour at 43 for 3 in 17 overs, Stuart was brought into the attack for the tiring Millar. Millar’s figures being a hugely impressive 1 for 5 in 9 overs with only a no ball and an edge through slips the runs conceded. Stuart’s first over gave no indication what was about to unfold as he was hit for three fours by the stylish Oldham. However, in his next three overs he demolished the middle order as first be brilliant yorked Oldham for 23, then had Flowerdean well caught at square leg by Budd before he trapped Ironside plumb LBW to reduce the home side to 58 for 6.

This brought L Bowie and Souter together who shared a useful partnership of 32 mainly due to some lusty hitting by Souter, who clubbed 2 sixes over midwicket, one of which Fraser was unfortunate not to hold on to at full stretch on the boundary.

However, when Eagles had Souter well caught by a tumbling John Lord at gully for 22, the innings quickly subsided as Stuart mopped up the tail, bowling L Bowie, having Amin caught at slip by Fraser and castling Clark 2nd ball to finish with 6 for 23 from 11.3 overs.

It had been a fine bowling display all round with Eagles ending up with 12-2-45-2, Millar 8-5-5-1, Lord 6-0-21-1, Stuart 11.3-3-23-6 and Knudson 2-0-6-0.  It had been well complimented with an excellent fielding display with many runs saved and only one very tricky chance dropped. Moreover, it suggested that the week before versus Kemnay was perhaps nothing more than a blip.

After an excellent tea, FPs started their chase with Budd and Lord opening the innings. Both looked in good form, and Budd advanced to 10 from 39 balls but played all round a full delivery from Soutar to be bowled with the score 25 for 1. This brought Clelland in at 3 and he and Lord shared a partnership of 57 which took the game away from Fraserburgh.

With Lord happy to look to bat through, it was Clelland who unleashed a barrage of shots, depositing any bad balls he received for 4 down the ground and also clearing the pavilion with a big six over square leg. He hits 5 fours, 1 six and after a 77 ball innings was bowled by the impressive Rennie for 37.

Young James Lord replaced him at 4 and looked in good touch tucking a fine 4 off his legs. Unfortunately his innings was to end in a comedy run out as he hooked a short delivery well to Oldham at square leg, and called for an impossible single. An unimpressed John Lord, sent his son back, but James Lord by this time had gone too far and was stranded 10 yards down the pitch as Oldham threw down the stumps to end his innings. Perhaps affected by this, Lord snr was then promptly LBW for a well made 22 from 68 balls by Soutar as FPs stumbled towards the winning line.

Millar however, was not in the mood to hang about and quickly finished the game with 2 thumping 4s as he and Eagles saw FPs to a well deserved 6 wicket victory in what was good all round performance.

Plaudits must also go to Fraserburgh for their excellent sportsmanship, fine new facilities and excellent catering. Even though they were only promoted last year, they seem to have some excellent players and should stay well clear of the relegation zone. FPs now travel to St Ronald in what is likely to have a large bearing on their promotion chances, but if they can repeat their bowling and fielding performance, it should be a very close game.

The team to face Fraserburgh is:

John Lord, Budd, Clelland, James Lord, Eagles, Morrison, Miller, Muthu, Fraser, R Knudson, Stuart.

John Lord
M. Budd
J. Youles
J. Moir
James Lord
A. Macdonald
G. Miller
Muthu
G. Morrison
C. Fraser
R. Knudson

Meeting time is 11.45 at the Club.

Skipper Knudson, won the toss and had no hesitation in asking Academy to bat first. With Clelland unavailable, it was Fraser who kept wicket and a new opening attack of Sam Knudson and Youles who took the new ball. There was early excitement in Sam Knudson’s opening over as Kessell’s flashing drive flew quickly to John Lord at slip but he could not hang on to what would have been a stunning catch. However, Kessell failed to take advantage of the reprieve, playing all round a Youles delivery to be bowled for 3.

Academy’s centurion of last week Sunny came to the crease and unleashed some fine shots, particularly severe on anything remotely short. Liptrott and Sunny were adding quick runs and Knudson elected to replace Youles at the start of the 10th over with Stuart as the score had already reached 48 for 1. Initially the change made little difference as Academy stormed on to 63 for 1 until Stuart got one to lift from a good length which Sunny (32) could only edge through to the gleeful Fraser behind the stumps.

With this wicket, the brakes were firmly applied to Academy and Roland Knudson brought himself into the attack to bowl his off spin. He struck in only his second over with a high full toss which Liptrott could only help out to Morrison on the deep mid-wicket boundary and he made no mistake running in 10 yards to gather. Knudson struck again in his next over with Roshan playing on. Stuart then quickly added to Academy’s woes knocking back Afai’s leg stump for a duck leaving Academy on 81 for 5.

Davinder then blasted Knudson for his second six, but Knudson soon had his man as Davinder, trying for another maximum, could only top edge a delivery out to Sam Knudson at mid off who took a composed catch. Things were going from bad to worse for Academy by this stage and Stuart soon had Sintec gloving a lifting delivery to the keeper for 1. Stuart then struck again two balls later, pinning Derrett plumb LBW for 2, leaving Academy on 93 for 8. Knudson then struck once again in the next over, clean bowling Singh before Stuart picked up a well deserved 5 wicket haul, bowling Clark.

This left Academy all out for 97 off only 25.5 overs, having at one point been 63 for 1. Stuart was superb, controlling the swing well and ended up with 8.5-1-27-5. He was ably assisted by Roland Knudson 7-1-15-4 and it was their bowling which transformed the contest. Sam Knudson ended wicketless 6-0-31-0 and Youles finished with figures of 4-0-18-1.

Lord and Fryer opening the innings for FPs and were initially watchful, taking the score to 7 for 0 in 5 overs. However, Fryer soon fell bowled by Singh for 3. This brought Youles to the crease and he look to mix quick singles with lusty hitting. When beginning to look well set, however, he was bowled by Derrett for 15 leaving FPs on 32 for 2. The newly slimline Govil came to the crease and after being dropped a sitter on 1 by Roshan, he added some real impetous striking some fine cover drives and hitting a big six over long off. Govil dominated a stand of 32 with Lord but was well caught by Liptrott at cover off the bowling of Sintel, departing for a well made 23 from 24 balls.

This brought Fraser to the crease and he was unlucky when the 5th ball he faced kept low and he was correctly adjudged LBW for a duck. FPs were beginning to struggle now and were really up against it when first Lord was bowled by Sintel for 19 after a stay of 64 balls and then Roland Knudson edged a good ball from Singh to Sunny for a 5th ball duck.

This left FPs on 75 for 6 still requiring 22 for victory and both batsman Morrison and Sam Knudson were yet to score. They seemed to have things in hand as both Morrison and Knudson recorded boundaries, but the game was soon back in the balance as Morrison was bowled for 7 by the impressive Sintel. Sam Gill came out at number 9 and Academy were by now sensing an unlikely victory. However, there hopes were quickly snuffed out as young Knudson stamped his mark on the game taking 11 off Sid Singh’s next over to record a victory by 3 wickets. It was a highly composed effort from the 16 year old and his teammates were certainly indebted to his mature and composed innings of 16 not out.

For Academy, Derrett and Sintel were the pick of the bowlers with Derrett unfortunate to end up with only one wicket in an impressive spell of 12 overs for 23. Sintel ended up with 4 for 12 in just 6 overs and if he had been introduced earlier the result could have been very different.

FPs hope to have a number of senior players available next week for the tricky trip to Kemnay, but Govil and Sam Knudson have showed they are both more than able to stand in as needed and are sure to be pushing to keep their first team places.

The Crathie batsmen continued to play some attacking strokes but wickets were falling at regular intervals with no-one really looking likely to stay at the crease for long. Change bowlers Macdonald and Youles were happy to take 5 wickets between them with Youles taking a wicket with the first ball of his season. A run out and one wicket for the skipper accounted for the Crathie batting lineup for a total of 95.

After an excellent al fresco tea John Lord and Budd opened the batting for the home side. With only 10 runs on the board Grammar suffered a setback when Lord departed, playing back and becoe an lbw victim of the famous Rubislaw shooter. Clelland joined Budd at the crease and together they began to get on top of the bowling. Having seen off Thomas and Bestwick they plundered runs from the change bowlers and kept the scoreboard ticking over. With the total on 74 Clelland contrived to toe end a ball to mid-wicket which brought Moir to the middle. This did not affect the scoring rate as the required runs were quickly acquired. Moir scored the winning runs with a flourish by despatching a six into the pavilion enclosure.