AGSFP’s 3rd XI had to travel to Sheddocksley for their Grade 3 home match against Kemnay-Kintore 2nd XI. FP’s once again had an embarrassment of riches and the team finally selected was Johnston, Sandeep, Siddarth, Aninda, P. Norwood, James Lord, Satya, Vishal, Sandeep.
This week’s/seasons debutants, finally free of exams, were schoolboys Jesten D’Costa and wicketkeeper Kingshuk Gosh, with late replacement John Lord completing the team line up.
The toss was again lost by FP’s who were asked by KK skipper McIntyre to bat. The wicket was green, the rest of the square very green and uncut, the outfield a colourful mix of daisies, dandelions and shin high couch grass. The weather was dull but thankfully there was no wind to speak of.
FP’s opening pair started confidently, both playing good attacking shots where possible, but in the 4th over Aninda failed to keep down a pull shot off McIntyre and was caught at midwicket for 7, FP’s 17 – 1.
Paul Norwood again played a sensible innings, selflessly shielding his batting partner from the bowling with several 5th/6th ball singles. This allowed the more aggressive Siddarth to play his normal attack minded game in the few balls he faced.
The score moved along at a good rate, the 2nd wicket raising 58 in 12 overs when a comfortable looking Siddarth was unexpectedly bowled by McIntyre for 38 (5 x 4). Four overs later new batsman James Lord was out caught off schoolboy Raja for 2, and next over Satya was given out caught behind off D. Farrow without scoring, FP’s suddenly 86 – 4 off 21 overs.
With FP’s wobbling, new batsman Johnston and Norwood played the next few overs carefully, but looking for singles where possible, especially late in the over.
The frisky Norwood was finally undone when attempting a tight second run to deep square leg and was run out for a hard fought 41 (2 x 4, 25 x 1) perhaps thinking his shot had reached the boundary and easing off, or perhaps, understandably, just plain knackered. FP’s 124 – 5 off 30 overs.
Kingshuk Gosh had looked impressive at Fraserburgh last week, but he did not last long and was out caught off McIntyre without scoring. John Lord had looked impressive at Fraserburgh last century, but he also did not last long, unfortunately playing on to G. Farrow without scoring, FP’s 151 – 7 off 35 overs.
Johnston had been run into the ground by Norwood and had discovered that scoring boundaries were easier on the legs. As a result, his next eight scoring shots were boundaries, thus continuing his “unusually aggressive” mode from the previous week, but still more Geoff Boycott than Joss Butler.
New batsman Vishal had decided to save himself for bowling and also went for his shots, including a massive 6 over the fence onto the road, narrowly missing a passing car. The 8th wicket partnership raised 54 runs in 8 overs allowing FP’s to look to declare at the end of the 44th over. Vishal was unfortunately out off the last ball of the over, attempting another big hit, caught off Farrow for 22 (1 x 6, 3 x 4) leaving Johnston 65 n.o. (12 x 4). FP’s declared on 205 – 8 off 44 overs.
FP’s batting performance was mixed, a good start, a mini collapse and a good finish with Siddarth and Norwood setting up a late flourish by Johnston and Vishal. FP’s batsmen had also given the local golfers, who use the Sheddocksley pitches as a driving range, a bad name by excavating several divets, fortunately none on a length.
The KK bowlers stuck to their task with McIntyre getting some impressive swing with his second spell and schoolboy Raja looking very impressive. Wicket takers for KK were McIntyre 12-2-43-3, Farrow 8-1-29-2, Raja 9-0-43-1, Fowlie 10-1-49-1.
The pitch performance was mixed, several balls shooting along the ground and several balls popping up off a length. Not a great pitch if required to face faster bowling. Like the Duthie Park, it seems the idea is to flog one pitch to death and then cut a new one.
Following tea on the lawn, FP’s opened the bowling with from the Pavillion end with Vishal, who struck with his second ball when Fowlie was caught by Aninda at short mid wicket, a good diving, juggling catch, KK 0-1. Siddarth also began in good style by bowling McIntyre with a good yorker, KK 7 – 2 off 3.3 overs.
Vishal looked like taking a wicket with every delivery, the KK batsmen playing and missing on numerous occasions, and it was no surprise when Vishal bowled the ‘Major’, aka D. Fyffe, for an aggressive looking 8 (1 x 4), KK18 – 3.
Next over Sid had Farrow comfortably caught at gully by D’Costa for a duck, KK19 – 4. There was then a bit of a stand until Vishal finally hit some wood again, a wicket not a bat as Krugel was bowled for 5 (1 x 4), KK 31 – 5.
A change of bowling helped the run rate as Sandeep bowled a couple of wides, but when he found his line, he then took 2 wickets in successive balls, having the limpet like D Turner out for 12 (2 x 4), caught by keeper Kingshuk, who took a sharp catch standing up. Next ball Sandeep was obliged to FP’s other schoolboy when D’Costa caught Moir off a lofted drive at mid off, KK 58 – 7. New batsman L. McIntyre survived the hat trick ball.
D’Costa replaced Vishal and found himself bowling to schoolmate Raja. The batsman had looked good earlier and hit D’Costa for a boundary with a text book straight drive. Obviously a well-coached batsman at the Grammar school. But D’Costa took revenge with a great delivery which was too good for Raja. The batsman must have been off the week the forward defensive stroke was being taught, but Raja ended 2nd top scorer with 10 (1 x 4), KK 62 – 8.
Sandeep took another wicket when Satya held a good catch at short square leg, McIntyre out without scoring, KK 69 – 9. The last wicket was taken by James Lord who had Hunter so plumb LBW he did not even appeal. Fortunately his team mates did. KK all out 76.
FP’s won the match by 129 runs, the inexperienced KK batsmen no match for the sharp FP’s bowling and fielding. It was good to see all the bowlers taking wickets, Sandeep 2 – 0 – 5 – 3, Vishal 8 – 2 – 20 – 3, Siddarth 7 – 1 – 20 – 2, Lord 2 – 0 – 7 – 1, D’Costa 4 – 1 – 15 – 1. It was also good to see the schoolboys contribute positively to the victory in their first match of the season, keeper Kingshuk taking a good catch and D’Costa taking two easier catches and making a spectacular effort at gully to catch a full blooded cut shot, as well as gaining bowling bragging rights at school.
With a third of the season already passed, this victory leaves FP’s 3rd XI in 6th position in Grade 3, one place above their more illustrious, playboy 2nd XI rivals. However, the 3rd XI have to face four of the top five teams in the coming weeks.
Champagne Moment – Vishal’s six out of the ground just shades the return throw from the roadside by the lady out pushing a pram
Man of the Match – Siddarth, an excellent 38 runs and good opening spell of 2 – 20