The Grades team returned to Duthie Park for their home game against Fraserburgh CC. First inspection showed a pitch that had dried out considerably since our previous game – much more effort needed to get the stumps in this week. The captain was unsuccessful with his toss for the third week in a row and once again, we were asked to bat first (the captain had considered batting first had we won, given our bowling strength).
Tariq and Eddie opened and both found the boundary regularly against the Fraserburgh attack. Eddie enjoyed a large slice of luck when one looped off the shoulder of his bat to slip who was blinded by the sun and put down a chance that appeared more difficult not to take. Tariq fell for 46 but he and Eddie had put on 85 for the first wicket. Farhad joined Eddie and both batsmen played a number of fine shots, assisted by some indifferent catching which, to be fair, may not have been helped by a strong wind. Eddie passed 50 and by the time Farhad was well caught at slip for 34, the score had moved on to 160 after 32 overs. Alan then played a supporting role in the third partnership over 50 of the innings while Eddie reached his century. Alan was run out for 10, finally getting an average after 3 years of games (143.00) and Rory and Eddie continued with 49 in 6 overs. Jack had time to hit a 4 before Eddie was run out off the last ball of the innings for a wonderful 144. It may not have been chanceless but it was a marvellous effort against one of the stronger bowling attacks in the Grade. We finished on 276-5 – comfortably the highest total I can recall reaching.
After tea, and with Edward away, the captain chose to open with his younger brother, who struck in his first over by getting Cory Bowie to play on – a very important breakthrough. He took a wicket next over too, with Ian taking a catch at slip that Michael would have been proud of – full length and one handed to his left. After 10 overs, the captain decided to give youth a chance handing the ball to George Robertson and Jack Lambley. Jack took the next 3 wickets to fall in a great spell, enticing Mark Ironside to chip on to Rory at mid-wicket, Paul O’Neill to nick one to Tariq (another vital wicket) and then the Fraserburgh captain in his final over. Farhad was bowling well into the wind and took 3 wickets also in his 10 overs. Rory and the captain bowled their spells out, the captain managing to induce Pradeep to get his leg in the way of a straightish one, before Noor took the final wicket courtesy of another fantastic diving catch by Eddie. Fraserburgh all out for 174 to lose by 102 runs.
A great team effort – every one of the 10 contributed in some way – and again very encouraging to see younger players performing and growing in confidence.
Fraserburgh MoM: F Lawrence for his 2-33 and 40 runs.
SDCC MoM: Eddie for his 144 and excellent catches. However, a special mention should go to Jack for his 3 wickets,
Highlight of the Match: Two highlights this week– Eddie getting to 100 and getting Cory Bowie out in the first over which would have been a different game had Cory batted for 20 overs.
SDCC: 276-5
Eddie 144
Tariq 46
Farhad 34
F Lawrance 2-33)
Fraserburgh CC: 174
L Bowie 52*
F Lawrance 40
Jack 3-34
Farhad 3-35)
Grades win by 102 runs.