Aberdeen Grammar FPs vs Methlick 22nd May 2021
Grades cricket finally returned to Aberdeenshire after a long year’s break and as usual the early season weather threatened the start of proceedings with Laird’s being unplayable for the 2nd team. However the first team visit to Rubislaw was one of the few games played this weekend. The heavy outfield meant that this wasn’t going to be a high scoring affair and with the wind blowing and the expectation that it would dry the ground Methlick put the FPs in to bat.
With the absence of four first team bowlers the pressure was going to be on the openers and Daniel Reeve opened with an accurate first over. The hirsute Jamie Jones in partnership dismissed Johnston with his very first ball and the first four overs only gave two runs from the bat.
In his third over Reeve bowled the other opener Penman followed up by Jones bowling Garratt for 2 to leave Grammar toiling at 3 for 6.
Jones was replaced by Grant Cordiner and Reeve was replaced by Reeve senior, John, promoted up the order after bowling well in the nets. The change paid off as he took the wicket of Sood given LBW after a previous near call and Cordiner got in the action with Murray’s wicket. Grammar were now facing a very low score as they were now 5 for 36.
Monnapillai came to their rescue playing some very stylish and increasingly aggressive shots as he proceeded. He was supported by Norwood who, whilst struggling to score freely, managed to hold on to his wicket. The pair continued and moved on the score with a fine 50 partnership into the eighties.
Bryan Carr replaced Reeve Snr to bowl some swing and managed to remove Norwood with a fine, running catch taken in the deep by Fraser Grant, but skipper Woodhouse needed to remove the threatening Monnapillai as the score was growing and looked to his openers to come back early.
The decision paid off as Dan Reeve clean bowled the batsman for 43 in his first over returning. The score had moved on to 112 but the tail was now exposed. Unfortunately Jones had to leave the field with a pulled muscle and could obviously play no more part. Woodhouse and Reeve then cleaned up the tail quickly and Grammar were bowled out in the penultimate over for 128, with a fine 4 wicket haul for 19 from Reeve.
With the heavy outfield and long grass the score was probably worth 40 runs more and Methlick were up against it with Jones, part of MCC’s batting firepower, unable to take part.
A switch about with the batting order saw MCC open with Alasdair Smith and Dave Chalmers but some good opening bowling from Monnapillai and Sood saw them both dismissed cheaply. Sarafemoski came in at three and took the attack to the bowlers in his own inimitable way, hitting only the 5th boundary of the day until he was caught for 8.
Debutant Mark Witt came to the middle and really helped to steady the ship with skipper Woodhouse, the latter taking the attack to the bowlers. Woodhouse went for 18 missing a half-tracker from Penman and Methlick were in trouble with 4 down for 37, which was actually 5 wickets with the absence of Jones. However, with Witt playing a circumspect role it freed Dan Reeve to play some more adventurous shots and the two pushed to score along until Reeve was bowled for 25 with the total on 73; still 56 runs short.
Carr was bowled for 3 and Witt finally walked controversially for a catch leaving only Cordiner, John Reeve and youngster Grant to go. On Methlick’s side was the knowledge that there were plenty of overs left and the Grammar openers only had a couple of overs left each and Cordiner and Reeve played this to their advantage, knowing that there was no depth in the bowling attack. Both openers were seen off and some excellent running from Reeve and Cordiner kept up with the scoring rate needed.
The hundred came up and only 26 was needed from the last 7 overs. Last man, Grant was getting nervous. Cordiner was dealing in twos and the total edged tantalizingly closer. 8 needed from 2 overs and Grammar were desperate for a wicket but just didn’t have the bowling. The 4 needed from the last over was finished with a couple of singles and a final 2 from Cordiner to reach to winning score with 3 balls to go.
An excellent win in a thoroughly entertaining game and commiserations to Grammar who played a big part in making this a great game to start the season. Next week Methlick host Mannofield and hope that Lairds will have time to dry, and the 2nd team visit Stonehaven.
By Mark Woodhouse