Fraserburgh v Queens Cross, Aberdeenshire Grades



The home side won the toss and put the visitors into bat.

Queens Cross batsmen, Jamieson and Findlay made their way out to face opening bowlers Amin and Souter. Watson took over the wicket keeping duties from L Bowie, and was soon involved as the pace of Amin beat the bat several times.

Souter was bowling well, finding good line and length with the occasional slower ball thrown in.

However, after four overs Souter was forced to withdraw from the bowling attack through injury.

Rennie was brought on but it was Amin who made the breakthrough bowling Findlay (10). Ward came out to partner Jamieson (16) who soon followed when he mistimed a shot off the bowling of Rennie, which was held by Lawrance fielding at point.

Next batsmen in was McLarnon and he went on to form a good partnership with Ward to frustrate the home side. A couple of edges beat Souter at slip, his movement affected by injury and it was no surprise when he left the field to be replaced by 12th man Parkin.

Lawrance was then brought on, but Ward and McLarnon continued to score runs with some excellent running between the wickets. Ward would finish on 46 that included only three boundaries.

He surrendered his wicket when he was run out by C Bowie.

Shepherd was the next man in, the Broch were unable to contain the visitors despite the introduction of all-rounders C Bowie and Oldam.
Amin was brought on this time from the Toolies end and bowled McLarnon, both sides acknowledged his fine innings of 83 as he left the field.

With the score approaching 200, Shepherd made his intent clear and went after the bowling, with wickets in hand he could afford to be aggressive. His batting partner Russell (4) was clean bowled by Rennie but this was little consolation as Shepherd scored his 50.

The visitors after 45 overs finished on 248-5, Shepherd not out 53 and RG Taylor not out 2.

After the tea break, C Bowie and S Amin went out to bat as the Broch attempted to chase the required 249 runs for victory.

Their attempt did not get off to a good start when Amin was caught by Findlay off the bowling of Shepherd for no score. Oldam was the next man in and he and Bowie were beginning to forge a good partnership.
Disaster struck when Oldam (15) was undone by a full toss which hit the stumps.

Watson joined C Bowie in the middle but it was Queens Cross bowler RJ Taylor who forced an attempted drive from C Bowie (31) who edged the ball to Shepherd at first slip.

L Bowie played himself in but his time in the middle was shortived, after scoring a few boundaries he was bowled by Wright scoring 13.

The home side now realised they would have to try and play out a draw. Ironside was next in, both he and Watson offered some resistance but a change of bowler tempted Ironside (22) to attack a shorter pitched delivery which he attempted to pull.

The catch was taken at the second attempt by RJ Taylor. Flowerdew played an almost identical shot and was back in the pavilion.
Things got worse when Watson (27) was bowled by McLarnon the following over and Murray was trapped LBW playing off the back-foot.

Queens Cross were now in amongst the tail and it was down to Rennie and Lawrance to bat out the remaining 8 overs.

The home side batted the 45 overs without further loss and closed on 139-8 to force the draw. Queens Cross secured 22 points and Fraserburgh 15 points.

The Broch are still not clear from relegation, they will be looking to win their next two matches against sides in the bottom half of the table.

Fraserburgh are at home as Crathie make the long journey to the FCG this Saturday, 2nd August, all support welcome.