June 10, 2007: Frontiers beat RCC2 for first league win
RCC2: 49 ALL OUT. Frontiers: 50/2 in 10 overs.Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven began sedately (on the stereo), as we made our way to the freshly inaugurated beautiful Maidu park for the weekend game. It's my favorite (the song) and I love the way they up the tempo and the eventual high. We lost the toss (which in retrospect looks a good thing), and were asked to field first. Despite the excellent pitch, the wet, thick outfield stops the ball but lets the fielders skid.
Bogi and Bully began the proceedings with good, sharp rising deliveries that consistently beat the bat. The attacking field setting invited the batsmen to go over the top, which is the most viable option to score any kind of runs on this ground. The sedate mood of the game received a brisk jolt with CS pulling a stunner at first slip. Standing at gully position, I had a superb view of the catch. The batsman nicked another rising delivery from bogi and the ball flew high and right of CS. The right hand darted out and the catch completed. By the end of seven overs, Frontiers held the RCC2 on a tight leash.
Nothing that morning suggested it would be a special day for Golu. He looked like he would look on any regular day. Even his first over ended in a slow, fuzzy mood. And just like the song, Golu upped the tempo in his next over. The music of rattling timber culminated in a hatrick (Golu's second hatrick in as many seasons). The figures 5 wickets-6 runs are devastating on any given day. Sensing the end in sight, Shubh decided to postpone the drink? break and threw the ball to Bogi. Bogi joined the fun and mopped up the tail efficiently and went home happy with four wickets of his own.
And, as is the case with chasing down a paltry total, it was crucial not to self-destruct. Steady batting from Vijay, Anand and Pujara saw off the new ball threat (too much swing). After having a good look, the shots came out naturally and we ran down the target pretty comfortably. On a day, when nothing could wrong for the Frontiers, the captain even got his little wish granted. The winning run was scored by Shubh of a lofted on-drive.
It was an inspired team work of good fielding, excellent sledging ("Let the worm wiggle", for one). Special mention to Sumit, who joined us from New York (Pujara's childhood friend) and did some energetic fielding in the deep. Being the first victory for Frontiers this season and a crushing one at that too, there was a common opinion of continuing this further. At the risk of dragging the analogy too far, I hope we continue to up the tempo to an exhilarating crescendo.
The team: Shubh, Deepak, Anand, CS, Golu, Yogi, Vijay, Totti, Bogi, Prateek, Sumeet
May 11, 2007: Six year old kid at the nets
March 24, 2007: Frontiers kick off 2007 season with a thriller
Frontiers 173/9 (19.5) beat RCC 172/4 (20 overs)Sometimes you hear about matches like these and wonder if you can ever be privileged enough to watch such a match, let alone play in one. On the 24th of March 2007, the Frontiers did pretty much exactly that!
Frontiers took on RCC in the first game of the knockout Twenty20 tournament organised by SCA. The game was scheduled to be held at Tigers but was moved to Summerfield Park at West Sac after both the teams and the umpires felt the ground unplayable. RCC won the toss and elected to bat. Satya, the RCC opener almost played right through the end and hit 76 runs and RCC ended up with 172 on the board off their allotted 20 overs thanks to some sloppy catching by Frontiers. CS was the most economical bowler giving away just 25 runs from his 4 overs.Sandeep and AB opened the batting for Frontiers and got off to a flier. Sandeep played well but was unfortunate to be run out. He also got injured but has recovered well and is doing fine now. AB once again played well and made 38 runs before holing out in the deep. The last four overs needed 39 runs. Shubh held the innings together with a solid 37 and was ably supported by CS and Karthik. Finally the last 2 overs needed 16 runs. 4 runs were taken off the penultimate over, leaving 12 runs needed off the last over.
Satish then played a Bevan like innings and took the Frontiers through some creative running with Nirav. Frontiers achieved the mammoth target with 1 ball to spare.
The team: Sandeep, AB, Nihar, CS, Shubh, Kartik, Karthik, Golu, Satish, Nirav, Arvind. Thanks to Urvin from FCC for excellent umpiring.October 8, 2006: Frontiers beat FCC2 in a nailbiter!
A nail biting finish it was - an absolute treat to all the 22 involved ! FFCC finish their season of the league games with an immense morale booster, something sure to help them either in the playoffs (if they get in) or in the next season.FCC2 won the toss and put FFCC in to bat. FCC2 were spot on in their attack, claiming a wicket off the very 2nd ball of the innings. Though maintaining a healthy run rate ~5, FFCC lost wickets at a regular intervals and at one stage were 5 down within the first 6 overs ! A lone battle by the opener Aravind with elegant shots to the ropes and beyond saw FFCC at 71/6 at the break.
Things were just brightening up and a total in the range of 120-130 seemed very much on the cards. However, a brilliant comeback from FCC2, post break, saw FFCC crumble for a paltry 84 in 23 overs ! FCC2 needed 85 runs off 30 overs to win and put them in a strong contention for both the playoffs. FFCC had to defend the same to stay alive in the tournament.
FFCC started their bowling attack in an impeccable manner, with the opening bowlers Satish and Kutral each plucking wood a piece in their first spell. FCC2 was totally pushed on to the back foot within the 1st 6 overs of the game with the scorecard reading: 6 overs - 12 runs -2 wickets. The pressure was held and even tightened as Deepak and Kishan took over , the former amongst the wickets and the latter kept the other end quiet with paltry runs. FCC2 were 32 for 3 at the the break.
The match was tilting its balance at one stage where FCC2 required 28 runs off the last 11 overs with 5 wickets in hand. A second spell from Kutral/Deepak saw the fall of two more wickets with few runs on the board.
The requirement - 13 runs from 5 overs with 3 wickets in hand.
Nirav was brought into the attack, who held his nerves and bowled beautifully took 2 crucial wickets, one of them to a heart stopping catch from Kishan, who grappled the ball in his third attempt !
The requirement - 5 runs from 3 overs - 1 wicket remaining
The pressure was too much for the FCC2 to handle and the story was brought to an end by a stunning catch at silly mid off by Kutral off Nirav in the 27th over. Jubiliation is what followed. Total team spirit, involvement, passion, catches, brilliant field placing and shrewd bowling changes got FFCC home with a well deserved win - boosting the confidence but at the cost of the nails :)
(l-r) CS, Shubh, Nirav, Vinod, Deepak G, Kutral, Arvind, Vijay, Aravind, Satish, Deepak V, Kishan
October 1, 2006: Frontiers beat PCC in the 4th super 10 match !
FFCC took home the bread;on a wet,slippery west sacramento ground.
PCC won the toss and elected to bat. FFCC had a brilliant start with a wicket off the 1st over from Satish which sent the lumber flying. Though sprayed with extras,PCC were stifled for runs from good tight opening spell from the bowlers.
Kutral and Nirav took over the change of bowling who both maintained a disciplined line of attack, each finishing with a overall figure of 6 overs / 18 runs / 2 wickets. FFCC were at the drivers seat conceding just about 40 odd runs at the break.
PCC accelerated in their post break session, with a steady 35 from Nirmal, who got the ball past the ropes at will. Wickets however began to tumble and a chance for the bonus point began to emerge. FFCC fought valiantly till the penultimate ball of the innings to pick up the 9th wicket. However, the chance eluded when the ball slipped through golu's hand off the last ball for the 10wicket. PCC finished with a total of 127 off 30 overs for 9 wickets.
Special mention :
* Easily the BEST catch of the tournament by VINOD NATLA - posted at long off, took a stunning diving catch at mid off
* Nirav's marathon spell of 6 overs, executed to perfection with two brilliant wickets
FFCC,opening with CS and Kutral had a confident start. Runs piled with extras and decent strokes.CS perished, not before dismissing the ball over the mid wicket rope in a magnificent fashion followed by a FOUR off the very next ball.
After two quick wickets, it was all Satish and Kutral. It was a display of calm and matured batting and carried the bat till the 18th over when Kutral was brilliantly caught at deep cover.
The asking rate was nearing 5 runs an over with 49 runs required off the last 10 overs. Ashutosh joined Satish and the runs kept ticking through singles. The asking rate almost reached towards six an over when Satish took the matter to his hands.
With strong support from the other end, he dismissed the balls over the rope with his trademark power in couple of occasions and nullified the PCC bowling attack. The situation was now comfortable to 5 overs 15 runs and the game was taken home by Shubh and Golu.
Special mention :
* Satish?s brilliant knock of 37 from 54 balls studded with 2 sixers and 1 four.
* FFCC would like to make a special mention for Ashutosh / Kowkutla / Vinod / Nihar for playing for the team in a very short notice.
August 28, 2006: Frontiers march towards the GOLD !
Frontiers CC took on last year's BRONZE winners - Googly, in their first round of the Final round. Googly won the toss and put the Frontiers in. Shubh/Anand opened for Frontiers in a very unassuming way maintaining a very healthy runrate of around 5 for the first few overs. However, the match turned dramatically once Shubh decided to go ballistic - balls were disappearing into the boundaries at will. His brilliant innings was complemented well by the other frontiers who joined in, and target of a mammoth 110 was set for the opposition. Kudos to a brilliant batting display by Shubh.
Prateek started the bowling attack. His opening spell saw the fall of two wickets - classical wood flying all over - was a sight to cherish! Googly were maintaining a healthy runrate (6+) with their Captain Ashutosh leading from the front. Three quick wickets by Kutral, which saw the back of their Captain and their star batsman Nihar put a break on Googly's runrate. Disciplined and eventful spells with quick bowling changes by the skipper (Golu) led to wickets from Anand/Kishan/CS/Prem saw the end of Googly. Spl mention : CS took two wickets in the only over he bowled ! Kudos to him. Overall a stellar performance by the Frontiers, which enables them to motor into the Final match of the FSG cricket tournament. Now ALL that glitters is 'GOLD' for the frontiers !!......more images from the match
Batting videos (Right click, save as): Kutral || Shubh
August 21, 2006: Frontiers storm into the finals of Folsom Site Games
Folsom Frontiers beat Team India by 28 runs to reach the finals of the Folsom Site Games. Batting first, the Frontiers put up a score of 77 on the board riding on Kishan Prasad's 26 runs. Defending 77 runs against Team India's strong batting line up was never going to be an easy task. Kishan and Kutral (2 wkts) opening the bowling hardly gave anything away. Pradeep Golconda (3 wkts) and Prateek Pujara then further tightened the noose and Team India's batsmen were struggling to find runs out in the middle. Excellent bowling, ground fielding and catching by all the Frontiers led to Team India being bundled out for just 49 runs!
A special mention to Gopal for his excellent catching.."Catches win matches!" Good keeping by Shubh and CS and good contributions by Anand, Kowkutla, Geetacharan and Avi. Here's wishing these blokes good luck to clear the "Final" frontier! ...more images from the match
August 20, 2006: Frontiers kick off super 10 with a 10-pointer!
Frontiers beat DCC-1 by 89 runs in their first super 10 match. DCC-1 won the toss and put the Frontiers into bat. Prem made 11 runs opening the batting but more importantly took the shine off the new ball. He was followed by Kishan who pulled the ball to the boundary on 2 occasions. Aravind Balakumar then hit two straight sixes in the long on region. Sensible batting in the middle order by Anand (32 with 2 boundaries) and Karthik (a.k.a Totti) got the Frontiers close to a very good total. Golu whacked a boundary towards the end of the innings and Totti finished the innings with a brilliant six over long off to end up with 27. The frontiers finished their innings at 163 off 30 overs.
In the bowling department, Kishan and Kutral picked up 3 wickets a piece. Golu bowled a couple of maidens while Prem and Prateek took a wicket each to bundle out DCC1 for 74 runs, thereby getting both bonus points. Go Frontiers!
July 9, 2006: Frontiers beat UCC in style!
Frontiers win their first game against TCC! Results and stats updated.
April 24, 2006When - Friday 28th April'06
Where - Baseball Ground at Prairie Oaks.
Address -
Follow Iron point road toward Prairie city from Intel
Make a left on Grover Road
Follow Grover to the Russi road (you will see the baseball ground on the left hand side)
Make a left on to Russi and take another immediate left into the ground parking lot.
Time - 6 :00 PM (PST) Sharp.
We will be having a practice session this friday with details as follows.
Location - Folsom High School Baseball Ground.
Address - Opposite to Intel's main entrance on Prairie City Road.
Time - 5 :30 PM (PST) Sharp.
Also, we have the Captain and Vice Captain selected for the first 3 matches.
Captain - Kutral Ramesh
Vice Captain - Biswarup Chattaraj
We might have more practice sessions on saturday or sunday....so stay tuned!
The schedule for the matches this season is now available. Please click on the schedule link in the bar above. We are always open to new faces in our club. If you wanna be part of the frontiers, let us know!
We now have some brand new cricket gear thanks to Shubh. Among other stuff, the kit includes 4 bats: AS, CA plus 5000, CA gold 5000 and a GM beauty. The bats were given a fresh coat of linseed oil last night. After a couple days and a few hours of knocking, they should be good to go.
We will be having our first practice session shortly!FmF is born!