FPs collected another 30 points in a comfortable 6 wicket win against bogey team Artisans. John Eagles did the bulk of the damage claiming 5 for 26 in a fine bowling spell. Knudson once again won the toss and asked Artisans to bat. FPs made 3 changes from last week with Stuart, Phillips and Clelland replacing Whyte, James Lord and McDonald.
Dickie fresh from an unbeaten 96 in last week’s Artisan’s abandonment started positively looking to attack anything wide, but after edging one over the slips for four, Miller took a sharp return catch to leave Artisans on 7 for 1. Munro joined the wall like Chisholm and went on the attack from ball one, cover driving Miller for 4 and attacking anything in his half to race onto 14. However, with the score on 25, his miscued a full toss from Miller and Morrison dived forward at cover to claim a good catch.
Miller, despite claiming 2 for 19 in 4 overs, was clearly struggling with his shoulder and he had to give way to Stuart. After opening with a big wide, Stuart soon found his line and length, and kept Yadav quiet. After becoming frustrated at being unable to get off the mark, he then had a huge mow at Stuart and was bowled off stump for a duck.
Things got worse for Artisans as Charan took off for a quick single, only to be sent back and run out by a fine throw from Budd for a duck. Eagles joined the attack and struck almost immediately having Khan adjudged LBW for a duck, in his next over he then pinned Thomson plumb LBW for a duck as Artisans slumped to 52 for 6.
Robertson joined opener Chisholm and played some lusty shots as the score was lifted to 80 but tried one big shot too many to be bowled by Eagles for 18. Irvine took a similar approach to Robertson, hitting 3 fours in a brisk 17 before he was easily stumped by Clelland off Eagles. C Robertson next took up the attack but having hit Eagles for 6, he tried to repeat the feat and was bowled for 10.
Last man Joyce joined the oburate Chisholm and played some fine shots hitting Moir for 2 fours, however with the score on 130, he set off for a tight single to be sent back by Chisholm and he could not beat Eagles direct hit from mid wicket to be run out by 15.
Once again FPs had failed to remove Chisholm as he batted 45 overs for 25 not out, but they did well to take the other 10 wickets to leave Artisans with a sub par total. Eagles was the bowling hero with 12 overs 5 for 26 with 2 maidens but he was well supported by Miller 1-0-19-2, Moir 10-3-25-0, Stuart 12-2-35-1 and Knudson 6.2-0-8-0.
Lord and Budd set off at a good pace chasing the 131 target, with Lord looking in particularly good form, dominating an opening partnership of 44 with Budd, hitting 4 fours in a 47 ball stay for 24, before being bowled by Naidu. Clelland joined Budd and they played some good cricket turning 1s into 2s and grabbing quick singles in an entertaining stand of 49 before Thomson had Budd LBW for 29.
Moir joined Clelland and looked to attack driving elegantly for 4 twice as the score moved to 105. However, Clelland was adjudged LBW for 10 off Irvine despite some indication he had hit the ball into his pads. When Moir fell moments later for 10, caught by Yadav off Irvine, FPs were wobbling at 111 for 4. However, some no nonsense hitting by Miller ensured victory was quickly attained with Frizzell offering support at the other end.
FPs cause was greatly helped as once again extras top scored, amazingly this time with 49 including 25 byes.
It was another solid performance, and FPs will be looking to extend their winning run when 2nd Kintore visit next week.
