Dropped catches send FPs crashing out of the cup

FPs were knocked out of the cup in a 14 run defeat as a series of dropped catches cost them dear versus Fraserburgh.  Having had Fraserburgh 36 for 4 they contrived to drop Amin 5 times as he made 50 and Fraserburgh were allowed to score 50 more than they should have.  The cessation of 23 wides did little to help and after a ponderous start to their reply FPs were always on the back foot.  The two positives to take from the game were the performances of youngsters Mike Blues who claimed 4 for 25 and Sam Knudson who blasted a late 40.

FPs named a youthful eleven with 6 changes from the team that drew at Methlick a day earlier.  Budd, Johnston, Blythe, Muthu and youngsters Russell andBlues joining Roland Knudson, Sam Knudson, Morrison, Stuart and John Lord.  Knudson lost the toss again and Fraserburgh chose to bat.

They were soon in trouble as Stuart landed a double strike within the opening 6 overs having Souter easily caught by Budd at cover and then clean bowling danger man Bowie for 4.  It was soon 16 for 3 as Sam Knudson produced a fine delivery to bowl Watson for 12.  FPs continued to dominate andafter 13 overs it was 39 for 3 as Roland Knudson claimed a fine caught and bowled withjust his second delivery.

Clark and Aminthen combined for a stand of 36, mainly in boundaries as FPs began to miss chances.  Stuart was unlucky with a tough caught and bowled before Sam Knudson spilled one on the boundary off Roland Knudson. 

Russell had replaced Stuart andafter some extremely wayward stuff, he found fortune to be on his side as Clark played on via his body aiming a big blow over square leg.  Despite this piece of fortune FPs could still not remove Amin as Johnston spilled a regulation chance at square leg and then Russell dropped a comfortable chance at long on.

Blues at least did boost FPs chances as he bowled Lawrence for 5, bowled Murray for a duck andhad Barnett caught behind.  Eventually he also removed Amin as Sam Knudson claiming an easy chance at cover, although by this time Amin had made 56. 

At 116 for 9, FPs still looked to be in a good position but conspired to allow a last wicket stand of 23 through a series of wides and well placed edges.  Eventually Sam Knudson returned to have Bowie LBW for 8.  Leaving Fraserburgh 139 all out.

Lord and Budd started to the reply needing just 3.5 per over but after 10 overs FPs had only reached 18 for 1.  Lord the man out caught off Clark for 1.  New man Blythe tried to add some impetus but he fell caught for 6 also off the bowling of Clark.  Skipper Knudson only lasted 1 ball miscuing to cover as the score slumped to 38 for 3 after 13.  Moments later key man Budd fell for 21 unlucky to flick a good shot straight at Amin as the score regressed to 41 for 4.

This brought youngsters Sam Knudson and Doug Russell together and despite batting solidly FPs started to fall behindtherate as they struggled for boundaries.  After a stand of 27 Russell was bowled by Souter for 9 from 45.  Morrison replaced Russell with 75 needed from 13 overs and they added 37 as Knudson with a new bat having smashed his first one, set about Parkinlaunching him for 2 sixes, 1 out of the ground, as Parkin’s two overs went for 28.

This meant FPs needed 35 from 7, but when Knudson and Morrison fell in quick succession things looked bleak.  Muthu hammered a four and ran intelligently with Johnston as FPs hung in, but when Muthu was caught at the wicket off the returning Amin it left FPs just 2 wickets needing 14 from 2.  However, knowing Parkin had to return to bowl the 40th over there still seemed a chance, however this was snuffed out as Stuart played onto Lawrence for 1, before last man Blues fell caught and bowled by the same man 2nd ball.

FPs will undoubtedly rue the missed chances but 140 was certainly attainable but no one was able to support Sam Knudson’s contribution as only 3 players made double figures.  FPs shouldbe close to full strength next week as they welcome 2nd Cults in what is likely to be a hard fought contest.