FPs fell to a 6 wicket defeat at Fraserburgh as they recorded their 3rd defeat from 3 games. It was a game that FPs should have been capable of winning, but the ongoing batting failures meant that FPs could only muster 108, leaving their bowlers far too much to do.
With 26 players unavailable, it was quite an effort to raise 3 teams, but it was achieved and did mean much change to the 1st XI with only 1 bowler available from the previous week. In came Roland Knudson, John Eagles, Chris Clelland and Harry Mapplebeck. Unavailable captain Morrison also pressed himself into action to boost numbers as FPs lined up Morrison, Keith, Swiergon, Senthil, Davey, McDonald, Clelland, Mapplebeck, Eagles, Knudson and Hameed. Morrison lost the toss and FPs were asked to bat on an uneven and green looking wicket.
There was little alarm initially as FPs made good progress and had reached 28 when Morrison played a loose defensive shot and was caught and bowled Lawrence for 8. Swiergon joined Keith and they made good progress to 56 when the dangerous Keith drove straight to mid off to depart for 35 from 43 balls (7 x 4), handing Gospel his first of 4 wickets. It sparked a disastrous collapse for FPs to 61 for 5 and 66 for 6 as Senthil was run out 3rd ball, Swiergon sending him back. Davey also fell for a duck bowled by Gospel, McDonald chipped to Lawrence at mid off for 1 and Swiergon miscued a very wide ball from Gospel to Bowie at cover.
It brought Mapplebeck and Clelland together and they at least stemmed the tide, but Mapplebeck had made just 8 when he aimed a big hit at Gospel and was bowled. Clelland fell for 13 soon after caught in the gully by Watson off Duthie. Eagles was then bowled by Lawrence for 8 and Knudson was LBW to O’Neill for 4 as FPs were all out for a well under par 108.
Needing wickets, Mapplebeck and Hameed started with purpose but were unable to breakthrough. Hameed starting with 5 straight maidens as runs were minimized. The wily Eagles introduction nearly brought dividends as he confidently appealed for an LBW against Bowie with the umpire eventually deciding it might have bounced over the middle stump. The 12th over did lead to a wicket as Watson attempted an unlikely 2nd to Mapplebeck and a pinpoint throw found him short of his ground.
Keith struck in his 1st over as O’Neil miscued to Morrison at cover who claimed a simple chance. It brought Lawrence and Bowie together and FPs knew that this would be the key partnership. Despite rotating the attack, they could not get a wicket and the game was nearly up when the returning Hameed got through Lawrence’s defenses to bowl him for a well made 32. He also removed Bowie late on well caught by Swiergon at 2nd slip for 40 but by now the game was up.
Hameed ended with the very impressive 11-6-14-2, with Mapplebeck returning 9 overs for 32, Eagles 6-1-16-0, Keith 7-1-32-1 and Knudson 2-0-12-0. Again FPs bowled and fielded well but the batsmen failed to make enough runs despite having a strong batting line up on paper. Next up for FPs in Banchory away where they will be desperate to improve on their poor start.
