High produced a stunning run out from the boundary and looked assured with the bat.
FP’s romped home to a historic victory against an experienced Ellon XI on Saturday afternoon bowling them out for 56 at Gordons Park. It was the visitors 1st win there in longer than anyone can remember and was achieved due to an excellent bowling and fielding display.
Arriving on time and winning the toss, Captain for the day Rob Swiergon elected to bowl giving Ellon the chance to bat on what looked to be a good pitch. FPs made 4 changes with Nattrass debuting, Thomson recalled McDonald into the middle order and Clelland replacing Morrison behind the stumps. FPs lined up Keith, Swiergon, Davey, High, Nattrass, Anand, Sam Knudson, McDonald, Clelland, Hameed, Thomson. With no sign of opening bowler Hameed the canny Thomson warmed up, taking the new ball with Knudson Jr.
FP’s took an early wicket with the Ellon opener C.White Edging to Swiergon at slip off Thomson. Knudson was swiftly taken off and replaced with Hameed who like his bowling partner had Ellon in pieces, Veldsman batted well for his 28 but was out LBW to Thomson soon after some lusty blows. It was at this point the wheels began to fall off for Ellon, probing lines coupled with positive fielding and catches for Keith ( Greenfield b Thomson ) and Knudson Jr ( Parks b Thomson ) along with a run out from the boundary from High ( M.White ) and a superb catch behind from Clelland ( ct T. Proctor ) ensured Ellon could never get their innings properly started, Thomson finishing his spell with 10-5-21-5 , Hameed used his skill to clean up the tail finishing with 9-4-14-4. Ellon all out for 56 GAME ON!!
After a quick turnaround Keith and Swiergon strode out to knock off the 56. But after the 5th ball Swiergon was already making the lonely walk back, bowled leg stump off the bowling of Scott White. Soon to follow was Davey bowled by Scott White. Some lusty blows from Keith and Anand ensured the bad balls were hit but when Keith was dismissed for 10 FP’s nerves were jangling, the pitch showing its true two pace nature causing false shots from the batsmen. After Nattrass, High and Anand departed things were looking dire but a returning Paul McDonald and Knudson Jr steadied the ship and once a bowling change was enforced on Ellon they sensed their opportunity and knocked the remaining 20 runs off from the new bowler with ease.
A good game and it keeps FP’s strong start to the season going. The game was played in a good spirit with the LBW law firmly and fairly in play
MOM goes to John Thomson for his bowling display to send a message to selectors after he was left out in the previous game! Next up for FPs is a very tricky fixture against Knightriders and then they face Brechin Buccaneers in the Small Clubs Cup.
