Karan Anand hit a brutal century from just 39 balls as FPs racked up an incredible 360 for 7 in a one sided contest against a much depleted Gordonians. He hit 12 sixes and 3 fours as FPs won by 
305 runs. Geoff Morrison and Alex Keith also hit measured 50s before Bharath Manonga (3-23), Rory High (2-7), John Thomson (2-8) and Martin Worsley (2-17) ran through a dispirited Gordonians line-up for just 55 in 19 overs. It was a fine display less than a week after their cup triumph.
With in excess of 40 players unavailable, FPs made numerous changes including a top team debut fro Bhrath Manogna and lined up Keith, Morrison (c), High, Senthil, Anand, Waldron, McDonald, Manonga, Clelland (w), Worsley, High. Morrison won the toss and chose to bat on a sunny day at Countesswells.
Keith and Morrison started cautiously, with the skipper only scoring 1 run in the opening 9 overs as his recent scratchy form continued. Keith was more fluent, hitting 2 sixes as FP moved to 50. Morrison then joined in the fun, hitting 3 fours in a row as momentum picked up. He and Keith were severe on anything short and were in full control as Keith raised his 50 as the stand mounted. They had reached 117 in the 2st over without offering a chance, when pick of the bowlers Doley was awarded an LBW by the FPs umpire, a sharply spinning leg break, hitting Keith in line and judged to be likely to hit the off stump. FPs senior batsman gone for 56 (4×4, 3×6).
Morrison was joined by High who fell quickly caught by Porter at slip off Doley for 3. Senthil joined Morrison and they were untroubled in adding 42 to lift the score to 170, Morrison passing 50 in the process. It was something of a surprise when Morrison fell caught and bowled Kushyab for 69 (11×4) in the 28th over. The great joy at his departure was perhaps rather misplaced when new man Anand blasted his 1st two deliveries both for 6. This was the sign of things to come in a stand of 108 in 10 overs, Senthil barely facing a ball in the stand as Anand went berserk.
He took just 17 balls for his 50, the majority going miles over the rope and one damaging a nearby vehicle. Nothing was safe as another was launched into a garden as he smashed 6s all around the wicket. Senthil had been playing nicely but fell to the returning Dolman for 32 (1×4, 2×6) just before Anand raised his inevitable 3 figures. He did this from his 39th ball, fittingly with a six, his 12th in all, before falling 2 balls later, caught at long off off Fitch. To put the innings in perspective, he batted for 13 overs, in just 50 minutes and while at the crease scored 100 out of 125 runs – it was an amazing innings to behold. It meant FPs were now 295 for 5 with 5 overs to go.
Any hope that Gordonians had that FPs would take their foot off the gas were quickly dashed as another 65 runs were added with just as much violence. Waldron smacked 20 not out (2×4, 1×6) from 12 balls, Manonga clubbed two 6s and a 4 in his 12 ball 20, McDonald also hit out with 17 (3×4) in 11 balls and Clelland came in at the end to finish on 1 not out.
For Gordonians, the bowling figures were not pretty, only Doley 10-0-43-2 and Mudkavi 3-0-26-2 escaping without a battering. The other were Dolman 10-0-76-1, Dalgarno 7-0-41-0, Porter 6-0-65-0, Kashyab 5-0-59-1 and Fitch 4-0-43-1.
Essentially at the break the game was all over, but FPS were keen to get the 2nd innings wrapped up promptly and set aggressive fields with 4 slips and 2 gullys. It seemed the ideal setup wit no runs being scored in front of the wicket. Manonga was given a chance to show what he could do and he promptly knocked over the top order claiming 3 for 8 in his opening 3 overs. Kashyap was superbly caught and bowled for a duck and Smith was plumb LBW also without scoring.
The 3rd wicket summed up the day FPs were having when Worsley somehow stuck out a hand at 2nd slip to claim a stunning catch as Doley fell for 7 and Gordonians slumped to 18 for 3. Worsley had been struggling to find a consistent line, but a sharp bouncer got him focused, Godson fending to be caught at short fine leg by Thomson. Worsley was soon on a hat trick as his 1st ball of the next over had Keith grabbing a rocket at 1st slip, Dalgarno out for 7.
Thomson was introduced and the wickets continued as his 1st over was a double wicket maiden as he clean bowled Porter (4) and Mudkavi (0). It was all but over and High replaced the tiring Worsley (2-17) and promptly bowled Fitch for 6. The game ended when High claimed his 2nd wicket, Morrison taking a catch at silly point to remove O’Donovan for a duck.
It was a comprehensive display from FPs with all catches held and the bowlers returning strong figures. Overall it was something of a mismatch, with the majority of the Gordonians team comprised of Grade 3 players. All credit to the Gordonians team, they played in a very fair and pleasant manner, despite the one sided contest and there is no doubt that in a few years some of their young players will be good players.
Next up for FPs is a very tough game against Cults at the Duthie Park, where FPs will be looking to consolidate their league position.
MOTM
It can only be Karan Anand for what must go down as the most brutal innings played by an FPs batsmen.
