FPs confirmed a 2nd place finish with a comfortable 7 wicket win at home to Crescent. It is their highest finish in many a year and the latest win was seldom in doubt. With the exception of the supreme talents of opener Ahmed who made a fine 57, Crescent never really threatened and were bowled out for just 104, Worsley and Mapplebeck both taking 3 for 35. The chase was then comfortable with Keith blasting a six to finish things to reach 51 not and he was well supported by High who made 20 not out.
D’Costa and Clelland were replaced with Anand and Waldron, with Morrison taking the gloves. FPs lost the toss and Crescent chose to bat as FPs lined up Morrison, Keith, Swiergon, Senthil, High, Anand, Waldron, Davey, Mapplebeck, Worsley and Thomson. It took till the 9th over to break through when Mapplebeck bowled Sharma all ends up for 1. Tamseen joined his captain Ahmed and made just 6 before being bowled by Worsley, Razak suffered a similar fate 2 balls later to go for a duck and it was 3 for Worsley next over when Nawaz also recorded a duck, gloving to Morrison.
Crescent were effectively a one man show as at drinks, 81 for 4 with Ahmed on 57 and his 5 partners having contributed 8. Ahmed was looking in ominous form so FPs were delighted that John Thomson struck 1st ball after drinks to remove him. Crescent reduced to 85 for 5. With the key man gone it was a procession as the last 5 wickets crumbled in double quick time. Suri was bowled by Anand for 1, Palanisany was plumb LBW for another duck, Fazal was bowled for a duck, Toor hooked a Mapplebeck bouncer straight to Thomson for 13 and Gibson was beaten for pace by Mapplebeck for the 5th duck, Crescent all out for 104.
Bowling figures were Mapplebeck 10-0-35-3, Worsley 10-1-35-3, Anand 8-1-21-2 and Thomson 7-0-12-2.
104 was never going to be enough and FPs set off in pursuit at pace, posting 36 in the 1st 5 overs before Morrison fell for 16 (3×4), walking for a thin edge to the keeper off Gibson. Crescent had feint hope when the short wearing Gibson quickly removed Swiergon LBW for 0 and bowled Senthil for 3 – FPs reduced to 40 for 3.
However Keith ensured there was to be no disasters as he struck a composed half century from 70 balls, hitting 3 fours and 2 sixes. He was well supported by High who looked solid in making 20 not out. The game was completed with 22 overs to spare and the only question for much of the closing stages was if Keith could get to his fifty. With FPs needing 4 to win and Keith needing 5 for 50, Gibson obliged with a high leg side full toss which Keith carted high over square leg for 6.
It was overall a comfortable win for FPs after Ahmed had been removed and ensured a good 2nd place finish. Next week FPs face champions Bon Accord in their final league game.
MOTM
Alex Keith just edges the bowlers for his fine batting display.
