FPS today played out a dull draw with an Artisan’s side battling to stay in Grade 2 The away side will be the happier of the sides with their relegation rivals losing heavily. Once again, Hamish Chisholm was the thorn in FPs side batting 50 overs for 43 not out. This was certainly not a good advert for cricket, but credit must be given to Chisholm who played correctly throughout, showing little aggression as Artisans settled for a draw at an early stage.
FPs once again lost the toss and were invited to bat and with Budd missing it was Lord and Knudson who opened. They set about a weak attack and quickly built a 74 run partnership with little alarm before Vyas bowled Skipper Knudson for an aggressive 28 which contained 2 sixes. The new batsmen joined Lord who was already past 50, but their partnership was quickly broken as Lord was Caught off the bowling of Chisholm for 55.
Eagles and Youles both launched some lusty blows, with Dickie taking some serious punishment. However, Artisans struck back with first Eagles caught at point off Chisholm and then Youles caught at mid wicket as FPS fell back to 158 for 4 in the 26th over.
McDonald and Clelland continued the aggressive approach with McDonald hitting 3 fours in a brisk 21 before Morrison was dismissed for 8 3rd ball, hitting Joyce through midwicket twice for four and then being caught on the boundary off a full toss.
Craig Fraser hammered a quickfire 24 not out and was ably assisted by Gary Stuart 8 not out as FPs declared in 40 overs on 248 for 8.
Looking for Early wickets Stuart and James Lord opened the bowling and Stuart struck in his fourth over bowling Ritchie. Eagles introduction then brought almost instant results as Stuart held a stunning catch at square leg to dismiss Munro. Eagles had his 2nd wicket 10 balls later bowling Thomson and when Frizell caught M Munro, FPs looked in command with Artisans struggling on 47 for 4. Eagles continued to chip away and Fraser held Ashish at mid on as Eagles claimed his fourth and FPs 5th wicket.
With Youles claiming the wickets of Joyce and Ram with 15 overs still remaining it looked certain FPs would close out victory, however as has so often been the case this season they could not clean up the tail as Chisholm and Vikranth combined until the 48th over until Stuart eventually had Vikranth caught. John Dickie held firm for the remaining 14 balls as Artisans closed on 130 for 8 in 50 overs, Chisholm carrying his bat for 43 not out.
Eagles was the top bowler with 4 for 11 from 8 overs.
