FPs batting crumbled once again as they fell to a heavy defeat at Ellon. Only Moir could muster a score over 20 as they were bowled out for just 90 chasing Ellon’s 187 for 7. In an afternoon of few highlights, Roland Knudson and John Eagles both produced fine spells of spin bowling to capture 5 wickets between them.Having once again won the toss Knudson elected to field and welcomed back Eagles and promoted Fraser in place of the unavailable Miller and Stuart. Youngsters Lord and Sam Knudson opened the bowling and found a good early rhythm conceding just 32 in the opening 10 overs. Lord was extremely unlucky not to claim the scalp of White after a regulation edge was claimed by Clelland but the home umpire ruled not out and the batsman stayed at the crease.
This was to prove costly as White continued to ride his luck to be 2nd out for40 bowled by Roland Knudson, this was shortly after the wily Eagles had struck tempting Davies out of his crease to allow Clelland to stump him for 13. Aman was quickly removed by Eagles, Moir moving sharply to his left to claim the chance at square leg. However, danger man Barrett was looking in good touch striking 2 sixes off Eagles, but a bit of extra pace from Knudson beat his attempted sweep as he was bowled for a rapid 26 with the score on 82. It was soon 93 for 5 as Harry Woridge-Gordon was expertly taken by Clelland off Eagles’ bowling.
With FPs sensing a chance to dismiss Ellon for under 120, Charles Wolridge-Gordon and Scott White combined in a fine partnership of 45 both finding the boundary before Moir who had replaced Eagles struck, pinning Wolridge-Gordon LBW for 23. Watson joined Whyte and looked to move the score on quickly, but having reached a useful 32 Whyte was bowled by Malik attempting another big shot. Parks and Watson did some late damage scoring 28 off the last 3 overs as Ellon amassed 187 for 7.
For FPs Knudson claimed 2/21 from 10 and Eagles 3/48 from 9. Moir 8-0-40-1 and Malik 6-0-27-1 were the other wicket takers.
188 was always going to be a tough target which required a solid foundation, but having reached 20 for no wicket in 10 overs, FPs lost their 10 wickets in the next 25 overs thanks to some good bowling, excellent catching and some poor shot selection.
First to go was Knudson edging Scott White to slip where he was excellently caught for 7. Budd then contrived to hammer a a rare long hop from Harry Wolridge-Gordon straight at gully to fall for 18. Before Malik fell run out attempting an unlikely run before being sent back, the excellent Harry Wolridge-Gordon delivering a pinpoint throw to leave him short. Eagles and Moir combined briefly in an 18 run stand Moir lofting two big sixes before Eagles was easily caught at gully off Barrett’s bowling. Youles soon followed LBW to Harry Wolridge-Gordon for a duck. Not even Moir could not repel the Ellon attack as he was clean bowled by Arun as FPs slumped to 68 for 6.
Clelland soon followed sportingly walking for an inside edge to fall for two, before Morrison and young Sam Knudson delayed the inevitable with a few shots to reach 89 before Knudson edged to Watson off Greenfield for 11 and Morrison miscued Barrett to Harry Wolridge-Gordon to take a diving catch at cover. It was soon 90 all out as Greenfield claimed his 2nd wicket clean bowling Lord for a duck.
All in all, a fairly disappointing batting display by FPs but a good all round display by Ellon, Scott Whyte bowling particularly well despite only claiming one wicket. It means FPs are second from bottom with a vital match against bottom placed Queens Cross next weekend. Even so early in the season, it already looks like a game that both sides need to win, so it is sure to be a close encounter. FPs will hope their batting can improve as they face a double header with Inverurie in the cup on Sunday.
