FPs picked up their 2nd win in two weeks in sensational style as they defeated Mannofield by 47 runs. All had seem lost for FPs as the batting crumbled once again to 80 for 7 but a magnificent innings from Jerry Moir (86 not out) including 10 sixes and a brave 13 not out from 17 year old James Lord lifted FPs to 161 for 7. In reply Mannofield seemed to be crusing to victory at 101 for 3 but inspired spells from John Eagles (4 for 20) and Gary Stuart (2 for 7) secured the most incredible victory as Mannofield fell to 114 all out. The win was all the more remarkable given FPs played almost the whole game with only 10 men due a family emergency for Sam Knudson.
FPs made 1 change with Fraser replacing MacDonald andwere forced to start without Sam Knudson. Roland Knudson lost the toss and was asked to bat. Javed was on the mark from the start and soon had Knudson out for a duck, cutting straight to gully. Clelland replaced him and he and Budd set about trying to build the innings. Having seemingly done the hard work, Budd could scarcely believe what he had done when he hit a rank long hop straight to mid off to be out to Patesh for 11 – FPs 30 for 2.
Last week’s batting hero Moir joined Clelland and soon raced to 20 hitting 3 big straight sixes as FPs moved to 67. However, Clelland having swept nicely for two 2s, could not keep his next attempt down and was excellently caught on the boundary to fall for 21. Eagles soon fell for 2 to offspinner Rana and after another 6 from Moir the score had reached 80 for 4 when things went badly wrong for FPs. First Morrison was bowled for 2 playing for spin which was not there to leg spinner Byrne, Frizzell then hammered a full toss unluckily straight at cover and Fraser fell first ball caught behind also off Byrne as FPs slumped to 80 for 7.
It appeared to be curtains for FPs but young James Lord and Moir had other ideas. Moir continued to hit straight and passed 50 in fine style as Lord battled manfully to stay with him. Moir continued to pick of Byrne and Rana either pushing 1s or blasting sixes. This brought the return of the openersJaved and Burnett and Moir dealt with Burnett with particular disdain launching him for 4 sixes down the ground as Burnetts 1 for 13 in 7 overs became 1 for 41 in 9 overs. Lord joined in the fun hooking Javed for 4 as FPs somehow amassed 161 for 7 in 46 overs thanks to an unbeaten 81 run stand. Moir apart from being caught from a no ball was faultless hitting 10 sixes and 1 four is a supreme 86 not out while the brave Lord made 13 not out in a fine supporting role.
It was clear that Mannofield were shell shocked but would have still fancied that they would chase the required 162 for victory. Dickinson pulled the first ball of the innings for 4 but soon sent packing LBW for 4 by Lord. He ought to have had Burnett in his next over but put down a regulation caught and bowled which looked like it may be costly. Mannofield were not hanging about and had reached 31 in the 6th over when Clelland standing up to Moir claimed a brilliant catch off Jadhav’s inside edge for 8.
This brought Rana to the middle and he set about off spinner Roland Knudson hitting him for 2 sixes and a four. Burnett was also attacking and struck Moir for a four and a six as they moved Mannofield to 78 for 2 in 16 overs. However, just when Mannofield looked well set to really dominate, Rana miscued a pull off Knudson and was excellently caught to Stuart on the boundary who made good ground to claim a running catch. Lawson joined Burnett who was playing well and Burnett played new bowler Eagles with great care defending carefully as Eagles fisrt 4 overs conceeded just 8.
Stuart joined Eagles in the attack and this combination was soon to send Mannofield spiralling to defeat as they crumbled from 101 for 3 to 114 all out in just 10 overs. First Lawson was stumped departing from his careful approach to blindly charge Eagles easily stumped by Clelland for 7. Skipper Johnstone joined Burnett but was soon out to a dreadful cross batted swat at Eagles, Joe Scott having no doubt in raising the finger. Niven was almost runout by a direct hit by Frizzell but scrambled home as Mannofield started to panic.
Sam Knudson made a belated appearance to help in the field as the FPs team spirit continued to shine through. However, with Burnett still there Mannofield were still well placed but he was to commit cricket suicide with the score on 111, calling his partner for a ridiculous single to John Eagles at short fine leg and being well beaten by the throw, Clelland whipping off the bails as the livid Burnett departed for a well played 52, hurling his bat away in disgust. Niven unsettled by the run out was promptly bowled by Eagles for 2 before Stuart got in on the act claiming Gamblin LBW offering no stroke for a duck, before striking again in the over clean bowling Byrne for a duck – Mannofield 113 for 9.
It was fitting that Eagles should claim the final wicket Bird hitting it high out to deep mid-wicket where Budd charged in and dived full length to claim a stunning catch, before being swamped by his jubilant team mates.
It was a sensational comeback from FPs setup by some unbelievable batting from Moir and some dogged resistance from James Lord. The bowling and fielding was then excellent with Eagles 4 for 20 and Stuart with 2 for 7 well supported by Lord 1 for 25, Moir 1 for 31 and Knudson 1 for 30. It was a win that will live long in the memory and could prove vital at the end of the season – by never giving up FPs pulled off a victory few would have believed when they were down and out at 80 for 7.
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