An 8th wicket stand of 49 gave Kintore a vital victory against FPsin an exciting encounter won with only 7 balls to spare. John Lord top scored with 38 in FPs total of 142 for 9 in 46 overs and John Eagles claimed 4 for 28 but FPs could not get the last wickets quickly enough as Kintore squeezed home.
FPs lost the toss andwere asked to bat, making 3 changes with Budd returning from injury, Aly MacDonald returning and Zahid Khan making his debut for the season. they replaced James Lord, Stuart and Dallas Moir.
Colin Laird started with 6 maidens as FPs made a circumspect start moving to 16 for no wicket in 12 overs. The introduction of Nalam and Walker brought some impetus to the FPs innings and Knudson survived a tight LBW appeal much to the displeasure of Kintore, before Lord survived a vociferous appeal for caught behind off Nalam’s bowling. Walker however did remove Knudson, bowling him for 19. Budd replaced him and after hooking a fine four, he played on to Walker to depart for 8 – FPs 47 for 2.
Moir made 8 as he clubbed a full toss for four but next ball another full toss from Maxfield was superbly caught one handed by Jones. Frizzell joined Lord in a 28 run stand but also fell for 8 bowled by the returning Jones. Eagles soon departed for a duck caught and bowled Maxfield. MacDonald andLord then raised the 100, but Lord was run out going for a secondto fall for a watchful 38, with 39 overs gone,
FPs needed some quick runs and they managed to muster 42 in the last 7 overs as first Morrison andMacDonald combined before Morrison ran his partner out for 15, and then joined MacDonald back in the pavillioncaught at cover for 8. Clelland launched some lusty blows before departing for 14 off the 2nd last ball as FPs closed on 142 for 9 in 46 overs.
With a total a little under par – FPs needed early wickets and Sam Knudson did not disappoint, claiming 2 wickets in his 2nd over as first Sathya chipped one tamely to Frizzell at mid on and 3 balls later he clean bowled Prosser for a duck. This brought Laird and Adams together and having consolidated to 25 for 2 in 12 overs they decided to take the attack to spinners Khan and Eagles hitting some big blows, and finding that fortune favours the brave as a couple of tough chances went down before Morrison pouched Laird at deep midwicket for 34 off Eagles’ bowling. Khan quickly dismissed Ramayanapli for a duck bowling him through the gate as Kintore slipped to 70 for 4.
Adams was still there but Khan and Clelland thought they had him stumped yet astonishinglythe umpire ruled otherwise despite Adams appearing to still be fractionally out of his ground. Adams took good advantage hitting two more good blows before Eagles bowled Ghanta for 3, Eagles then did get Adams sensationally caught by Frizzell running back as Adams departed for an excellent 40. When Knudson brilliantly pouched Maxfield one handed at cover off Eagles, Kintore were 96 for 7 and FPs looked to be in pole position.
However, a brilliant stand between Nalam and Singer got Kintore within 4 of victory before Nalam was well caught off a steepling top edge by Clelland after Frizell had shelled a tough chance the ball before. It had been a fine innings full of attacking shots as he made 28. Kintore were not to be denied and Singer slammed the next ball for four as Kintore claimed a vital win.
FPs were a little unfortunate not to force a win in what was an exciting game but credit has to go to Nalam for what was a match winning knock. Sam Knudson bowled well claiming 3 for 22 and Eagles spell of 4 for 28 was of the usual high quality. Khan’s return was encouraging and if FPs can start making bigger totals they will hope they can still drag themselves out of the bottom two.
