FPs battled hard at the Links as despite being on the end of some tough LBW decisions, they were able to hang on for the draw against an excitable Bon Accord side. On a bitterly cold day with a strong northerly wind, barely suitable for cricket, FPs were powerless to stop Fazal Awan power his way to 108 in a Bon Accord total of 237 for 5 but batted with purpose for 50 overs to cling on at 149 for 9. Incredibly 6 of the 9 wickets FPs lost were to LBW decisions.
FPs made 4 changes with the Paul MacDonald injured and Sam Knudson, Aly MacDonald and Tabrez Malik unavailable and they were replaced by Frizell, Youles, Roland Knudson and Dallas Moir – making a rare start. FPs won the toss an elected to bowl. James Lord and Jerry Moir taking up the attack. Thing were kept tight at first as 31 came from the opening ten overs as Awan chipped a few in the air before finding his timing, unfortunately for FPs none going to the fielders.
However, once he found his range he played some magnificent shots, including 4 sixes and 11 fours as he raised his hundred before his opening partner had even reached 30. Only Eagles was able to exact any real control as the change bowlers struggled to make an impact and it looked as if FPs might not take any wickets until eventually in the 29th over Meres chipped Eagles to Dalles Moir at extra cover who claimed with ease as Meres departed for 32 – 141 for 1.
Awan looked like he might bat all day but he was clearly irritated after a frank exchange of views with Morrison over an overthrow and attempting a second to Morrison on the boundary was run out for a fine 108 although the decison appeared at best marginal. Next over Clelland was convinced he had Mirza stumped off Moir but it was a tight call and the batsman survived. He took good advantage of the escape, hitting 16 from the next over but Moir got his man next over bowling him for a rapid 39 – 195 for 3. Eagles then claimed 2 wickets in his next over, first Dhiman caught on the extra cover boundary by Morrison and then Malik bowled attempting a big hit.
Ahmed and Hussain then added some quick runs in an aggresive partnership to carry Bon Accord to 237 for 5, declaring after 40 overs. Bowling figures were Lord 8-2-33-0, Moir 12-2-48-1, Eagles 12-1-76-3, Knudson 2-0-16-0 and Stuart 6-0-60-0.
FPs were never likely to be able to chase the runs required for victory and were soon in deep trouble at 24 for 3 in 10 overs as first Knudson was LBW Malik for 14 in a marginal decision before Lord received an LBW decision he could scarcely believe as he departed for 4. There was no doubt about Clelland as he miscued Malik to point for a duck.
Dallas Moir, attired in shorts and sandals with his mobile in his pocket joined his brother Jerry and they batted with real purpose in a 53 run stand which spanned 15 overs as Jerry played the more aggressive shots hitting 2 sixes and two fours before falling plumb LBW for 29. Eagles joined Dallas and they combined for 10 overs in a 28 run stand before Dallas Moir miscued Ahmed to depart for 24. Youles replaced him and he was the 4th LBW this time to Awan for a duck and Eagles was soon dealt a similar fate adjudged LBW for 31, the batsman also appearing disappointed with the decision. The continuous appealing kept coming as did the LBWs as having survived two shouts in his opening 2 balls, Morrison was adjudged LBW 3rd ball although there may have been a suspicion of contact with the bat.
Frizzell was battling hard and Lord joined him to try and cling on and both survived numerous LBW appeals before Lord was clean bowled for a duck – FPs staring down the barrel at 139 for 9 with 16 balls remaining. Last man Stuart however, was not about to grant Bon Accord the 10th wicket batting doggedly with Frizzell, taking the game into the final over. Stuart seemed unconcerned by the pressure dismissively defending one ball and throwing it back to the bowler, before surviving a frenzied 11 man appeal next ball. he nicked a single before Frizzell defended the final ball as FPs survived.
Overall it was as good as FPs could have hoped for given Bon Accord’s excellent batting, Awan in particularly good form and if FPs can show the same doggedness for the rest of the season there is still a good chance to survive. Bon Accord look like good bets for the title, but for FPs it will be the basement battle next week that consumes their thoughts, not the question of who will win the title.
