Much Improved showing lifts FPs out of bottom two

FPs bounced back from the shambolic preformance against Ellon last week with a much improved showing against Mannofield which allowed them to sneak out of the bottom two with 4 games left to play.  FPs could not force the win they deserved but will be heartened by having Mannofield 9 wickets down and clinging on bravely for a draw.  There were contributions with the bat from Moir (41), McDonald (26), Lord 22) and Morrison (18) as FPs scored  a healthy171 for 8.  Moir then bowled a great spell taking 4 for 16 and Eagles bagged 3 for 38 as Mannofield clung on for the draw making 125 for 9.

FPs lost the toss and were asked to bat.  They made 3 changes to their team with Moir, Eagles and Stuart returned to greatly bolster the bowling attack.  FPs having promoted Morrison to open with Lord made positive progress with Morrison twice finding the boundary before falling LBW sweeping Asan for 18 as FPs reached 29 for 1 in the 10th over.  Clelland joined Lord and they proceeded at around the same rate moving the score to 57 before Cleland top edged Asan to Gray to depart for 8.

Lord who had bizarrely not been allowed to retire hurt by the Mannofield captain battled on and was joined by Moir and they added 14 before Lord was caught by Gray at point as Asan claimed his 3rd wicket.  Eagles could not get going as was stumped for a duck off legspinner Byrne – 73 for 4 in 27 overs.  Moir was joined by Paul McDonald and they combined in an exciting stand of 37 dominated by 26 from the big hitting McDonald. Shortly after Moir had smashed a window in the pavillion with a monsterous six, McDonald upped the ante by thumping Rana right over the pavillion and half way up Harlaw road in the one of the biggest hits seen at Rubislaw in many years.

Unfortunately he was bowled off his pads moments later and was replaced by skipper Knudson who made a quickfire 11 before being bowled by Rana.  Malik came in and played aggresively making 15 before he to was bowled by Rana.  Moir was then bowled by a shooter from Asan for an excellent 41 before a late assault by Khan carried FPs to 171 for 8.  Unfortunately Asan was injured from the last ball letting a caught and bowled through his hands and splitting his chin and had to head to hospital for stitches.

After tea Mannofield began their chase are were soon 1 down as Lawson was plumb LBW for a duck to Moir, he thought he has Ayaz in the same manner 2 balls later but the umpire turned down the appeal.  Rana and Ayaz combined to add 34 before Moir did get Ayaz LBW for 15, although it looked a little high. Gamolen replaced him and hit a few good shots before offering a simple chance to John Lord at mid off who calmy pouched the catch.

Eagles quickly removed skipper Johnstone heaving across the line to depart for a duck and Lord looked like being the catching king again moments later but having made good ground to a miscue from Van Oorschot he could not hang on to it, but he quickly made amends bagging dangerman Rana next ball off Eagles’ bowling.  Mannofield 65 for 5 from 19 overs.  It took until the 26th over for FPs to strike again, skipper Knudson bowling Van oorschot for 11 with a quicker delivery.  Javed and Gray then frustrated FPs for 9 overs with the patched up Javed being put down a tough chance by Sam Knudson at slip and then Malik shelling him at point.  The returning Moir however took just 5 balls to find the breakthrough, ripping out off stump, bowling Javed for 9.

FPs continued to try different combinations and Khan came up trumps bowling Niven with his 2nd ball for a duck as Mannofield’s 8th wicket went down.  Moir then removed the battling Gray for 29 edging behind to Clelland to take a simple chance as Mannofield regressed to 119 for 9.  This left FPs 5 overs to claim the final wicket and Moir and Khan tried everything, McDonald nearly claiming a stunning short leg catch in the dying moments.  But Byrne and 14 year old Marttin stood firm batting with great purpose as the match concluded as a draw.

It had been an exciting contest with Mannofield only shutting up shop at the end and battling hard to secure the draw.  FPs will have been buoyed by Inverurie’s heavy defeat which allowed them out of the bottom two for the first time in 8 matches, but in order to stay there FPs will need 4 more performances at this level.  Next week is a local derby at Queens Cross which is always a tightly contested game.