FPs slipped to a 3 wicket defeat as Inverurie chased FPs modest 83 all out, taking 43 overs to do so on a tough surface. The fact the highest individual score in the match was 22 was an indication of how tough it was to score runs. FPs battled valiantly to try to conjure up a win using 7 bowlers, but despite a terrific spell of 3 for 28 from Vijay Vijapur and 2 for 17 fo John Eagles, FPs were proven to be about 25 runs short of par.FPs as normal lost the toss which was to prove pivotal and lost star man Booth in the first over as he miscued Coutts to Norval to depart for 2. Shortly after Knudson was plumb LBW to Coutts for 2 and things got worse as Clelland (5) was stumped off Jessiman and Blythe having been dropped a simple chance by Norval, was bowled by Morrison’s first ball for 10, leaving FPs reeling at 23 for 4. It got worse at 25 for 5 as Davey attempted a single to Hadden, and was run out by the length of the pitch after Morrison attempted to send him back.
Morrison broke the shackles by thumping the next ball one bounce for four and he and Vijapur combined in a 33 run stand, carefully nudging the bowling about to pick up numerous singles. However, with a platform being set Vijapur (9) was given LBW to Morrison, although it did look like he may have been struck marginally outside the line. Geoff Morrison was out moments later to his namesake for a gritty 22 and FPs continued to lose regular wickets as Khan was brilliantly caught by a diving Coutts for 4, Barker was bowled for a duck and then Eagles attempting to hit out was clean bowled by Coutts for 15 as FPs were all out 83.
Inverurie produced a disciplined performance with Coutts the stand out with 3 for 13 from 10.5 and Morrison picking up 3 for 24. For FPs only Morrison and Eagles offered any sustained resistance.
Needing early wickets FPs opened with Vijapur and offspinner Khan, and with 16 on the board, Vijapur struck Norval edging to keeper Clelland for 13. With Khan extracting minimal turn, FPs turned to veteran Eagles and he struck in his 2nd over Randell drilling him straight to the safe hands of Davey at mid off for 3. It got better for FPs 2 balls later, as Eagles completely outfoxed Murrison bowling him behind his legs, with a sharply turning delivery. When FPs then had Hadden expertly caught by Davey off Vijapur for 10, the game was really on with Inverurie 29 for 4.
In what was then to prove a huge turning point in the next over, Eagles was convinced he had McLeod LBW but umpire Sutherland ruled it would have spun too far past the off stump. McLeod and Coutts undeterred, then set about an impressive stand of 32 with McLeod playing some fine shots, hitting 2 fours and a straight six to move to 21. Stuart and Knudson would not extract him but a typically hostile spell from Booth broke the partnership as McLeod skewed one to Stuart at point who claimed the catch.
His task done, opening bowler Vijapur returned and soon had Stalker caught at the wicket for 3 and when in the next over Morrison was out LBW to Knudson for a duck, Inverurie were still in need of 12 runs with only 3 wickets left. FPs skipper Morrison continued to roll the dice, trying Eagles, Knudson and Davey in a desperate attempt to claim a win, but Ewen nudged his way to 7 and Coutts hung in for a gritty 16 as Inverurie edged home in the 43rd over.
Overall, it was an exciting game with both teams playing hard but ultimately fair and if FPs could have garnered an additional 25 runs, it would have made a huge difference. Both sides then enjoyed some refreshments together and some excellent food laid on by Inverurie, in what was a great example of how teams should try to approach Grades cricket and ensure what happens on the field stays on the field. FPs will be hoping to survive in Grade 1 so as to enjoy more Inverurie hospitality next season and hopefully claim a win.