Former Bon Accord skipper Malik took 7 for 31 as FPs slid to a 7 wicket defeat at the Links in a game which FPs looked comfortable enough in but lost wickets at regular intervals. Roland Knudson top scored with 29 not out as he and Skipper Morrison added 30 for the 8th wicket but the season long challenge of putting stands together ensured FPs were all out for 99, at least 50 short of par.
Zahid Khan took 2 for 34 extracting some big turn but dropped catches ensured FPs were unable to put a strong Bon Accord side under sever pressure.
FPs lost the toss and were invited to bat and lost Blythe 3rd ball top edging a pull to square leg for a duck. Vijapur replaced him and had looked solid until Malik brought one into him pinning him LBW for 6. Fps were soon in deeper trouble at 23 for 3 as Clelland was clean bowled by Malik for 10. Aly McDonald struck 3 fours to make 12 before being caught at the wicket by Veldsman off Awan. Malik then clean bowled Paul McDonald for 4 and the procession continued as Khan was excellently caught and bowled by Malik for just 1 and Davey who had looked in good form fell for 17 edging Awan to Veldsman. Fps in deep trouble at 55 for 7.
Present and past skippers Morrison and Knudson then combined to repel Bon Accord for 7 overs adding 30, smashing Bhalani for 5 fours in 10 balls to raise some hope of a decent total. These hopes were quickly dashed however, as Morrison miscued Malik to mid wicket to fall for 12. Lord was then caught by Win in slightly dubious circumstances close to th wicket for 2 and the impressive Malik claimed his 7th victim as Stuart was clean bowled for a duck.
Needing early wickets, FPs then proceeded to drop Awan in the opening over, Davey failing to hang on at cover, before Lord was unable to get under a chip by Sharma. The experiment of opening with Knudson did not prove a success, but it was Vijapur who was suffering the dropped catches as Aly McDonald made good ground but could not hang on to Awan at mid on.
Eventually Vijapur did get the wicket he deserved as he nailed Sharma LBW for 8 and despite some protestations towards the neutral umpire, there was no reprieve as he was sent on his way for 8. New man Veldsman started cautiously but after getting his eye in played some lovely shots hitting Khan for 2 sixes in one over as Bon Accord speeded towards their target.
Khan however was producing some fine deliveries and deservedly removed Awan for a classy 33, when he chipped one straight to Morrison at cover, who claimed a simple catch. Veldsman struck two more 6s off Stuart but eventually fell for an aggressive 40, held at long on by Aly McDonald to give Khan his 2nd wicket with just 10 needed.
The game was then to end in slightly surreal circumstance as Morrison introduced Paul McDonald for his 1st bowl for the club and he produced one of the unlikeliest maidens of the season as Mirza defended 6 balls stoutly in some protest towards his team mates. It got odder as the next 2 overs were similarly patted back as Morrison continued to invite new bowlers for one over spells until eventually, seemingly fed up Ahmed struck a 4 to complete a 7 wicket win.
Bon Accord were worthy winners with a strong batting and bowling lineup and will still undoubtedly have a big say in the destination of the league title. FPs continue to try and beat the drop as they travel to 3rd bottom Inverurie who will be sure to give FPs a tough challenge.
