John Eagles rolled back the years with 6 for 19 while Chris Clelland made a stylish 41 as FPs eased relegation fears with a dominant display in a 6 wicket win against Crathie. Crathie had looked well set for a good total scoring 53 for the 1st wicket but after Shore fell for 48, they crumbled to 95 all out as Eagles completely dominated with a skillful display of spin bowling.
Having won the toss returning skipper Morrison chose to bowl and brought Clelland, Eagles and Norwood back into the side in place of James Lord and Paul McDonald who both broke bones against St Ronald as well as Senthil and Aly MacDonald. Vijapur and Mapplebeck who had gone well beyond the call of duty driving up from Paisley especially to play the match opened the bowling but found opener C Sole in excellent form, the Crathie opener playing some glorious drives for 4 and also launching a huge straight six as Crathie raced along at over 5 an over.
However, it was a change of approach that brought success for FPs as the rapid Mapplebeck was replaced by the slow and cunning of Eagles. He ought to have had a wicket in his 1st over but Vijapur spilled Sole on the long off boundary. Eagles did however breakthrough soon after as he clean bowled Cunningham for 12. Stuart replaced Vijapur and soon removed T Sole for 1, Vijapur snapping up a catch at point.
The game changer came in the next over as C Sole tried to launch Eagles for six but could not carry Booth at long on who claimed a good catch, Sole out for an excellent 48. Eagles was in the grove now and made short work of Slee clean bowling him for a duck before Booth caught McAra who had aimed a cross batted slog but could only find mid on, Crathie now 70 for 5.
It was soon 78 for 8 as Eagles easily bowled Elson for a duck, Booth took a superb catch at silly mid off to remove Culling for a duck and Knudson bowled Hitchin for the 4th duck of the innings. With only 10 men McDonald then hit out to add 17 for the final wicket, before Knudson claimed his 2nd wicket, clean bowling him.
Overall, it was a good bowling display from FPs with Eagles 6 for 19 from 12 the standout performer, however Knudson also bowled well taking 2 for 11 from 6 and Stuart on the money with 1 for 11 from 7. Vijapur had 0 for 27 from 7, Mapplebeck 0 for 23 from 6 and Davey delivered a maiden in his one over spell. The fielding display was variable with 3 chances going down, Lord dropping a catch he will not wish to remember, although his broken finger may have been the reason.
With only 96 needed to win, all that was needed was sensible batting and FPs made steady progress, breaking the back of the chase with an opening stand of 44 in 16 overs, Clelland in especially fine form, picking the gaps well to dominate the stand until partner Lord was LBW to McAra for 9. Booth came in at 3 and looked keen to end things quickly but made just 2 edged to Cunningham at the wicket off Slee.
Morrison joined Clelland and they added a fluent 29, to ease any concerns about the chase, running many twos and finding the gaps well, until Clelland 9 short of a well deserved half century was dismissed, T Sole diving to pull off a stunning catch at square leg off a McAra long hop.
New man Davey joined Morrison who had been untroubled and they were soon within 3 of victory, but Davey’s plan’s to end the game in style went a rye as he miscued to cover off Culling to fall for 3. Two balls later, Morrison drove Culling through the covers to run the 3 needed to record a comfortable 6 wicket win, Morrison ending unbeaten on 26 with Norwood not required to face a ball.
It was a satisfying win for FPs who have been rather disappointed with only one previous win this campaign. This win should secure FPs status in Grade 1, barring a string of unlikely results and FPs now travel to top of the table Ellon next week for their last league game of the season, hoping they can spring a surprise.
