FPs defeated Gordonians to claim the Fire Shield, winning by 21 runs having posted 196 for 9 in their 45 overs. It was a remarkable turnaround as FPs recovered from 1 for 4 and 29 for 6 thanks to Pehlaj 45, McDonald 42 and Vijapur 56 not out. Mapplebeck, Chovatiya, Knudson and Samani all claimed 2 wickets as FPs largely controlled matters with the ball.
FPs lined up with Morrison as skipper, Booth, Pehlaj, Mapplebeck, Senthil, Davey, McDonald, Vijapur, Knudson and debutants Samani and Chovatiya. FPs lost the toss and were asked to bat on a brand new artificial pitch at Countesswells. FPs started terribly, Booth chipping a half volley straight to Stark 1st ball off the game and then fellow opener Morrison falling 3rd ball miscuing to mid on for a duck. Fps 1 for 2 at the end of the first over from Pettit.
Debutant Samani was run out in farcical circumstances in the 3rd over after Pehlaj called for an impossible single and FPs were soon 1 for 4 as Mappleback chipped Prattipatti straight to cover. Senthil joined Pehlaj and at least managed to strike a couple of boundaries but was out for 11 caught off Pettit’s bowling. Davey hit one fine boundary, but was bowled by Khan for 7 as FPs slumped to 29 for 6 in the 14th over.
Luckily Pehlaj was still hanging in there and was joined by McDonald who played with his usual aggression, smashing 28 off 8 balls from Khan, with two big sixes over mid wicket and some clubbing straight drives. This seemed to give FPs some much needed momentum, as Pehlaj registered his first boundaries, one a fine pull and then an outrageous hockey flick over point. FPs were beginning to get a real foothold in the game from McDonald’s aggression, but he fell at a bad time for FPs, bowled by a fuller ball from Nair for an excellent 42, in a stand worth 58.
Vijapur joined Pehlaj and they added an entertaining 60, Pehlaj launching one huge six over square leg and Vijapur playing some great straight drives for four. Pehlaj was well caught on the boundary 5 short of a well deserved 50 from Nair’s bowling, an innings that had held FPs chances together. Veteran Knudson then combined with Vijapur to add 49 in 6 overs as Vijapur moved past 50 in fine style and Knudson played cleverly to give Vijapur the strike with 11 not out.
Pick of the bowlers for Gordonians was Pettit with 3 for 18 from 9, Nair 2 for 24 and PrattiPatti with 1 for 24. FPs were indebted to a calm Pehlaj, an aggressive McDonald and a composed Vijapur as at one point a score of 50 seemed unlikely.
Vijapur and Chovatiya opened the bowling and Vijapur had two close LBW shouts in the opening over. Chovatiya found his line and length straight away and picked up his first wicket for FPs pinning Devlin LBW for 3. Knudson came on 1st change and struck twice quickly, 1st Kieran LBW for 12 and then Reddy 3rd ball for a duck, bowled hitting across a straight ball. Chovatiya struck again in his 6th over, bowling Pettit with a fine inswinger for 5 to leave Gordonians on 34 for 4 from 15 overs.
Mapplebeck replaced Chovitiya (7-0-17-2) and bowled a very accurate line and length at good pace claiming 2 for 6 in his first six overs, having Nair easily caught by Booth at short cover for 6 and clean bowling Brown for 2. FPs well in charge now with Gordonians 6 down for 56. It could and should have been better, but a number of chances were dropped in the field, some easier than others as FPs contrived to drop 8 catches during the innings. Ironically when Davey held a skier it was from a no ball from Mapplebeck. Samani in his 1st bowl for FPs also picked up his 1st wicket, Knudson easily catching Khan at point.
Vijapur was brought back and had Stark well caught close to the wicket by Booth for a quickfire 24, after a stand of 36 with Prattipatti to reduce Gordonians to 115 for 8 and the game seemed up at 132 for 9 in the 35th over when Mapplebeck ran out Dolman with a good throw. However Prattipatti was not for giving up and launched a fine counter attack. Morrison brought back both Mappleback and Chovatiya to try and finish things but neither could break through despite various chances being created and missed in the field.
With 5 overs left Gordonians still needed 51, but three sixes from Pratipatti off Knudson brought them within site of an improbable win and moved to 66 not out in good time. However, with the front line bowlers bowled out, Morrison brought back Samani and he struck 4th ball bowling Jones for 4 as FPs claimed the win.
FPs will have been happy with the overall bowling effort, Vijapur 9-2-42-1, Chovatiya 9-0-23-2, Knudson 8-2-29-2, Mapplebeck 9-3-13-2, Davey 3-0-24-0 and Samani 5.4-0-24-2, however will need to do better in the field as many chances went down and there were a number of avoidable runs conceded. FPs will also need to bat better as losing the top 6 for 29 will normally lead to defeat. The debuts of Chovatiya and Samani were encouraging and Pehlaj stepped up from the 2nd XI seamlessly. Also great credit to both teams for a very enjoyable match played in an excellent spirit. FPs start next week with a very tough game against Mannofield.