FP resources were stretched by injuries and beamers
FPs were involved in yet another exciting run chase as they once again made over 200 and lost. Chasing 229 for victory, a belligerent 52 from skipper Morrison and a measured 46 from the reliable Tenneti gave FPs an ideal platform. However a middle order collapse somewhat undid the good top order performance, before veterans Eagles, Clelland and Knudson nearly won it for FPs, Clelland last out, with FPs 10 short of victory. With the ball FPs were missing 3 front line seamers and suffered a freak injury to Vijapur after only 2 overs and then had Sam Knudson somewhat harshly banned by the umpire due to 3 dangerous deliveries making it even more remarkable the game was so close.
With no Mapplebeck, Bishop, Stuart or Whitehouse, FPs bowling options were somewhat lessened and with this in mind Sam Knudson and Mike Campbell were recalled from seconds, Eagles returned and Clelland replaced the in form but unavailable Senthil and also took the gloves. On a rough looking pitch, Morrison was happy to win the toss and ask Bon Accord to bat.
Vijapur opened from the Beach Leisure end and struck with his 3rd ball comprehensively yorking star batsman Awan for a duck. FPs opted for spin at the other end in the form of Roland Knudson. Vijapur had started well but while retreating to his fielding position at the end of his 2nd over as he suffered a freak injury, slipping on the outfield and twisting his ankle. This was to rule him out of bowling again in the match, although he manfully soldiered on in the field on one leg.
His replacement Sam Knudson only took 10 balls to make an impact, Bhalani edging to a grateful Clelland behind the stumps for 15. He soon struck again, a perhaps inspired fielding change from the skipper paying dividends 1st ball as McDonald was moved to short leg where Hussain could only fend off a bouncer to be caught for 4. Sam Knudson then produced a pearler to clean bowl Ahmed for 21 as Bon Accord slipped to 51 for 4 in 13 overs.
The wind was playing havoc for the bowlers, and the rough pitch made for tough batting conditions with many deliveries rising sharply from a good length. New batsman Singh led a charmed live as Morrison spilled a simple chance on the boundary, juggling it for a while before grassing it off Eagles’ bowling before being caught behind by Clelland off Sam Knudson only to be given not out by the neutral umpire. He however did not last long, clean bowled by Eagles for 11.
With no Vijapur, FPs bowling reserves were further depleted when the umpire decided that Sam Knudson had bowled one too many waist high no balls and ordered he was removed from the attack. A clearly unimpressed captain Morrison thrust Campbell into the attack to complete the over. New batsman Malik was keen that youngster Knudson should continue bowling and sportingly asked for him to be allowed to continue but the request fell on deaf ears. Malik was even more sporting attempting a quick single to McDonald who swooped to thrown down the stumps to find Malik short of his ground for 10.
While FPs continued to shuffle the pack with man for all occasions Booth now bowling, Mirza had batted sensibly to reach a well deserved half century. He was looking well set for a century when he skied a drive to mid off, where a backpedaling Tenneti somehow managed to make the ground to claim a stunning catch to remove him for 67. Two balls later Booth had a 2nd victim when Fyffe miscued to point where Campbell took a simple catch. Bon Accord now in trouble at 157 for 8.
It could have been better for FPs when Campbell was convinced he had Syed LBW with a low straight delivery, but to his horror it was ruled not out. The batsmen took full advantage, playing extremely well and regularly found the boundary as the FP bowlers began to flag. Their stand was worth 71 when skipper Bhalani called them in wth Syed on 29 and Ahmed on 36, Bon Accord 228 for 8 in 42 overs.
Overall it had been a good effort in the field with Sam Knudson claiming 3 for 18 in 5.4 overs before his unfortunate removal, Vijapur taking 1 for 14 in his 2 overs, Roland Knudson wicketless for 57 in his 9 overs and Eagles deserving better than 1 for 44 in his 12. Campbell and Booth stepped into the breach with 6-0-39-0 and 8-1-48-2 respectively.
On a pitch that had produced a number of horrible deliveries, it was important for FPs to be positive and with lots of close fielders Morrison’s initial efforts at attack were rather poor being dropped 1st ball of the innings, aiming one over Broadhill and then being spilled a routine caught and bowled 2nd ball after all the Bon Accord fielders left it to each other and Malik’s last ditch dive just failed. He did then start to connect better and he and Waldron shared an entertaining stand of 38 in 8 overs when Waldron played over one to be unexpectedly bowled for 16 by Malik.
Undettered Morrison then combined to add 59 with Tenneti, regularly going down the pitch to Malik to loft him for boundaries and in an attempt to remove the uneven bounce. He did wear a few blows but the aggressive approach seemed to be working as he continued to hammer the ball to the boundary all round the wicket and passed 50 in good time with a late cut for four. However within 2 balls all the good work was to be undone as 1st Morrison gloved Fyffe to the keeper, walking despite being given not out for 52 and then Booth ran himself out in disastrous fashion 1st ball having been dropped. Suddenly FPs 97 for 3 in 19 overs.
Mike Campbell helped Tenneti stabilise matters but fell for just 5 caught by Fyffe off Hussain, FPs now 123 for 4, 106 runs from victory with 24 overs still left. The game looked up for FPs as Bon Accord landed a triple blow on 145 as Tenneti’s superb innings of 46 finally ended caught and bowled Ahmed. He hit 7 fours and played once again with great skill and discipline. When McDonald also fell to Hussain for 9 and Sam Knudson was bowled for a duck, it looked all over.
However a careful stand of 35 helped FPs back into things as Eagles and Clelland combined blocking resolutely and hitting the bad balls to the boundary. Eagles rolling back the years with some imperious cover drives. He also walked after nicking Bhalani to the keeper as Bon Accord once again looked favourites with FPs 180 for 8, still needing 49 from 55 balls. Still though FPs did not give up and Roland Knudson was able to chisel away at the target with four boundaries to take FPs to 210 for 9 when he was adjudged LBW to Malik after a sustained appeal, the only LBW victim of the game as the count went to 10-1 against FPs for the season.
Bon Accord believing that Vijapur would not bat thought the game was over, but Vijapur summoned up the strength to hop slowly to the crease to try and help FPs secure the 19 runs they craved. Despite being unable to really move he managed to cut a boundary and when Clelland did likewise, FPs only needed 10 from 12. However, it was not to be for FPs as Fyffe had Clelland well caught at slip for 16 as Bon Accord claimed a thrilling 8 run victory with 10 balls left.
It had been another fantastic game that could have gone either way and in which was played in a good spirit but FPs continue to play well and not win. Hopefully some of the bowlers may return next week and the batting can continue to prosper. Vijapur showed exactly the spirit that FPs have shown all season doing his all for the team and FPs continued aggressive style with the bat is far removed from the defensive batting of previous seasons and on the whole has been succesful this season. Next week is another tough game against St Ronald, a team FPs often struggle against.
