Gary Stuart continued his recent impressive form as FP defeated St.Ronald, however it was with the bat he initially swung the game in FPs favour with a match changing 19 not out as he and Dave Bishop (14*) shared an unbroken stand of 31 for the 10th wicket. In the context of the game it was pivotal as FPs edged home by 21 runs. He then got danger man Haider and Khan both superbly caught by Senthil and caught Aman on the boundary. Earlier Booth (29), Tenneti (26), Senthil (24), and Davey ( 20) had helped FPs towards their 159 for 9 in 46 overs. Mapplebeck’s hostile spell of 3 for 32, Vijapur with 2 for 24, Bishop 2 for 26 and Sam Knudson made sure all the bowlers contributed to the vital win.
FPs had the luxury of being able to rest main spinner Roland Knudson for Sunday’s cup tie and he was named 12th man as FP lined up with Morrison, Davey, Tenneti, Booth, Senthil, McDonald, Vijapur, Mapplebeck, Sam Knudson, Bishop and Stuart. Morrison lost the toss and was perhaps not too upset to be asked to bat. He and Davey opened and after a testing opening spell from Mohammed and Aman, FPs lost Morrison caught and bowled to Mohamed for 11. With longish grass, FPs were struggling to find the boundary and it took until the 14th over until Tenneti hit the first four. Davey was just beginning to find his timing when we played on to Mohammed for 20, FPs 36 for 2.
New man Booth and Tenneti batting with a good tempo then added 50 together in 11 overs as both started to find the boundary, dispatching any loose deliveries for 4. Tenneti had just launched a fine straight 4, when he miscued a Bode full toss and was easily caught for 29. It started a collapse of 7 for 42 as Booth was well caught on the long on boundary by Gundra off Aman and McDonald (1), Vijapur (0), Mapplebeck (0) and Knudson (1) departed in quick time. The last recognised batsman Senthil had made a stylish 24 but he also perished caught on the boundary to give Bode a second victim.
At 128 for 9 in 39 0vers, FPs looked well short of par, but Bishop and Stuart combined to great effect, running well to add 9 twos and two booming boundaries from Stuart. It was to prove a vital stand of 31 and ensured FP batted their overs. 159 for 9 was probably 20 less than had been wanted but at least gave FPs something to bowl at.
Vijapur made the perfect start with 3rd ball, trapping Bode for a first ball duck LBW. Sam Knudson soon had a wicket too as Mohammed was well caught by keeper Booth for 7. Haider already appeared to be the dangerman, latching on to anything wide and finding the boundary regularly. Bhavsar had looked solid but Vijapur removed him, easily caught at the wicket for 10.
FPs made a double bowling change with pacemen Mapplebeck and Bishop replacing the openers. Mapplebeck had started well but it took him 7 overs to break through, Mudie edging a hostile ball to keeper Booth for 9 last ball before drinks. Bishop had bowled a good spell with minimal luck and was replaced by Stuart with St.Ronald still needing 84 from 22 overs. Haider was proving impossible to remove, but as he so often does against the best players, Stuart removed him for 44, Senthil claiming a very good catch at cover. Next over Stuart had another, Khan shocked to see Arul catch another one at cover which had gone like a rocket – a brilliant catch.
The game looked to heading in FPs direction, but St Ronald had other ideas, as Aman and Gundra combined to add 32 until Mapplebeck returned to clean bowl Gundra in spectacular fashion for 12. Bishop replaced Stuart as FPs sensed a victory and after much debate and fine tuning to the field Bishop struck straight away, Stuart positioned perfectly at deep point to claim the catch, to Aman’s dismay who had to go for 24. It really looked to be FPs game now and Mapplebeck was determined to finish it in his final over, dispatching Junaid for 5 with 3 balls of his spell left. Sid batting with a runner survived the final 2 balls as St Ronald reached 136 for 9 with 4 overs left.
However, it only took Bishop 4 more balls to claim the last wicket, Hamza edging to gully, where a jubilant Tenneti held the catch at the 3rd attempt grabbing it inches from the ground as FPs claimed a vital win.
It had been a very good bowling and fielding performance with Mapplebeck taking 3 for 32 from 12, Vijapur 2 for 24 from 6, Bishop 2 for 26 from 8, Stuart 2 for 21 from 7 and Knudson 1 for 29 from 8. The only catch dropped was a fantastic attempt to McDonald and very few wides were sent down. It keeps FPs well away from the relegation places in what is becoming a very tight league. Next in the league is leaders Mannofield, although on Sunday FPs face Cults in the cup semi final. Roland Knudson and John Waldron return to replace Senthil and Bishop.
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