A string of dropped catches cost FPs dear as they were unable to bowl out St Ronald and ended up with a disappointing draw. Having posted a slightly below par 217 for 9, thanks to 41 from Vijapur, 39 from Morrison and 32 from Tenneti, Stuart 2 for 38, Roland Knudson 2 for 39 and Harry Mapplebeck 2 for 41 did their best but FPs could not force a win.
FPs lost the toss and were asked to bat on a hot sunny afternoon and openers Morrison and Vijapur quickly added 62 for the 1st wicket. Morrison particularly sever on the opening bowlers, hitting 2 big sixes and four 4s in a fluent 39 before being caught at long on aiming another maximum. Tenneti joined Vijapur and they added 43 in good time as St.Ronald continued to rotate their 4 bowlers.
It was in fact something of a surprise when Vijapur holed out to long to Khan to hand Singh his 2nd wicket, falling for 41 (4×4). Booth joined Tenneti and they consolidated the score moving along to 147, before a clatter of wickets derailed FPs hopes of a really big score. 1st Tenneti, frustrated at being tied down, played on for 34 off Nikhil, with Senthil following soon after for 1 bowled by Bode. When Booth was clean bowled by Tiwari for 22 (2×4, 1×6) FPs had slipped to 150 for 5.
Davey and Campbell repaired matters somewhat with a watchful stand of 27, until Campbell edged to Haider off Bode for 13. Mapplebeck came and went for 2 to Tiwari and it was 188 for 8 in 42 overs when Davey played on to Tiwari for 19. Roland and Sam Knudson then combined to add 29 quick runs, Roland Knudson hitting one big six before Sam Knudson fell last ball of the innings for 15, Roland Knudson unbeaten on 17 as FPs closed on 217 for 9.
It was probably 25 less than FPs would have liked but still gave them plenty to bowl at. Fps should have had dangerman Haider but Davey could not make the ground needed at long leg. However, Vijapur had him 2 balls later when he cut straight to Sam Knudson in the gully for 10. St.Ronald were then dealt a blow when Bode had to retire hurt on 13. It brought Mudie and Khan together and they made good progress to 78, until after a couple of missed chances Roland Knudson bowled Khan for 28.
Shortly after Mapplebeck and all of FPs were convinced Mudie was out LBW but the umpire Stephen ruled somewhat controversially otherwise. Roland Knudson soon had another clean bowling Farooqui for 2, St.Ronald 89 for 3. FPs continued to drop chances as Sam Knudson spilled Ali and Stuart dropped Mudie, although they then had Ali simply caught behind by Booth off Mapplebeck, only for the umpire to rule otherwise. Eventually Ali did go in the 32nd over as Senthil called a skier in the gully off an aggressive Mapplebeck delivery.
Stuart then won a surprising LBW decision against Mohamed for 1 and when Morrison claimed a simple chance at point to dispatch Mudie for a patient 35 FPs were in with a great chance to claim the win. Mapplebeck then clean bowled Singh for a duck as St.Ronald slipped to 141 for 7 with 8 overs left.
It brought Tiwari to the crease and he and the returning Bode launched a fine counter attack, adding 45 in 5 overs as suddenly St.Ronald decided to try and win the game. When Tenneti missed Tiwari, FPs concerns were growing, but Tenneti redeemed himself, claiming a stunning catch at long on to remove Tiwari for 28. It left St.Ronald to shut up shop and Nikhil and Bode did this for the last 3 overs with minimum fuss.
Overall, FPs did not do enough to win the game, but did have enough chances to do so, but let themselves down with some poor catching. They also conceded too many wides and no balls although some of these were rather harsh. Next up is Inverurie in what is sure to be another tough game.
