FPs comfortably chased down 244 to claim full points at Methlick, winning with 7 overs to spare. Having bowled and fielded poorly, only managing two wickets, things did not look too clever when Morrison fell 3rd ball of the reply. However, the ever dependable Tenneti made yet another half century (67), John Davey returned to form with a classy 54, Arul Senthil made a pulsating 51 not out and Vijay Vijapur made 32 as FPs won by 6 wickets.
Earlier on Anderson (54), Kennedy (86*) and Murphy 45* had batted well to get Methlick to 243 for 2. FPs both dropping catches and fielding with limited intensity. However, they were delighted when Methlick chose to declare on an extremely gettable score after just 42 overs, making the cardinal sin of discounting how many runs were likely to be scored to the very short boundary. It was to prove more than gettable as FPs cantered to victory.
FPs were under strength with Sam and Roland Knudson still away, two of last weeks batting heroes Waldron and Booth also unavailable and leading wicket taker Stuart injured. Mapplebeck returned and in came the experienced Eagles, James Lord and Zahid Khan. FPs won the toss and elected to field. Vijapur and Bishop opened the bowling and Vijapur should have had Anderson early, but he was dropped by Tenneti standing in for Booth. Bishop was a bit off colour and after 4 overs was replaced by Mapplebeck but he also struggled for rhythm.
Vijapur however in his 8th over did break the opening stand at 46, Tenneti catching Bremannesen for a painstaking 4. It was to be the last success that FPs would have for quite some time as they tried various bowling options including Eagles and Khan but they could not dislodge the batsmen. Kennedy in particular scoring freely, regularly finding the boundary. Eagles was convinced he had him LBW and Morrison was even more certain he had run him out but on both occasions the umpire was on hand to rule otherwise. The run out particularly upsetting FPs as even though Tenneti did not gather cleanly the deflection went into the stumps with the batsman seemingly well short.
FPs were not helping their own cause conceding 52 extras including 31 wides, although quite a large number of them were at best generous but at least consistent. Kennedy continued to plunder the legside, scoring almost exclusively in that area but at good pace, hitting 3 sixes. Mapplebeck returned, this time at the pavilion end and struck in his 1st over, knocking out Anderson’s leg stump for a measured 54. Methlick 161 for 2 in 33.
Steve Murphy came in at 4 and he and Kennedy added another 82 in 9 overs, Morrison unable to claim a sprawling chance on the boundary, but in general the pitch playing well as Murphy raced to 45 not out. Methlick then surprisingly declared on 243 for 2 in 42 overs, perhaps being lulled in by the 75% rule which in reality was never likely to come into effect on such a good pitch with one very short boundary.
It had been a very good batting display, but FPs let themselves down with some less than stellar bowling and some poor fielding. Vijapur bowled well taking 1 for 51 in 12 overs, Bishop 10-1-47-0, Mapplebeck 9-055-1, Eagles 7-0-45-0 and Khan 4-0-30-0 were the other bowling figures.
FPs confident of chasing the runs opened up with Morrison and Vijapur, the latter moving up the order in Waldron’s absence. The confidence looked ill placed as Morrison was dropped 1st ball of the innings, an unbelievably simple miss from the wicketkeeper. However, Morrison could not take advantage falling two balls later, playing another loose shot to be easily caught by Kennedy at point.
With Pehlaj Tenneti not fully kitted up to bat at his usual 3, Davey came in one higher than planned, but it was to work well as he and Vijapur added 98 for the 2nd wicket in 20 overs, Davey playing some fantastic cover drives towards the short boundary and even launched a six off Williams. Vijapur was batting with great care but played some fine straight drives and looked set for a big score. Methlick were clearly rattled having assumed the game had been won on 1st innings, and opening bowler Duffy started to complain about a number of trivial matters, including short running.
It was therefore a surprise when Vijapur fell for 32 (4×4) caught by Kennedy off the bowling of Murphy. The game was back in the balance in Murphy’s next over, as after Davey had gloved the bowler straight to slip, who inexplicibly left it to reach a well deserved 50, Murphy produced a fine ball that cut back to bowl him for 54 (8×4, 1×6).
However, any hopes Methlick had of winning or drawing the game were taken away from them in fine style by Tenneti and Senthil who added 126 in 19 overs as FP cantered towards the winning line. Both men found the boundary regularly in an entertaining stand with no chances offered. Tenneti hitting one Kennedy over for 18 with a huge 6 and some amazing flicks and late cuts as the score rattled along. He took another over for 16 with 4 successive fours as his full repertoire was unveiled. Senthil was not mucking about either hitting 5 fours as he scored freely.
With just 20 needed Tenneti’s brilliant innings ended on 67 (10×4, 1×6), Kennedy catching him at deep point as he attempted another big hit. It was his 6th half century of the season and took him past 400 runs for the season in the league. McDonald made sure there would be no late drama, crunching Murphy for four and then nicking straight through the vacant 1st slip area for a 2nd boundary to make 8 not out. With 1 needed to win and Senthil on 45, the message was given that only a six would do to achieve a personal milestone and he responded next ball smashing Jones straight for six to finish the game in fine style and reach 51 not out (6×4, 2×6).
It was another good win for FPs and achieved in a match where they failed to perform in the 1st innings. It was also heartening that Tenneti apart, it was different players who got the runs this week as the good batting form continued. The task was made easier by the generous declaration and short boundary but it was a very good chase. Next up for FPs is reigning champions Ellon away in what traditionally has not been a happy hunting ground for FPs.