FPs slid to a 5 wicket loss at reigning champions Ellon to end their recent winning run. Despite a much improved bowling performance in which Harry Mapplebeck claimed 3 for 41, a lack of runs meant FPs were always struggling. Despit Booth hitting 72 from only 44 balls and an aggresive 26 not out from Paul McDonald, FPs struggled to recover from 2 for 3 and were bowled out in just 26 overs.
Waldron and Booth returned and FPs lined up Morrison, Waldron, Vijapur, Tenneti, Booth, Senthil, Davey, McDonald, Mapplebeck, Sam Knudson and Roland Knudson. Morrison finally lost a toss and FPs were asked to bat on an excellent looking pitch.
FPs were soon in trouble as Morrison fell in the 1st over for a duck for the 2nd week running, this time 5th ball, walking after he feathered a catch to Davies off Scott Whyte. Fellow opener Waldron also went 5th ball, for a duck superbly caught in the slips off Wade. When star man Tenneti was also out for a duck, bowled 2nd ball for a duck, FPs were deep in the mire at 2 for 3.
Unperturbed Booth entered the fray and launched a blistering attack on Scott Whyte smashing out of the attack in 4 extrodinary overs that went for 48. First up he hammered 4 fours in a row before taking the next over for 18 with 3 more boundaries and a huge six over square leg from an attempted bouncer. He hit 3 more boundaries in the next over, but did lose Vijapur run out and Senthil caught off Greenfield for 2 as FPs slid to 49 for 5 in the 10th over, Booth having made 43 of them.
He passed his 50 in 24 balls, this representing something of a slowing down having made 41 from his 1st 16 balls. He was joined by Davey who brought a bit of solidity to the innings making a composed 18 before he drove Greenfield straight to mid off. Booth continued his chaos at the other end hitting Marsh for 3 straight boundaries, but his fun was ended by the offspin of Satya, when he played on for a breathless and chanceless 72 (14×4, 1×6) in an innings that deserved 3 figures. FPs now 112 for 7 in 18 overs.
McDonald took this as his cue to open his shoulders and raced to 26 not out with 4 boundaries but Mappleback went caught and bowled for 1, Sam Knudson was caught at point for 9 abd Roland Knudson was LBW for 8 as FPs slipped to 144 all out and Greenfield ended with 5 for 46.
FPs quest for early wickets in the sun was to prove illusive as Ellon set about their target with great application. Davies playing with great care on his way to an unbeaten 51 and ably supported by Satya who made 51 in good time before being bowled by Roland Knudson by the 2nd ball Knudson had at him.
Mapplebeck then grabbed 3 wickets, bowling with great pace, bowling Veldsman fending into his own stumps for 13, before clean bowling both White and March in quick succesion.
FPs had kept fielders up throughout, with Roland Knudson bowling with 5 mean round the bat and he got a well deserved 2nd victim, when an arm ball deceived Webb (8) and Sam Knudson dived to catch him superbly at slip.
FPs unfortunately had left themselves too much to do and Ellon closed out a comfortable 5 wicket win.
