Despite having 49 overs, Inverurie were unable to overhaul FPs under par 228 all out in a draw which appears somewhat more exciting than it actually was. Some late hitting from Hadden (62) and Norval (67) almost got Inverurie a victory, but their go slow early approach in which avoiding defeat appeared to be more important than winning meant that they had too much to do in the final few overs, eventually closing on 220 for 7. In a game played in an excellent spirit and well umpired by new umpire Blair Thomson, a draw was about fair as neither side did enough to be declared as winners. For FPs Paul McDonald smashed a quick fire 55, Tom Booth made 45 and Sam Knudson crashed a late 36. Mapplebeck then claimed 3 for 57 in a fiery if somewhat inconsistent bowling spell.
FPs once again lost the toss and were asked to bat, with one change from the previous week, leading run scorer Tenneti replaced by McDonald. Both openers fell with only 33 on the board, Morrison aiming something violent over mid wicket but top edging to be caught and bowled by Morrison for 6 and Vijapur caught at cover by Moore for 13 off the same bowler.
This brought Booth and McDonald together and they added 60 in 8 overs in an explosive stand as both regularly found the boundary, McDonald hitting one of his 3 sixes onto the roof and Booth also smashing a huge six as the score rattled along. It was therefore something of a surprise when Booth was caught and bowled by Hadden for 45 (6×4, 1×6) off a leading edge. Senthil smashed a big six over cover but fell for just 10, caught by Norval off Moore for 10.
Davey joined McDonald and they added 45 in 7 overs, Davey launching two straight boundaries down the ground and McDonald raising his 50 with another maximum. However, after becoming becalmed he fell for 55 caught by Bateman to give Jessiman a wicket. FPs were suddenly in freefall as Davey was dropped a simple catch but run out in the confusion by the recovering Norval and then Campbell guided Coutts straight to Morrison in the gully. FPs 153 for 7.
It brought Sam Knudson and Harry Mapplebeck together and they stabilised the innings with a stand of 39 in good time before Morrison had Mapplebeck caught by Norval for 15. In a game of no incident it was slightly odd to watch the bowler deliver the most embarrassing send off of the season which brought a warning from the umpire and a severe tongue lashing from his unimpressed teammates. After that oddity, Sam Knudson was joined by Roland Knudson and they batted together to add 28, Sam hitting Coutts for 3 successive 4s during his innings of 36 (4 x 4). When he was bowled by Morrison the score was 220 and Stuart and Roland Knudson could only add 8 more before Knudson was caught off Hadden for 6. FPs all out 228 in 41 overs, a score which was a lot less than it should have been.
With only 1 point available for a draw for Inverurie, they seemed to have little option but to go for the win. However, they struggled to get Vijapur and Sam Knudson away in a tight opening, scoring just 29 in the 1st 15 overs. They did lose Stalker for 1, easily caught at silly mid off by Paul McDonald off Vijapur.
FPs then had to wait a long time for a 2nd breakthrough, as Coutts and Hadden played extremely well, attacking lose delivering, but in the main, happy to defend and be patient. Having tried Mapplebeck and Roland Knudson, it was Gary Stuart who got the breakthrough in the 31st over, Coutts plumb LBW for 42. Stuart then thought he had Hadden LBW with a disguised slower leg cutter, but it may have just pitched outside leg stump, despite straightening sharply.
New batsman Norval brought a new attacking approach to the crease looking to up the rate as Inverurie added 100 for the 3rd wicket and were looking like they could be in danger of winning the game as they got within 30 of the winning line with 6 overs left. They may well have wished they had pushed on a bit earlier as the approach meant all eggs were rather in one basket, relying on Hadden and Norval to see it through.
Having passed 50, hitting 3 maximums Norval seemed to guiding Inverurie to the win and when Campbell missed him at point, FPs were running short of ideas. However a rapid and well directed bouncer from Mapplebeck removed Norval for a fine 67, as he could only top edge to long leg where Campbell did not need to move an inch to take a simple catch. After Sam Knudson had been expensive in his 2nd spell, Morrison turned to experienced off spinner Roland Knudson and he removed Haddin straight away, Mapplebeck taking an excellent catch at deep square leg to remove Hadden for a fine 62.
Knudson struck again next ball as FPs sensed an improbable win, Wilson gone for a golden duck. However, FPs could not break through again until the final over, when Mapplebeck twice rearranged the stumps bowling Lamb for 10 and Bateman 1st ball for a duck as FPs claimed a couple of extra points as Inverurie closed on 220 for 7.
It was a fair result and a reasonable return for FPs given it was not their finest showing of the season. It keeps FPs in 4th and they will be keen to finish the season on a high.
