A superb unbeaten century from the prolific Pehlaj Tenneti ensured FPs cruised to a comprehensive 8 wicket win in a fairly one sided encounter relocated to Sheddocksley due to Rubislaw unavailability. It not only ensured FPs produced their highest finish (4th) since returning to Grade 1 in 2010, but condemned Stonehaven to relegation to Grade 2. Despite lacking many 1st team regulars, FPs played with real purpose to restrict Stonehaven to 165 for 8, before easily knocking off the runs for the loss of 2 wickets with 8 overs to spare, Tenneti making 100 not out (14 x 4, 2×6), Vijapur 30 and McDonald 20 not out. Rahul Gopal had earlier produced a great spell of off spin with 3 for 50, Mike Campbell claimed 2 for 34, the extremely part-time off spin of skipper Geoff Morrison nipped in with 2 for 17 and Vijapur claimed the other wicket with 1 for 38.
With the majority of the 1st team regulars already on holiday expecting the season to be over and the 2nd XI being in a cup final, FPs were grateful to 3rd XI skipper Johnston and 3rd team regulars Gopal, Kiran and schoolboy Kingshuk stepping in to join Morrison, Vijapur, Tenneti, McDonald, Senthil, Campbell and Knudson in an unfamiliar looking side that contained only 2 frontline first team bowlers. On an uneven looking surface, FPs won the toss, and despite the bowling shortage, Morrison chose to field. It looked a good decision as Vijapur produced a brutal display, due to the uneven bounce, with openers Keith and Wilson doing well to add 54 for the opening wicket. Vijapur somehow not getting a wicket and off spinner Knudson finding big turn from the first over bowling 6 overs for 5.
Campbell replaced Knudson and kept the runs tight bowling 2 maidens, before switching ends to deliver another maiden. However, it was the introduction of off spinner Gopal that brought the breakthrough and it was a big wicket, Alex Keith unable to get on top of some big spinning deliveries earlier in the over, becoming frustrated and toe ending a dipping delivery to youngster Kingshuk who took a good catch at short mid wicket, Keith out for 34.
Wilson’s dogged resistance was ended by a beautifully flighted spinning delivery from Gopal for 22 as Stonehaven lost a 2nd wicket at 76, but Crozier was looking dangerous, the only batsman able to get on top of the slow bowling of Gopal, hitting a number of boundaries over the legside. Gopal whose offspin is of the slowest around, was proving perfect against all other batsmen however, as the slow pitch was allowing for it to grip and turn and he was proving a cause of real frustration for Stonehaven in what was proving his finest spell for the club. He grabbed his 3rd wicket when Kiran Bhanu’s huge hands clung onto a chance in the gully as Plummer went for 7. Campbell got rid of Mason for 12, bowling him before being replaced by Knudson. Knudson’s figures were wrecked by a change of ends as his over with the short boundary on the legside cost 11 and that plan was abandoned after 1 over, Vijapur returning. He soon had Crozier caught behind by Kingshuk for 36. The youngster switching places with Morrison who kept for the opening 30 overs. Stonehaven 141 for 5.
With Gopal’s 10th over going for 16 he was replaced but rather surprisingly it was by skipper Morrison’s off breaks, Gopal taking 3 for 50 in 10 overs. Morrison soon struck bowling J Crozier through the gate with a ball which turned alarmingly, again displaying the nature of the wicket. He then removed King with a low full toss that McDonald easily claimed at long on to claim 2 for 17, before Campbell claimed his 2nd wicket off the last ball of the innings, Gopal catching Devlin for 12.
Overall it had been a good bowling and fielding performance by FPs and with a couple of rain showers appearing to deaden the pitch meaning that the target of 166 appeared well within reach.
FPs chase however got of to a bad start as Morrison defended an innocuous delivery from Findlay but looked on in horror as the ball spun slowly back into the stumps and dislodged the leg bail. FPs 1 for 1. Having returned from holiday, leading run scorer Tenneti joined Vijapur and they combined to set the victory up with a stand of 106, Vijapur happy to play the supporting role to the more aggressive Tenneti. Having hit his 1st ball to the boundary, Tenneti continued in the same vein, scoring all round the wicket with 8 boundaries in his half century. Vijapur also played some nice shots down the ground, hitting 5 boundaries in a patient 30. In fact it was something of a surprise when 7th bowler used Plummer removed Vijapur with his 1st ball, Wilson claiming a slashing cut in the gully.
Alex Keith then thought he had new batsman McDonald out, but an early no ball call for over stepping saved the batsman. The dispirited Stonehaven attack, soon knew the game was up as McDonald hit some aggressive boundaries to push FPs towards victory. The only doubt was with McDonald on the charge, would Tenneti be able to get to 3 figures. McDonald graciously started to assist Tenneti farm the strike, even defending balls he’d have normally tried to hit for 6 as Tenneti moved to 90 hooking his 2nd six with only 16 needed for victory. Tenneti however, had no issues in the ‘nervous 90s’, moving to 95 with a four and a single late in the 36th over, before hitting the 1st ball of the 37th over for 4 and nudging the next ball for one to record his 1st century for the club and one he had threatened all season. He played out the rest of the over, before McDonald returned to type blasting a 2 and thrashing a four to complete the win and finish on a selfless 20 not out. Tenneti’s innings of exactly 100 not out contained 14 fours and 2 sixes.
It was a clinical performance from FPs especially with so many regulars missing and completed a good day for the club as the 2nd XI won the Reid Cup. It also ensured FPs finished in a very creditable 4th place. For Stonehaven to have fallen from title contenders in recent years to relegation now, however, shows nothing can be taken from granted and in 2014 FPs will need to show the same level of enthusiasm, application and skill if 2014 is to be an even more succesful season.
