FPs 1st XI eased to victory by 78 runs against Gordonians’ 2nd XI to retain the Fire Shield in a good workout ahead of the new season. Ryan Williams hit 88 and Arul Senthil made 83 as FPs made a formidable 251 All Out. Gordonians never really threatened that total are were bowled out for 173 despite an excellent 71 from Dyson. FPs top bowler was Roland Knudson with 3 for 30. Vijapur took 2 for 21, debutant Alex Keith chipped in with 2 late wickets (2-17) and Sajid Hameed bowled a fine spell claiming 2 for 24.
FPs lined up with skipper Morrison, Keith, Tenneti, Williams, Senthil, McDonald, Davey, Vijapur, Hameed, Sam Knudson and Roland Knudson. Morrison won the toss and decided to bat. Peerless took just 3 balls of the 2nd over to strike, Morrison playing over a short ball to fall for 1. Tenneti and Keith guided FPs to 27, but after a misunderstanding, Tenneti was run out for 11 and FPs were soon in the mire when Keith was caught off Peerless 2 balls later, also for 11.
This brought Williams and Senthil together and they shared an aggressive stand of 159, hitting the ball to all parts in 19 over stand. Both were dropped and took full advantage of the short boundaries, Williams hitting 6 maximums and Senthil five, Senthil particularly harsh on anything short. It was something of a surprise when Senthil fell when looking well set for a ton, out LBW to Sparky for 83. Williams continued his assault but his innings ended 12 short of a century when the impressive Pradeep bowled him via an inside edge. This was part of a clatter of wickets as 4 fell for 3 runs, McDonald miscuing Pradeep to cover, Vijapur falling LBW to Rohit and Hameed falling in exactly the same manner 1st ball.
Sam Knudson survived the hat-trick and he and Davey added 32 in quick time, both finding the boundary and running well, until Davey walked after edging Rohit to Dyson for 16. The innings ended when Sam Knudson was the 4th LBW victim for 11, Roland Knudson left 0 not out, FPs ending on 251 all out.
Overall, 251 represented a good score, but it was not ideal to be bowled out in just 37.2 overs and after the Senthil and Williams’ stand, a score of 300 had looked possible. Despite the collapse, FPs were still confident of winning when they came to bowl.
With Booth working away this season, Morrison was forced to take the gloves and Vijapur and Hameed shared the new ball. Vijapur was twice unlucky in his opening over with 2 tight LBW shouts turned down, but at the other end Hammed took just 2 balls of his FPs career to strike, clean bowling Karan for 1. Two balls later it was 2 for 2 as Tremlett fell in bizarre circumstances. Having been hurried by an inswinger, just squeezing it to silly point, he stood out of his ground rehearsing his shot and was easily run out by an alert McDonald who threw down the stumps. Gordonians were soon 20 for 4 as Hameed had Pandit LBW for 4 and Vijapur bowled Peria for 9. Pradeep made 7 before Alex Keith pouched a sharp chance at slip to give Vijapur a second victim.
Just when it was looking like it could be a short 2nd innings, Dyson was joined by Brown and they added 77 in good time, Dyson making a stylish 50, with Brown offering good support. Williams was unlucky with his 1st delivery as Dyson was dropped by Keith at slip and then twice in the same over Sam Knudson got his fingertips to half chances, firstly diving high to his left and then unable to claim a tough chance above his head.
When FPs turned to veteran spinner Knudson, he soon struck, Dyson (71) top edging a sweep to short fine leg where Tenneti took a good catch. Rohit blasted him for 2 sixes but Knudson soon had his revenge, as Rohit was LBW sweeping. Keith game on for a brief spell and soon removed Brown, caught at the 3rd attempt at slip by the reliable Senthil. The game was soon all over as Knudson claimed a 3rd victim, Davey easily catching Peerless for 3 at cover, before Keith clean bowled Pettit for 2, Gordonians all out for 173.
Overall, it was a good workout for both sides and the game was played in a great spirit. FPs start next week at Inverurie, and after 2 draws last season it is likely to be another tough game.
