FPs slid to a 5 wicket defeat at Cults as Saraswat hammered 98 after FPs had been bowled out for 157. Vishal Desai claimed 3 for 43 after FPs had struggled on a damp pitch, only Morrison (32), Whyte (25) and Davey (22) making tangible contributions. FPs did reduce Cults to 41 for 3, but were unable to stop Saraswat clubbing 98 despite their best efforts and the 7 bowlers used.
FPs had 25 players unavailable this weekend due to injuries, weddings and holidays so were forced into several changes, Mapplebeck returning from injury, Desai stepping up from the 3rd team and Sam Knudson also back in the side. FPs lined up with Morrison, Swiergon, Tenneti, Davey, McDonald, Whyte, Mapplebeck, Desai, Roland Knudson, Sam Knudson and Sajid Hameed. As normal Morrison lost the toss and FPs batted on a damp and somewhat 2 paced pitch.
Looking for an improvement on 34 not out, Morrison smashed 12 off 3 balls in the opening over, sensing Forbes over point for a huge six and hammering him down to long leg for 4. Swiergon added 2 boundaries and FPs were rattling along. However, Forbes found his line and Swiergon was LBW for 8 to a ball that cut back and FPs were 21 for 1. They then lost star batsman Tenneti for a duck, backing up too far to be run out.
Morrison and Davey set about rebuilding the innings and added 34 with minimal fuss, Davey advancing to Anderson to hit 3 firm boundaries. However, he fell for 22, charging Anderson and getting bowled. McDonald smashed his 2nd ball miles for 6 and cracked two boundaries but fell for 16 in a quick stay. It was 85 for 5 and disaster for FPs soon after when skipper Morrison ran himself out going for a tight 2, a good throw finding him short of his ground for 32.
Amman then bowled Mapplebeck and FPs were in deep trouble at 91 for 6. Whyte and Desai then combined to add 25, but just when they looked like they would push FPs to a good score, Whyte was bowled by Anderson for 25 (2×4, 1×6). Desai was then caught for a patient 18, and after Sam Knudson was run out backing up to far for 13, Roland Knudson was last out, caught at mid off for 9 off Forbes. FPs all out for 157.
It was a score probably 40 short of par with the short boundaries, and a number of players looked in good nick but could not make telling contributions.
FPs needed early wickets and Hameed and Desai bowled with great control, Desai unlucky with 2 very strong LBW shouts, his left arm deliveries straightening beautifully, to cause the batsmen real issues. Dougie Anderson was as surprised as FPs to survive a seemingly plumb LBW but rather sportingly chipped his next ball to Harry Mapplebeck to fall for 4. Desai quickly did for Morrison winning an LBW decision to remove him for 1, Cults 19 for 2 in 12 overs. After a very good opening spell of 7 overs for 14, Hameed was replaced by Whyte as Desai continued at the pavilion end.
Desai had a 3rd wicket as dangerman was setup superbly with an inswinger to be LBW for 13, Cults 41 for 3. There was no stopping Saraswat at the other end who hit 4 maximums in reaching 50. He lost partner Amman 1st ball after the drinks break, Roland Knudson turning one sharply to bowl Amman for 15, Cults now 75 for 4. Despite FPs best efforts they just could not then get Saraswat or Bode out as they added 82 mainly from Saraswat’s bat as FPs tried Mapplebeck, Sam Knudson and Whyte before reverting back to Desai. With Saraswat looking well set for a ton, his checking on what he needed to get to 100 seemed to break his concentration as the returning Hameed bowled him with an inswinger for a fantastic 98. Swiergon was brought on for some leg spin with the scores level as Cults closed on a 5 wicket win.
Overall, FPs bowled too many bad balls after a tight start but Saraswat batted brilliantly. For FPs the bowling figures were Hameed 8-3-19-1, Desai 11-3-43-3, Whyte 5-0-28-0, Roland Knudson 5-0-21-1, Mapplebeck 2-0-25-0, Sam Knudson 2-0-13-0 and Swiergon 5 balls for 1. FPs need to be a bit more clinical with the bat and having 3 run outs did not help their cause, but must also bowl with more discipline in the manner that Hameed and Desai did. FPs only get a few hours of a break before travelling to Fraserburgh for the Small Clubs Cup on Sunday. FPs will mix up their side with 14 year old Hedge making a deserved start, as well as Whiteley, Challa and Thangamani getting an opportunity in the 1st team. FPs will be keen to try to get a victory, although will be using the match as a chance to experiment with some different options.
