FPs collapsed to a disastrous 6 wicket defeat as they were bowled out for just 33 at a barely playable Groats Road. On the worst surface that some players will ever play on, and with long grass and uneven bounce, it was always likely that whoever won the toss would win. However, that was hardly an excuse for making just 33 in 31 arduous overs. FPs at least did pick up 4 points as Sajid Hameed produced a decent spell with 2 wickets, despite being forced to come off a shortened run due to conditions Gary Stuart also bowled well and Kieran Whyte picked up a wicket, but overall it was grim fare.
With injuries mounting up and some players unavailable, FPs still had plenty to choose from and lined up Morrison, Keith, Tenneti, Swiergon, Senthil, McDonald, Davey, Whyte, Knudson, Hameed, Stuart. Morrison as always lost the toss and FPs were asked to bat. The game was only 3 overs old when Morrison as bowled by Maniyan for a duck when the ball did not get above ankle height. Keith and Swiergon both fell in the same manner for 4 and 2 respectively, Keith getting a simply ridiculous short of a length delivery which shot straight along the ground.
No boundaries were hit in the entire match and FPs only managed on 2 occasions to score more than a single as they limped along at 1 an over. The wickets continued to tumble as Senthil was given out LBW to a ball that appeared to have little going for it, perhaps a victim of the nearly incessant appealing every ball. There was no need to keep appealing as FPs continued to lose wickets, McDonald slicing to gully to fall for a duck. Davey was bowled by a ball that barely bounced also for a duck. Whyte walked having edged a ball that bounced alarmingly from a good length also for a duck and it was 25 for 8, when Tenneti’s vigil ended on 7 driving to cover.
Hameed at least went down swinging with 5, before Knudson was given LBW for 0 – FPs all out for 33, about 50 light of a winning score. Knigtriders bowled well, bowling straight and allowing the pitch to do the rest, Somu with 5 for 11 the most succesful.
FPs did reduce Knightriders to 14 for 3 as Hameed took 2 in 2 balls, Tenneti catching Nishad for 2 and bowling Prem for a golden duck. Stuart had Rowan well caught by Whyte for 3 and Whyte grabbed a late wicket when he bowled Shiva for 5, but surprisingly enough 33 was easily chased down despite FPs ultra attacking fields.
Overall, it was a day to forget and did raise wider questions on why the Grades would ever accept Groats Road as a venue, it is important that no other good venues are lost as you wont encourage anyone to play cricket if these are the facilities on offer – perhaps this is what the Council wants? It is simply not fit for cricket, the pitch is not safe, the outfield is long and any place where no boundaries are hit and bowlers have to shorten their runups have to be questioned. All credit to Knigtriders for some very accurate bowling, although less appealing would make for a more enjoyable game. FPs need to rediscover some aggression with the bat and bounce back in a tough game next week away to Cults, where Ian Sutherland will at least produce a cricket pitch and not a random mat in a field. On Sunday FPs also travel to Fraserburgh in the Small Clubs cup where they will likely mix their team up quite considerably.
