Karan Anand’s all round efforts were not quite enough
FPs Succumbed to there first defeat of the league season in a low score if affair at the Links. With the sun shining and the boundary looking bigger then 30m, the venue was set for what the press had dubbed ‘the clash of the titans’
FPs were short of many regulars, with Morrison, Herd, Sam Knudson, Davey and D’Costa all unavailable. It meant FPs lined up Keith, Senthil, Swiergon (c), Anand, Nattrass, McDonald, Mapplebeck, Clelland (w), Hameed, Roland Knudson, Thomson. Winning the toss Swiergon elected to bowl and his reward was so nearly the wicket of Awan if it had not had spilled through the hands of midwicket, alas the wicket of S.Ahmed bowled by Mapplebeck for 6 fell soon after. One became 2 when Anand had Mirza caught in the deep by Mapplebeck. Awan and M.Ahmed rebuilt before Awan succumbed to what looked to be a nasty injury, and after a short delay and total lack of contempt for the RICE sports injury methodology play continued with Awan clearly in pain. M.Ahmed was the next man to fall run-out brilliantly by Hameed with one stump to aim at trying to nick a single to point. Awan was next to fall for 30 well caught by Anand off the bowling of Hameed.
Sood was out for a duck, but Win and P.Gopinathan rallied before P.Gopinathan was bowled by Knudson Sr for 15, Win and Malik both went edging behind and walking off the bowling of Anand leaving Bons tail end to collect as many runs as they could whilst veteran spinner Knudson was tying them in knots. Bon finished on 109 all out. Anand finishing with 10-1-36-3, Knudson Sr with 5.3-0-11-3.
With a stick or twist low score FPs knew the total would not be an easy one especially with Bons knowledge of the links.
With full time opener Morrison out of the frame Senthil was promoted to open with Keith but it was himself who was caught at point for 5 off the bowling of Malik. Swiergon and Senthil looked to rebuild and put on 27 for the 2nd wicket before Senthil sliced one to wide midwicket and Swiergon was soon following him adjudged LBW to Malik. Bons saw an in and some tight bowling saw FP’s runs dry up, Anand was finding his feet but the batsmen surround him were not, McDonald stumped well by Win off a wide down the leg side off the bowling of Sood. Nattrass was dropped at close point, the fielder deciding to chest the ball rather then catch it this time, alas Nattrass’ time at the crease was short out LBW for 2 too Sood who was ripping through the FP’s innings. Mapplebeck was out LBW for a duck trying to flick a full-toss down leg struck infront of all three.
Hameed played with his natural flair but was caught for 1 off the bowling of Mirza. Clelland was caught and bowled by Sood for 0 and suddenly Anand’s partners were running out and the pendulum had swung, backed up by Knudson making full use of his bat and shiny new red grip Anand went on the attack smashing Awan for 10 to take the score to 90. Sadly Anand was out LBW trying to take a single and that meanst FPs hope of victory were fading, Knudson caught next over at midwicket by Awan off the bowling of Sood closing the FP’s innings on 90 AO and A.Sood finishing up with 5-13.
A bad day at the office for FP’s who failed to show up with the bat chaseing a low but tricky total, Fielding was to a good standard but five dropped catches and 23 extras inc 17 wides ( Bons second highest scorer ) left a bitter taste in the players mouths.
Mentions go to Karan Anand for his 39 and 3/36 and Knudson Sr for his 3/11 , a truly unplayable spell from the spinner. Next week FPs look to bounce back to winning ways with a tough trip to promoted Kemnay Kintore
