FP’s moved swiftly past Mannofield to keep their title hopes alive on a sunny day at Rubislaw
After the highs of FP’s win against Bon Accord last weekend they knew that if they were to push Bon Accord all the way they will have to maintain their winning streak.
FP’s made a few changes due to post-match commitments and lined up Keith/Clelland/Steinson/Swiergon/Davey/Anand/Senthil/Herd/Mapplebeck/Knudson Sr/Thomson.
Losing the toss FP’s were asked to bowl in what looked to be good bowling conditions. Mannofield lined up with the experienced Indy and Horner along with statesman Cameron and a brood of Mannofield’s youth. Mapplebeck opened the bowling from the pavilion end and had the wicket of Indy for 4 bowled middle stump playing the shot of a man who did not fancy batting 45 overs.
Cameron joined Shivakumar at the crease to a rapturous applause from the ex-Mannofield protégé Herd. Mapplebeck continued to plug away making Shivakumar look like an out of form Michal Nattrass , after deciding the pull was not the shot for him he duly obliged and donated his off stump to the cause, Mapplebeck claiming the wicket. Meanwhile Thomson was bowling good areas with little reward from the grandstand end.
Minor counties spinner Horner was now looking to steady the ship and push Mannofield into double figures playing some quality shots, unfortunately for Mannofield he was bowled by a beauty from veteran spinner Knudson, bowling Horner through the gate and removing his middle stump in the process. A.Haste was soon to follow superbly taken at first slip by Anand who was doing his best elevator impression. D. Mians followed soon for 4 bowled Knudson and FP’s started to wonder if Knudson would join his son in the Grades team of the year.
G. Johnstone joined Cameron at the crease and with Cameron looking to bat out for a draw unaware of the win/lose nature of Grades cricket, Johnstone decided to swing the willow and played some top quality shots before he was well held off the bowling of Mapplebeck for 19.
Knudson, keen to let the youth in the team participate, relinquished his bowling duties and a very hungover Herd began what some have called at FP’s “a touch of the daft punks” spell, with all the F&G he could muster he swiftly cleaned up the tail, bowling R.Tonge for 0 before having linchpin Cameron LBW for 13 and J.Horner for 2. Anand finishing the Mannofield innings bowling K.Yayhagron for 3.
Mannofield slumped to 76 all out, Mapplebeck returning figures of 8-5-8-3, Knudson Sr 6-1-8-3, Anand 9-2-25-1
With the minimalist total Swiergon mixed up the batting order and sent Davey in with Keith, both building a good foundation before Davey was bowled by Yathgoda for 9. Steinson joined Keith at the crease and both batsmen kept the good ball at bay and dispatched the bad ones, chasing the total of 76 for the loss of one wicket in just 11 overs.
Mannofield offered no real resistance during the day’s play but it was good to see them giving lots of youngsters the chance to play in competitive win/lose cricket.
MOM is Harry Mapplebeck for his opening Morkel’esk spell.
Next week FP’s will take on a very strong Inverurie side looking to put there lose at Rubislaw earlier in the season behind them and prevent FP’s from keeping pace with the chasing pack.
