Knudson Claimed a hat-trick to secure the win
Roland Knudson (3/18) claimed a hat trick to finish the game as FPs recorded a thumping 121 run win at Stoneywood Dyce. Having trapped Rayner LBW, he bowled Kennard with a sharp off-break, before having Freeman stumped 1st ball at the 2nd attempt by Morrison, the batsmen rather surprisingly given the veteran off-spinner the charge. It capped off a good all round deisplay by FPs who after a sluggish start in the field, recovered well on the back of Prash Poosappadi’s (2/24) best spell so far for FPs and the ever consistent Karan Anand’s 4 for 45. Anand had earlier hit an impressive 56 out of FPs 255 all out, Alex Keith making 41, Eddie Steinson 37, Harry Mapplebeck 37 not out and Connor McKinney 34. The total always looked way of out reach for the Peoples Park club despite an excellent 48 from Lambley.
FPs made 1 change from last Saturday, Sam Knudson winning selection on the back of his 98 for the 2nd XI, replacing Elia Gubbala as FPs lined up Keith, Morrison (w), Steinson, Swiergon, McKinney, Anand, Sam Knudson, Mapplebeck, Poosappadi, Roland Knudson and Thomson. FPs again won the toss and chose to bat on a dry looking surface hoping to get a score of around 250 on the board. Morrison and Keith made quick progress to 18 before Morrison’s poor form continued, bowled by a Williams outswinger for a solitary boundary. New man Steinson soon settled into his stride and he and Keith looked at ease in adding 56 until Keith walked having gloved Jack Lambley to keeper MacLaren to fall for a well played 41 (9×4).
Swiergon struggled to find his rhythm and FPs lost both their skipper (4) and Stenson (37)(5×4, 1×6) in quick succession to Williams, Swiergon LBW and Steinson bowled as Williams recorded figures of 3 for 64 in his 10 overs. Connor McKinney and Karan Anand then came together to add exactly 100 in 13 overs in contrasting styles. Anand hitting some monstrous blows in his 56 (5×4, 4×6) before being extremely well caught by Davidson on the boundary off Squire’s slow left arm. Palaniappan removed McKinney as on 34 (5×4) he aimed a big bit but got a leading edge and was caught and bowled. Sam Knudson also fell for 1 to Palaniappan as FPs stumbled somewhat to 209 for 7.
Mapplebeck and Poosappadi regrouped somewhat and added 38 mainly from Mapplebeck’s bat before Prash was stumped for 7 off Palaniappan. Roland Knudson fell for a duck late on to Squire, Freeman easily catching him at point and off the 3rd last ball Thomson was run out trying to get Mapplebeck back on strike. Mapplebeck ending on 37 not out (2×4, 2×6) and FPs on a very competitive 255 all out. For Stoneywood Dyce the bowling was mixed Williams 10-1-64-3, Kennard 3-0-16-0, Jack Lambley 7.4-0-32-1, Freeman 5-0-49-0, Rayner 2-0-27-0, Squire 10-0-36-3 and Palaniappan 9-0-25-2.
FPs knew that scoreboard pressure would be key and got off to a great start as after the first ball went for 5 wides, Lister called Lambley for an inexplicable single which was never on and despite Poosappadi throwing a bit wide, Morrison had all the time in the world to wander over and remove the bails. It should have been better for FPs but Swiergon could not claim a chance in the gully and Lambley survived. He took full advantage as Stoneywood raced onto 68 in the 12th over. It took a change of bowling to change things as Poosappadi replace a slightly off colour Thomson and had Lambley superbly caught by McKinney diving forward at short cover for a fine 48. He soon had a second victim, Squire walking after a nick down the legside was well reeled in by Morrison for 4, Stoneywood Dyce 81 for 3 in 15 overs.
MacLaren was batting well and Jack Lambley joined him but they fell in successive balls, MacLaren well caught by Keith running back at mid off and Lambley castled by a fine Anand delivery which cut back and hit leg stump, Stoneywood Dyce suddenly reeling at 100 for 5. Williams did superbly to keep out the hat trick ball as drinks were taken.
The break did not stop the FPs momentum as Davidson was nonchalantly caught one handed by Anand off his own bowling for 9, a fierce drive being palmed up and gobbled up at the 2nd attempt by the big all rounder. The writing was now on the wall and Williams and skipper Rayner battled to raise Stoneywood to 132 when Williams sliced Anand to point for 10 as Anand claimed a 4th victim to conclude his 10 over spell taking 4 for 45.
One over later it was all over as Roland Knudson showed the transfer window returning Callum Herd he still is keen to be the number one spinner as he claimed a dramatic hat trick. Having struggled to find his line and length he suddenly found his mark having Rayner plumb LBW sweeping for 15. Next ball Kennard was beaten all end us by a sharp off break setting the scene for a chance to secure the match with a hat trick. With all the fielders round the bat, Freeman decided to give Knudson the charge, bur Knudson’s bowled a huge off break that spun past leg stump. Morrison initially seemed to have missed the chance but recovered well to gather and break the wicket with Freeman a long way out to cue wild celebrations to greet the excellent achievement by Knudson.
For FPs the bowlers stuck to their task well and FPs improved as the innings went on. Mapplebeck 5-1-22-0, Thomson 3-0-24-0, Anand 10-2-45-4, Poosappadi 5-0-24-2 Roland Knudson 4-0-18-3.
It means FPs have now won 5 league games from 5 but face league favourites Bon Accord next week at the Links who boast the same record and have been in excellent form this season. Next Sunday they also face a tricky cup tie against Grampian.
Man of the Match
Despite the hat trick from Knudson, for his excellent half century and 4 wickets Karan Anand once again gets the nod.
Champagne moment
The hat-trick for Knudson and celebration afterwards. Champagne cricket….
