FPs hopes of retaining the title took a potentially fatal blow as they lost by 7 wickets to title rivals Bon Accord. Bon Accord were deserved victors, performing better with both bat and ball throughout the match. Only skipper Rob Swiergon with 67 made a telling contribution to FPs cause as they posted an under par 226 all out. Bon Accord replied aggressively knocking off the target with 7 overs to spare.
FPs won the toss at a sunny Rubislaw and lined up Keith, Steinson, Gubbala, Swiergon (c), Anand, Senthil, Morrison (w), Poosappadi, Haider, Knudson and Thomson. FPs chose to bat and Steinso replaced the failing Morrison at the top and he and Keith added 52 for the 1st wicket, when Steinson was adjudged LBW to Malik, a pre-cursor to Steinson’s ongoing flirtation with debates on the rights or wrongs of LBW decisions. Gubbala did well at 3 and made 32 before also being LBW this time to Sood. Keith made a good looking 41 before being caught and bowled by Bashir as FPs slipped to 137 for 3. It was soon 4 as Anand was given out caught at the wicket off Sood for a duck, a huge blow.
Captain Swiergon found good support from Senthil who made 13 before becoming the 3rd LBW. Morrison made just 2, bowled by Malik, but Prash stuck in with Swiergon who scored all round the wicket to pass 50. Prash fell for 17 and FPs fell further when Swiergon holed out for a well played 67 as FPs subsided to 222 for 8. Haider 3 and Knudson 2 fell quickly as FPs were all out 226.
Needing quick wickets to get back in the contest, FPs started badly as Mirza battered 18 off the 1st over from Anand. In fact FPs lacked any penetration with Mapplebeck away fighting for his country and FPs left longing for a Martin Worsley return. Mirza and Bashir added 74 in good time as FPs shuffled their pack and eventually came up with the answer, a Knudson full toss being brilliantly caught at long on by Haider, Mirza departing for 46 after FPs appeal was successfully upheld.
Win came in at 3 and played correctly and played some fine shots, albeit with a couple of close calls, Morrison insistent he had superbly stumped him down the legside off Thomson, but the square leg umpired thought otherwise. Morrison was denied again when a perfect Haider leg break, appeared to find Win’s edge but again FPs were disapointed. With the game all but up, Swiergon struck to have Bashir well caught at mid wicket by Senthil for a very fine 61, to reduce Bons to 141 for 2.
Steinson was giving his all and had two very strong LBW appeals turned down, much to his disapointment. FPs eventually did get a 3rd wicket Prash bowling Ahmed for 36. Gopwathan stayed with Win who finished on 59 to see Bon Accord to a deserved victory.
FPs tried everything they could using 9 bowlers but ultimately could not get the wickets they need and it may now be that FPs have to concentrate on the cup. Before Grampian next Saturday, FPs face a very tough 2020 cup quarter final on Tuesday against Knightriders. They will then turn their attention to Grampian where they will be without many players due to Swiergon’s stag weekend and other commitments.
Bowling figures, Anand 8-1-42-0, Prash 6-0-37-1, Steinson 7-0-31-0, Knudson 5-0-30-1, Haider 2-0-24-0, Thomson 4-1-15-0, Swiergon 2-0-16-1, Gubbala 2-0-13-0 and Senthil 1-0-5-0.
Man of the Match
For FPs its Swiergon for his runs.
Champagne moment
Haider’s boundary catch.
