Steinson made an important 43
FPs held their nerve to record another victory, this time against Stoneywood Dyce. A strong fielding display and a disciplined effort with the ball meant FPs were able to restrict Stoneywood to 167 for 7 in their 45 overs and despite a less than brilliant batting display FPs eased home by 2 wickets in a fairly forgettable encounter, Eddie Steinson making an important 43.
FPs made a number of changes and lined up Keith, Morrison, Steinson, McKinney, Anand, D’Costa, Wilkie, Mapplebeck, Clelland, Prash and Thomson. Anand captained the side in Swiergon’s absence and chose to field on winni ng the toss. Stoneywood Dyce made slow progress and had a lucky escape when the square leg umpire missed a stumping, more an attention lapse than anything more serious. Reid did fall LBW to Thomson for 10 and the 2nd wicket did arrive via stumping, D’Costa’s off breaks deceiving Lambley for a well played 40.
Rayner fell for 8 caught at mid on by Prash ahead of a rather unfortunate incident when Prash was removed from the attack for bowling 2 waist high full tosses, the 2nd one appearing extremely harsh. The same then happened to Davidson in the 2nd innings in his 1st over and given neither bowler did it intentionally, were of no danger to the batsman, there has to be a question if perhaps at this level common sense could be applied?
Stoneywood plodded on with only really Louw showing intent, making a useful 43 before the returning Mapplebeck had him caught by McKinney at long on. Davidson and Lambley showed good intent running hard, but Davidson went for 13 run out by D’Costa’s direct hit. Lambley went LBW for 13 as Mapplebeck claimed a 3rd victim, before the innings closed on 167 for 7.
The bowling figures made interesting reading with Prash and Steinson warned out of the attack. Mapplebeck 10-1-43-2, Prash 5.4-2-20-0, Thomson 10-0-32-2, Anand 10-0-31-1, D’Costa 5-0-14-1, Steinson 0.4-0-2-0, Keith 0.4-0-5-0 and Wilkie 4-0-19-0.
FPs chase started poorly as Keith was given caught at point for 2 off Lambley and then Morrison hit a long hop straight up where Reid caught him for a duck. Steinson and McKinney then combined to add 78 with minimum fuss, before both fell in quick succession, Steinson (43) castled by MacLean and McKinney (36) LBW to Rayner.
Anand make a quickfire 29 before Palaninathan had him caught by Davidson at long on. FPs batsmen continued to get in and out as D’Costa (13) and Wilkie (18) fell to Palaninthan and Mapplebeck was LBW to Louw for 1. FPs were now in a spot of bother needing 11 with 2 wickets standing. Clelland cracked a 4, but Prash had a lucky escape as Davidson’s forgettable day continued as he missed a fairly routine catch at mid wicket. Prash took heart from this and struck the winning runs as FPs sneaked home.
Next up for FPs in Knightriders away, where they will be without a number of key players, but will look to keep up some good form ahead of the cup final in a few weeks.
Man of the Match
There was no real standouts in a team effort, By Steinson edges it for his important 43.
Champagne Moment
D’Costa’s pick up and direct hit to run out Davidson.
