Fraser Proud made his maiden FPs 50
FPs bounced back impressively from their disastrous batting display on Saturday to easily see off Huntly in the CS Challenge Trophy by 9 wickets. Harry Mapplebeck set the tone claiming 5 for 19 from his 8 overs as Huntly were bundled out for just 114. It was never going to be enough as FPs took just 18 overs to knock off the runs for just the loss of Arul Senthil (10), Fraser Proud making a classy 63 not out and Geoff Morrison 32 not out in an unbroken stand of 69.
FPs made 3 changes from Saturday with Karan Anand and Arul Senthil coming in for Elia Gubbala and Callum Herd. FPs lining up Senthil, Proud, Morrison, Swiergon (c), Anand, Nattrass, Mapplebeck, Prash, Clelland, Knudson, Thomson. Swiergon won the toss again and decided to field. It looked a good choice as both new ball bowlers struck early. First Mapplebeck had Lentz (0) fending off to short cover where Proud pouched the catch and Prash followed up to clean bowl Mann for 10.
New bowler Anand had instant success bowling Stewart for a duck as Huntly slid to 20 for 3. Clark and Whyte repaired some of the damage, but when Knudson held back an off break, Clark was completely outfoxed and Clelland completed a smart stumping for 27. It was 58 for 5 straight after drinks as Anand struck again bowling Whyte for 11.
Huntly then consolidated to move to 81 as C Mann and Morrison stuck in, but Mapplebeck returned to claim his 2nd wicket, Mann edging to Clelland for 13. Mapplebeck was a bit sharp for Allan and Reid and they were both clean bowled for 1 as Huntly were reduced to 94 for 8. They passed the 100 mark but Mapplebeck got his 5th with a full ball that had Coffee LBW for 10.
FPs had been excellent in the field through out, 5 times hitting the stumps directly for attempted run outs and the last wicket was a run out. An ambitious single attempted to Morrison at mid wicket who easily collected and threw to Clelland to remove the bails, Morrison the last man out, top scoring with 31.
It was a fine fielding and bowling effort with all bowlers contributing – Mapplebeck 8-3-18-5, Prash 5-2-9-1, Anand 8-2-25-2, Knudson 7-0-32-1, Proud 5-0-22-0 and Thomson 1.4-0-3-0.
After Saturday’s travails Senthil and Proud were sent out to open and they started well, battering 46 in the opening 6 overs, Proud the main aggressor with 3 fours and a six as FPs looked to press home the advantage. Clark had been flayed for 26 runs in his 3 overs but his replacement Mearns removed Senthil with his 1st delivery, the batsman out for 10 miscuing to cover.
Geoff Morrison came in at 3 and following a 1st baller on Sunday started nervously but started to hit some in the middle as Proud continued to play fluently. The pair were able to push and run regularly as they kept the score moving and managed to turns ones into twos as FPs closed in on victory. Morrison hit 3 fours in one over that went for 15 and Proud passed 50 from 45 balls with some more good running. The batsmen were then content to push the ball about to ensure red inkers as FPs completed a comprehensive victory early in the 19th over. Proud finished on 63 not out from 58 balls (8×4, 1×6) and Morrison 32 not from 38 (3×4).
Overall it was a good recovery from Saturday’s defeat and keeps FPs interest alive in the competition, where next up they face a tough trip to Strathmore of the Strathmore Union at Forfar. In the immediate future, the next game is a tough encounter against Stoneywood Dyce at Rubislaw on league duty. It must also be added that the game was one of the more enjoyable with Huntly playing in an excellent spirit and playing positively right up to the end.
8848 Man of the Match
Proud’s unbeaten 63 is just edged out by Mapplebeck’s 5 for.
Champagne Moment
Proud’s straight drive all along the carpet was a beautiful shot.
