Keith made another 50 to set the platform
Karan Anand struck his 2nd ton of the season as FPs racked up 316 for 6 before bowling out a young Mannofield team for 130 for a 186 run win. Anand was imperious as he notched his century in just 59 balls, his 2nd fiftty taking just 25 balls. It was not the usual brutal effort, a far more fluent affair with 9 fours and 4 sixes. Alex Keith also hit a half century and Harry Mapplebeck 30 not out as he and Anand shared 121 unbeaten for the 7th wicket in 13 overs. Leading wicket taker Callum Herd then claimed 4 victims (4/27) and was well supported by Fraser Proud (2/21) and John Thomson (2/19).
After some poor weather, FPs were happy to be back playing an when Swiergon called correctly he had no hesitation in batting. They lined up Keith, Morrison, Proud, Swiergon, Anand, Herd, Challa, Mapplebeck, Prash, Clelland and Thomson. Morrison was back at the top of the order and was joined by Keith. They soon set about building a solid foundation in a stand of 74 dominated by Keith who looked well set for a big score, but was outdone by a shooter from Perera for 54 (8×4). New man Proud looked in fine form and he scored rather more freely than Morrison in a rapid 36 (2×4, 1×6) but fell with the score on 129 caught off a Hague full toss.
Proud made runs and took 2 wickets
Morrison while scratchy had looked untroubled in reaching 22, but a full toss did for him also, Perviaz serving up a free hit, that Morrison hit straight to mid off. This brought Swiergon and Anand together and they scored rapidly, Swiergon dispatching 4 balls in an over to the fence, but he was also done by a full toss for 26, the score 164 for 4.
Herd came and went for 4 as Perviaz claimed a 3rd victim and he had a 4th when Challa was bowled aiming something big to fall for 9. It was to be the last success for Mannofield as Anand got into his groove, scoring all round the wicket with Mapplebeck regularly pushing a single to hand him the strike. Anand even managed a rare 3 as FPs took full control and it was really no surprise as he completed his century in just 59 balls.
He and Mapplebeck hit out late on as FPs passed 300 and ensured the game was all over at the tea break, only Perviaz escaping the carnage with 4 for 38.
Prash took the new ball and he and Proud soon had Mannofield well behind the rate. Prash was unlucky as a couple of catches went down including a diving effort from Morrison to grant Indy a life, which did rather prolong the game. Proud did have more luck having Alwattage and K Yathagoda caught by Clelland and Prash for 4 and 0 respectively.
Captain Indy and Perera then did frustrate FPs to drinks in adding 83, Swiergon mixing up his bowlers, the improbable figure of Morrison nearly having Indy caught on the boundary 1st ball, but it landing just short of the onrushing Anand. Where the part time offspinner failed, 1st choice spinner Herd was successful as he tore through Mannofield with 4 wickets in quick time after Thomson had bowled Perera for a battling 17.
Herd’s 1st victim was Indy who had made an excellent 64, but was outfoxed by Herd and lobbed a catch back to the grateful bowler. Herd soon bowled Hague for a duck and Thomson had Perviaz excellently stumped by Clelland for 2.
Skipper Swiergon produced the catch of the day, a one handed grab at short mid wicket off Herd to remove Khalid and he brought himself and instantly comprehensively bowled Alwattage for 2. The 9th wicket was a comedy run out as while looking to run an overthrow, Challa superbly gathered and threw the stumps down, a bemused Bandara out for 1. Herd finished things with a 4th wicket as he clean bowled R Bandara for 9.
It was a comprehensive win against a Mannofield side who were always up against it. The bowling figures were Prash 7-1-14-0, Proud 6-0-21-2, Mapplebeck 4-0-8-0, Challa 3-0-14-0, Morrison 2-0-12-0, Herd 9.1-0-27-4, Thomson 5-0-19-2, Swiergon 3-0-11-1. FPs know far tougher games await and next weekend face Bon Accord and then Huntly in the CS Trophy.
8848 Man of the Match
Another century – it is Karan for his unbeaten 109.
8848 Champagne Moment
Karan’s 3 was a strong contender, but the skipper’s one hand grab takes it.
The scorecard does not too accurately reflect the match, but we are at the mercy of the home team that submitted the below…
Scorecard Mannofield v AGSFPs
