Mapplebeck produced a fine all round display
Harry Mapplebeck was the FPs hero as he top scored with 36 and claimed 3 for 18 as FPs won a tight contest at Ellon by 3 runs. Having been dismissed for an under par 144 on a challenging wicket, FPs bowled and fielded superbly to turn the tables and claim a vital win and move back up to 2nd in the league. Karan Anand also took 3 wickets including bowling Middleton to seal the match, Ellon perhaps regretting turning down a number of singles as the match reached it’s conclusion.
FPs lost the toss and were asked to bat and lined up Keith, Morrison, Senthil, Swiergon, Herd, Anand, Mapplebeck, Challa, Clelland, Prash and Thomson. They were soon 1 down as Morrison was bowled by Greenfield, but Keith and Senthil batted well in a 36 run stand when Senthil was bowled for 22 by Greenfield. Skipper Swiergon hit 2 successive boundaries but was caught at point next ball for 9 off Barrett and when Keith was bowled by a Webb daisy cutter, FPs were 4 down for 54. Keith’s 50 balls for 17 showing that it was hard to get the pace of the pitch.
Herd smashed a 6 but made just 9, falling to a wide delivery by Webb. Anand and Mapplebeck then did combine to lift FPs, both surviving easy catching opportunities, Ellon dropping a double figure number of chances. Mapplebeck had just 5 when he was dropped by Barrett and he took advantage in making a vital 36. Anand could not get going and holed out for 22, while Challa departed for a duck, a smart catch by Middleton. Clelland was run out for 8 and Thomson fell to Greenfield as FPs subsided to 144 all out.
Ellon made a fast start racing to 20, but Mapplebeck produced a searing leg stump yorker to dispatch Webb’s leg stump. Veldsman followed in the next over, walking for a thin edge to Clelland off Prash for 12. Prash struack again, Anand catching Barrett at slip for 2 and he had a 3rd when Addy was LBW on the back foot for 3. Ellon struggling at 43 for 4.
Borstlap was batting well and had made a rapid 29, but Anand’s 1st ball clean bowled him. He struck again as Wolridge-Gordon was LBW for 2 and Ellon were 73 for 6. FPs looked to be in control, but a fantastic innings from Greenfield (37) swung the game back towards Ellon, but Challa joined the attack and after 3 wides, got his 4th ball spot on to bowl Greenfield.
Ellon now needed 32 to win with 2 wickets left and Mapplebeck returned and quickly dispatched both J Veldsman and Wade, castling both with quick yorkers. FPs looked to have the game in hand now, but Middleton and Fraser had other ideas and began to knock off the remaining 21 runs for victory, Middleton looking to take the strike, despite Fraser looking very secure. They were within one hit of victory, having turned down numerous singles when the pressure told and Anand returned to castle for a determined 16 as FPs squeezed home.
It had been an excellent recovery from FPs, with only one tough chance dropped and very determined fielding effort. The game was played in an excellent spirit with very fair umpiring throughout, despite how close the game became.
8848 Man of the Match
Harry Mapplebeck for a mature innings and a fiery spell of fast bowling.
8848 Champagne Moment
Any one of Mapplebeck’s 3 dismissals.
