Skipper Rob Swiergon made a good start to FPs league campaign with a fantastic 71 not out as his side chased down Crescent’s 217 for 6 with 13 balls to spare. Needing 103 in the last 12 overs and 86 from the last 10, FPs seemed to be struggling but they cantered home as Swiergon launched into a late attack on the Crescent attack as first he and Conner McKinney (30) shared 49 for the 4th wicket and then 75 unbeaten with Fraser Proud (22no) for the 5th. Alex Keith had once again shown his quality in making another 50 to set a platform. Crescent will feel it was a game that got away after making 217 for 6 thanks to 54 from Tahseen and 48 not out from Khanna. They had kept FPs under control for large spells but they had no answer to Swiergon’s late assault.
With Covid have taken quite an effect on FPs with various players having left Aberdeen, a number of regular faces will not be available to help FPs this season. They were still able to name a strong side and lined up Keith, Nattrass, Penman, Swiergon, McKinney, Proud, Morrison (w), Challa, Monnapillai, Prash, Thomson and when Crescent won the toss, FPs were happy to bowl.
Proud took the new ball and struck early clean bowling the Crescent skipper Pereira for 6. Nathan Thangaraj joined Qureshi and they added 15 until a wide ball from Prash was mishit to Nattrass at point who took a simple catch. Thangaraj was looking in good form and he and Tahseen appeared untroubled as they pushed the score up to 85, however, a miscued drive by Thangaraj was extremely well caught by the inrushing Penman as Thomson claimed his 1st wicket. Sharma stuck around but was Thomson’s 2nd victim, chipping to Swiergon for 1, Crescent 116 for 4.
Tahseen had some moments of fortune but his attacking approach was
rewarded with a half-century, but on 59 new bowler, Challa got through his defences as Crescent slipped to 156 for 5 with just 8 overs left. Any hopes FPs had of restricting Crescent below 200 were soon dashed as an additional 61 were added for just the loss of Awan who chipped Monnapillai to Prash at square leg. Khanna kept up the pressure and hit 48 not including 2 sixes as he and Konda (18no) lifted Crescent to 217 for 6.
For FPs, it was not a great day with the ball, with too many wides (23) sent down, with Proud bowling rather better than his 1 for 19 suggested and only John Thomson 2 for 21 really having a good day.
FPs knew though that with good batting and importantly running given the slow outfield that they could still challenge. Keith and Nattrass started cautiously and reached 32 when in the 8th over Nattrass chipped Singh to Thangaraj to fall for 12. Penman batted steadily in making 9 but helped Keith lift the score to 70 when he was bowled advancing to Konda. Swiergon had only reached 9 when he lost set partner Keith for an excellent 53 (7×4) and FPs found themselves 95 for 3 needing 123 from 16 overs.
Conner McKinney added some real emphasis to the chase as he scampered lots of quick one and pressured the fielders to get some 2s as he and Swiergon kept FPs in touch. McKinney hit a 6 and a four as he seemed to be getting FPs into position but was caught behind cutting for 30 off Khanna to end a 49 run stand.
This brought Proud to the crease with 8 overs left and it took him and Swiergon less than 6 to add the last 75 runs as they cut loose, Swiergon hitting some big blows as FPs suddenly found a new gear. Proud was able to sneak one nearly every ball and this allowed Swiergon to pepper the boundary as FPs cantered towards the line. It was fitting that Swiergon should hit the winning runs finishing on 71 not out from 50 balls, Proud also hit some fine shots in making 22 not out.
It was a game played in a good spirit and it really could have gone either way, but the late onslaught was enough to see FPs home. FPs travel to Stenhousemuir on Sunday and will be hoping to tighten up their bowling somewhat, but it is a game where there is no expectation for the visitors. They make 3 changes with Keith rested and Proud and Penman unavailable. Sood fresh from 50 in the 2nds, Pete Macklin and Sam Knudson step in.
Man of the Match
Rob Swiergon for his match-winning 71
Champagne Moment
Swiergon’s huge 6 over the legside, the new bat seems to work.
