With the diggers moving in on Monday, with the exception of Rob Swiergion who made a superb 81 not out, there will be few tears shed at the loss of the current grass wicket at the Links from FP players. FPs record has been woeful on the Links pitch, but in reality, the pitch played no part in a heavy loss by 90 runs where FPs were out batted and out bowled by the home side. FPs also shelled a string of catches with Bon Accord comfortable and deserved winners. With only number 11 Prash making double figures apart from Swiergon, the skipper may well have rued his teammates efforts as he attempted to single-handedly chase down the runs.
FPs made 2 changes with Mahesh Challa deemed fit enough to play and Prash returning, replacing Leston D’Costa and Fraser Proud. Having lost the toss and dropped an early catch, things did not start ideally, but Mike Nattrass then produced an inspired catch leaping to grab Awan one-handed above his head while running back as Sood had an early victim. Ahmed and Aziz then settled into a long stand of 83, FPs struggling to create chances and then dropping them when they did. It took the injured Challa to find a second wicket, having been pressed into action, claiming an excellent caught and bowled when Ahmed hit him straight up.
Aziz and Mirza then settled in and had a number of let-offs as catches of varying difficulty were grassed. A run out seemed to have broken the stand, with Aziz struggling to make his ground but the square leg umpire was unable to be sure. He fell soon after, Morrison catching him one-handed off skipper Swiergon for a useful 45, Raja hit a 6 and then was excellently caught by Anand on the boundary for Challa’s 2nd wicket and Morrison snapped up Ali after a loose shot off Challa as FPs pegged back Bons to 148 for 5.
Mirza was now the key man and he and Gopinathan cut loose with a rapid stand of 73 which took the game away from FPs. Mirza was finally yorked for 65 by Prash but the damage was done as Bon Accord closed on a very strong 229 for 6.
Mahesh was the pick of the bowlers managing through 8 overs with 3 for 36, Prash 1 for 27, Sood 1 for 43, and Swiergon 1 for 15 the other wicket takers.
FPs chase started terribly and were 2 for 2 in the opening 11 balls, Keith bowled by Mirza and Nattrass by Malik for 2 and 0 respectively. Sam Knudson was given caught at the wicket for 1 and Malik held Anand as Mirza took a 2nd wicket. McKinney was bowled by Awan and he also removed Sood, the 4 batsmen making 18 between them and FPs 49 for 6.
Swiergon had stood and watched this all unfold and was on 23 when he was joined by Morrison. They stemmed the tide somewhat with Swiergon hitting some fine blows but Morrison was yorked by Raja as FPs slipped to 74 for 7, Challa then fell for 1 as FPs declined further to 85 for 8, Swiergon battling on to be on 48. Knudson stuck in and saw him to his 50 but fell for 1 after a stand of 28. Last man Prash at least did record double figures but could not see Swiergon through to what would have been a deserved century, as he was left high and dry on 81 not out.
Skipper Swiergon proved what was possible with a disciplined effort, hitting 11 4s in his 94 ball stay but not one other batsman was able to stay with him. FPs now face Stoneywood Dyce in the 2020 Scottish Cup on Tuesday before a very tough league fixture with Inverurie at Rubislaw next Saturday.
Man of the Match
Rob Swiiergon, the skipper was a class part for FPS batting wise and also claimed a wicket, he deserved a century
Champagne Moment
Maike Nattrass’ one-handed catch – it sadly didn’t set the trend for FPs catching.
