Proud struck 104
Fraser Proud struck a fine century, his 1st for FPs as his side romped to a 185 run victory. His 104 was the mainstay of FPs 260 for 7, but he was well supported by Harry Mapplebeck’s 36 in a stand of 123 for the 5th wicket. They had followed a good platform set by Alex Keith (27) and Geoff Morrison (36) who had added 68 for the 2nd wicket. In the 2nd innings, wickets fell regularly with John Thomson claiming 4 for 24 and Roland Knudson 3 for 22 in a comfortable victory.
FPs made 1 change from Saturday’s team with Aman Sood replacing Hamish Penman. Stand-in skipper Prash won the toss and he chose to bat, the 1st time that FPs have batted 1st in their 9 games this season. Nattrass fell early bowled by Gilbert for 1, but Morrison promoted to 3 after a cautious start played some attacking strokes, and dominated the stand with Keith. He hit 6 boundaries in a fluent 36 and it was rather against the run of play when he was bowled by Thomas. Keith had mustered 27 but was not his usual fluent self and holed out to F Thomas off Libin Thomas.
It brought Proud and Anand together and they added 41 in good time before Anand clipped Varghese to Jacob at square leg to depart for 17, FPs now 119 for 4. Any hope that Grampian had that they could restrict FPs was soon gone as Proud and Mapplebeck picked up the pace. There was lots of aggressive running but mixed in were some power shots as the boundary was regularly found. Proud was particularly severe on anything short and hit 3 sixes and 11 fours all around the wicket as he made a fine century, bringing it up with a fine 4. Mapplebeck was caught by Jacob off Thomas for 36 and centurion Proud soon followed, caught by Thomas off Varghese, perhaps tiring. Challa was also run out for 5 in pursuit of quick runs leaving Aman Sood (7no) and Prash (3no) to see FPs up to 260.
It was improbable that Grampian was going to chase the target and Jeby George fell 3rd ball to Mapplebeck, that man Proud grabbing a sharp chance at the 2nd attempt at short cover. Prash got in the wickets with 2 in quick succession, Morrison doing well to dive forward to claim a low chance offered by Libin Thomas (2) before Prash castled Varghese for 4.
Opener Joseph and Nimmy lifted Grampian to 44, but John Thomson took 2 quick wickets, bowling Joseph for 21 and Nimmy for 16 as FPs closed in. Roland Knudson was also into the attack and a wide full toss did the trick, Alex Keith rolling back the years to leap up on the boundary and claim a magnificent catch doing superbly to stay in bounds to see off Jacob for 8. Knudson did for Gilbert next ball, Sood claiming a simple chance at cover. It was something of a procession now and Thomson had Ashwin LBW for 0 and then had his 4th as Nattrass took a steepling catch on the boundary to remove F Thomas. All hopes of a 5for were gone though as a Knudson’Moonball’ was miscued to gully where Nattrass again claimed a fine catch to close out the win.
Overall it was a very strong performance from FPs who batted well and then bowled and fielded with a purpose to ensure a comfortable win. The next round is on July 18th. Before this, FPs have important league action and take on Grampian again next week, who will be able to welcome back a number of their key players, meaning it is likely to be a far closer contest.
Man of the Match
The 2nd of the weekend for Fraser Proud who followed up his 5 for yesterday with a century today.
Champagne Moment
Can’t beat Alex Keith leaping like a salmon on the boundary.
Scorecard AGSFPs v Grampian
