Masters Blasted by 207

Alex Keith struck another century

FPs strolled to a 207 run victory in a completely one-sided game at Rubislaw. Alex Keith was the home side’s hero with a century while Geoff Morrison (39), Rob Swiergon (73) and Fraser Proud (57) all weighed in as FPs racked up 319 for 4. Masterblasters were lucky to amass as many as 112 as the FP bowlers were completely dominant, Roland Knudson with 3 for 29 which on another day could have easily been a 5 for.

Morrison refreshed from a week on the White Isle was reintroduced as opener while Mapplebeck came in, Sam Knudson and Aman Sood dropping out. The skipper moving Morrison back to open was well justified as he and Keith resumed their love affair together with an opening stand of 110 in the first 20 overs. Keith was in particularly destructive form, unleashing some booming drives and savage cuts while Morrison was happy to play second fiddle. The visitors tried various options but had no answer for veteran Keith. Morrison hit the short balls for four and also picked up a 5 thanks to 4 overthrows. They were going nicely until Morrison failed to clear the infield, Narne taking a good catch at mid-off to hand Rizwan a wicket. 110 for 1.

Any hope the former Superkings had that this might spark a collapse were soon removed as skipper Swiergon settled in for another long inning. He and Keith added 85 in 11 overs with some excellent shot play and good running. At the drinks break, Keith had reached a chanceless 96 and one ball later he raised his century with a trademark cover drive.  His hundred was scored off 64 balls in 2 hours in 2 minutes. He was clearly tiring and played on the next ball departing for exactly 100 (16×4, 1×6)

New man Proud didn’t hang around as he and Swiergon battered the bowling scoring 101 in just 9 overs, both men were never really under much pressure and both struck 11 4s as the score climbed towards 300, Swiergon eventually holing out in the 39th over for a fine 73.  There were only 9 balls left but Proud and McKinney still added another 23 including a comical 7 as the wheels came off for the visitors. It was all the fun of the fair as Mankad’s were attempted and all sorts, but the umpires quickly brought some decorum to proceedings.  Proud did however have his average cut from 176 to 85 as he was run out of the last ball for an excellent 57 from just 25 balls, McKinney making 14 not out from 5 ( a 7 does assist). Overall a fine effort to make 319 for 4 in 40 overs, some less than wonderful bowling figures on show.

Masterblasters had no chance of chasing the runs and lost wickets regularly in the reply. Mapplebeck had Aggarwal dropped at slip but soon knocked over Chovatiya who got a leading edge to Swiergon at point and he clean bowled Waran 1st ball. Fernandes and Aggarwal resisted for a while but McKinney claimed a stunning diving catch on the boundary off Proud to do for the opener.

Knudson then stepped in and despite many close LBWs the visitors had no answer as he bowled Fernandes for 20, had Narne caught hacking across the line by Proud and Denzyl chipped him slowly to Penman at point. Knudson and Morrison were left scratching their head as an apparent stumping was rejected and then the umpire could not be sure if an appeal for a catch at the wicket was off the bat or not, so had no option but to say not out, 80 for 5.

The end wasn’t far away as Challa claimed 2 splendid caught and bowled (one given and one ruled a bump ball), it mattered little as he knocked down Rizwan’s stumps for a duck while Proud ran out the Masterblasters skipper. McKinney finished the job bowling Bruno for an enterprising 20 as Masterblasters slumped to 112 all back.

Overall it was a very comfortable win for FPs with the game over at the break thanks for a fine batting effort. Tougher challenges await but it was still a good win.

Man of the Match
The ageless Alex Keith with a superb ton, he did have to leave early but still paid his way at the bar!

Champagne Moment
There was a 5, there was a 7, but McKinney’s brilliant catch gets the nod.