FP suffered another heavy defeat as their traumatic season continued. There was plenty of effort but with 27 players having been lost in the last 2 years, it is a very tough challenge facing FPs each week, with a number of players being asked to step into a level which is new to them and a number of potential players seldom available. Overall it could be a very real insight to where cricket in Scotland is heading. The rather jovial manner in which this Bon Accord game was played without the usual level of aggression reflected 2 sides who are both questioning the long term future. Bon Accord were deserved winners as a half century by Fazal Awan helped them to 238 all out, Roland Knudson the FPs bowling bright spot with 5 for 28. FPs chase started decently but after Keith fell for 22, FPs never looked likely despite a defiant 31 from Mike Nattrass.
FPs of course made changes with Deshbhratar, Penman and Bhosale returning for last weeks run scorers Haider and Javaid and all rounder Karan Anand. They lined up Keith, Nattrass, Poosappadi, Sood, Swiergon (c), Bhosale, Penman, Morrison, Deshbhratar, Lee (w) and Knudson in a rejigged batting lineup. Swiergon won the toss and FPS started Ok with the ball, Addala edging Prash to Lee for 9 as FPs got a early breakthrough. Knudson had replaced Sood and after a good start to is spell, a full toss was hit high to long on, where the safe hands of Morrison comfortably gathered the high catch. Sood so nearly removed dangerman Awan soon after making good ground only to spill the ball as he hit the turf, Satish the bowler denied.
With FPs struggling for containment, Swiergon turned to the improbable alliance of himself and Geoff Morrison. The partnership produced the goods bagging 3 wickets between them. Morrison’s first ball saw Lee miss a tough chance at the wicket but he did do for Ahmed soon after, pinning him plumb LBW for 19, when Swiergon clean bowled both Awan and Sood, FPs sensed an opening but some missed chances were to be costly.
Morrison bowled a full spell containing the only maiden of the innings before handing the baton back to Knudson who eventually broke a stand between Ahmed and Khan, having Khan LBW for 39. However they had done the damage. The returning Sood had Ahmed well caught by Prash for a breezy 45 as FPs at least picked up some bowling points. Knudson then bagged the last 3 and a 5 for, bowling Mahmood and Raja with successive balls, before bowling Malik for 2 soon after, as Bons lost late wickets looking for extra runs. It left Bon Accord with a commanding 238 all out.
Bowling wise Knudson was the shining start with 8-0-28-5, other wicket takers were Morrison 8-1-43-1, Swiergon 6-0-29-2, Sood 7-0-51-1 and Prash 8-0-49-1. Satish bowling 3 overs for 33.
Nattrass and Keith opened and made decent progress, before Keith played on for 22 to Raja. Prash came and went for 3 bowled by Khan and Sood hit a 6 and 4 before falling to Khan also. Swiergon’s poor form continued as he made 2 before Awan bowled him as FPs slumped towards defeat. Nattrass had made a careful 31 but the high full toss did for him too as he holed out to Ahmed off Sood for 31.
Bhosale made a quick 20, but he Morrison, Penman, Lee ad Knudson were all bowled as Bon Accord showed the value of straight bowling as FPs crumbled for 126.
Next up is Mannofield at Rubislaw which is likely to be another tough outing as FPs end May with no wins on the board.
Man of the Match
Roland Knudson with an excellent 5 for
Champagne Moment
Roland claiming his 5th wicket.
Photos – thanks to Gilles Gardner
