FPs fell to another loss but on another day may well have been victors mainly due to dropped catches but also in part to some close decisions not falling their way. Having racked up 210 for 9, thanks to 38 from Rob Swiergon and 31 from Geoff Morrison, FPs struck in the opening over Govind claiming a brilliant catch but FPs were rather languorous in the field as key chances were dropped as Crescent closed out a 5 wicket win. There was some good news as FPs learned that the stumping rule was still in force after all this season, Morrison finally awarded one after many ‘close’ calls this season.
FPs made a number of changes with Alex Keith on the beach, lining up Swiergon (c), Nattrass, Haider, Morrison (w), Sood, Bhosale, Mapplebeck, Javaid, MacDonald, Youles and Prash. Swiergon won the toss again and FPs again batted with Prash somehow getting sign off to open the batting.
Prash quickly showed that FPs have been wrong all season and his bat is not the worst bat in living memory finding some early boundaries. Nattrass looked in decent form but was bowled by Toor for 17 going too far across. Haider was 3 and had made 16 when he holed out to deep midwicket off a long hop. The Prash century looked well on course but ended 74 short as he was caught by Thangaraj off Reddy. Morrison joined Swiergon and they enjoyed a productive stand of 59 Morrison belting Thangaraj for a straight six and finally finding some form as he raced along with a fluency not seen all season. Swiergon was also in good form and it took a stunning catch by Khanna in the gully diving full length to remove Morrison for 31, Thangaraj the succesful bowler.
Swiergon was out LBW for 38 to Gibson soon after and after this FPs rather lost momentum as Mapplebeck fell for 20, Sood was spectacularly run out by Thangaraj for 8 and MacDonaldwas brilliantly run out by another direct hit, this time by Pewekar. Some lusty hitting by Javaid with 2 straight sixes gave him 22 off 12 balls while Youles and Bhosale saw FPs up to 210, Bhosale’s six a highlight.
FPs bowling effort got off to a great start as Sujaya smashed a short delivery at Govind Bhosale at cover who did well to cling on, Sujaya having to drag himself off for a duck. Pewekar and Pereira then combined in a match winning stand of 112, Pereira surviving 3 clear cut catching opportunities.
Morrison did then superbly stump him down the legside and the umpire initially appeared to raise the finger but then changed his view, as baffling a decision as the jailing of Barry George, which was perhaps what the unhappy wicketkeeper suggested as the game continued. Swiergon suddenly found a few extra yards of pace perhaps a little unhappy with what had happened and bowled a brilliant inswinger to remove Pewekar who had batted beautifully for 49. Pereira soon followed as Mapplebeck held a catch, but the batsman’s 65 had done the damage.
Morrison did finally get a stumping Thangaraj stumped down the legside, this time FPs not entering into any discussions on the decision as Javaid claimed a 2nd victim, having had Sharma plumb LBW for 33 moments earlier.
It was all too little too laet as Crescent closed out a 5 wicket win to keep their title chances alive.
Bowling wise for FPs Mapplebeck 6-2-31-1, Prash 5-0-31-0, Sood 4-0-16-0, Swiergon 8-0-47-2, Haider 7-1-45-0, Bhosale 3-0-21-0, Javaid 2.2-0-18-2 were the bowlers. FPs complete their season at Cults.
Man of the Match
Sweirgon has toiled all season for FPs with bat and ball and while he didn’t get the score he wanted, he top scored and took 3 wickets so gets the nod.
Champagne Moment
Govind’s catch – a player who is developing every game and will likely find Grade 2 quite an enjoyable level to play out where he will have an opportunity to showcase all facets of his game.
