Prash claimed 5 for 11
Prash Poosappadi ripped through the Huntly top order to claim 5 for 11 as FPs started Grade 2 life in positive fashion skittling Huntly for just 30. All the other bowlers claimed a wicket and former skipper Rob Swiergon claimed 2 brilliant slip catches and a run out as FPs fielded in a manner completely at odds with last years difficulties. Alex Keith wasted no time knocking off the runs, Mike Nattrass the only man to fall as FPs won by 9 wickets.
FPs were under the new leadership of Agha Haider and he won the toss and asked Huntly to bat. FPs were boosted by the return of back to back Grade 1 league winner Mahesh Challa to the ranks which filled the place vacated by Aman Sood. FPs lined up Keith, Nattrass, Swiergon, Haider (c), Penman, Morrison (w), Hasnain, Murray, Bhosale, Challa, Prash.
Prash took the new ball from the Pavillion end and after Dawar edged his 2nd ball through the slips for 2, the next ball was a bit fuller and produced another edge and Morrison dived to his left to gather 2 handed, Dawar out for 2. It set the tone for something of a rout as Huntly failed to find the boundary and only extras with 10 made double figures. Myron-Petrie was 2nd out, plumb LBW to Prash for 1 and Challa joined the game from the Cromwell Road end and had Kennedy brilliantly caught at 2nd slip by Swiergon as Huntly sunk to 9 for 3.
It was soon 16 for 6 as Prash picked up his 3rd and 4th, Morrison bowled for 5 and Henderson magnificently held by a leaping Swiergon at 2nd slip for just 2. Coffey was run out in farcical circumstances for 1 as Swiergon’s wild throw at the strikers end, missed deflected off Coffey at the non strikers end and into the stumps to run him out as Huntly attempted to run off a wide.
Prash was allowed to complete his 5 for clean bowling Cameron for a duck and was removed from the attack with the very tidy figures of 7-2-11-5. Challa had also been withdrawn after an opening spell of 5-1-10-1 and skipper Haider and the magnificently turned out Hasnain took up the attack. Both were soon in the wickets, Haider castling Reid for 7 and Hasnain having bowled very tightly picking up a wicket with his poorest ball, Milne slapping it straight to the bowler’s brother-in-law Haider for 1. Govind was wheeled out for a spell and having beaten the bat with his 1st delivery, he pushed it a bit fuller and Morrison easily collected the catch, Tanden out for a 2nd ball duck.
FPs needed just 17.2 overs to take the 10 wickets with Haider returning 3-1-5-1, Hasnain 2-0-3-1 and Bhosale 0.2-0-0-1. While it was the 1st game, given FPs had done zero practice it was an encouraging start with accurate bowling and good catching, something that was seldom seen in 2022.
The teams turned round and Keith and Nattrass opened with Nattrass hitting the first boundary of the game but falling for just 5 bowled by the impressive Henderson. Keith after having a look, soon found his range cracking 4 powerful boundaries as FPs closed in on victory. Keith finished the game with a straight 6 making 25 not out from 27, Swiergon making 2 not out.
The game was played in a good spirit, and Huntly did not do themselves justice at all and had the disadvantage of batting 1st, but have some good young players and will give a few teams problems. FPs were just happy to win a game after a baron 2022. Next up is Banchory who made a huge score in a big win on the opening day.
Man of the Match
Rob Swiergon’s fine fielding does not do enough to stop Prash with a 5 for from claiming the prize.
Champagne Moment
If it is was the sartorial elegance moment, then Hasnain’s kit would have got it, but Swiergon’s outstanding 2nd catch gets the nod.
