While Messrs Keith, Swiergon and Haider were careful to avoid buying duties at the Burnett Arms on Saturday night making 49, 48, and 49 respectively, the more generous a
nd apparently deep pocketed Prashanth Poosappadi obliged with another 5 for as FPs squeezed past Banchory in a very even contest by 13 runs. It did not appear that too many of the patrons should be asked into the round as a rather bo
ozy ‘ladies day’ had left a number of the locals looking about as strong as FPs opener Keith appeared after a night in the corporate section at Strictly when he 1st arrived at Banchory.
It was a a fairly foggy and damp scene at Banchory so both sides did well to get a game on, despite co
nditions being less than ideal. FPs made 3 changes with Youles, Lee and Macklin coming in, lining up Keith, Nattrass, Swiergon, Haider (c), Penman, Morrison, Javaid, Macklin, Youles, Lee, Prash.
Keith was absolutely thrilled to be advised that FPs had lost the toss and were batting and he joined opening partner Nattrass with minimal enthusiasm as the clock struck one. Banchory might have been happy that Keith was not firing on all cylinders as after Nattrass fell early chipping Khalid to cover for 5, Keith opened up as he and Swiergon shared 87 in a rollicking stand that was to prove decisive. They were part
icularly severe on anything short and took full toll on the very short boundary one one side. Banchory were delighted to see the back of Keith for 49 (8×4) who drove Thapa straight to Adyanthaya who took a routine catch.
Skipper Haider joined Swiergon and with Swiergon looking well set for a 50 he attempted a sweep and was out LBW for 48 (9×4) to Adyanthaya. Penman was then superbly caught at
slip by Rotheram for 9 as Banchory fought back, FPs now 140 for 4 in 29 overs. Morrison joined Haider and was happy to play 2nd fiddle to the captain but did open his account belting Hendrickson for 6. Haider blasted 8 fours as he upped the pace but tried one big hit too many of the Banchory captain and Matthews held the high catch.
Javaid came and went for 5, caught and bowled by Davies and Macklin was run out when Morrison called him for a decidely tight single looking to keep the strike. Morrison hit a couple of late boundaries in 18 not out to get FPs past 200, as they closed on 2
03 for 7.
With conditions not improving, it was always going to be a tough ask to bowl and there was a number of height no balls from FPs as the bowlers struggled to grip the ball. Banchory’s chase started well, but after Prash had failed to make the breakthrough, Haider struck in his 1st over, George chipping a simple caught and bowled back to him for 13. Prash changed ends and soon had Counsell bang in front for 13 as Banchory slipped to 34 for 2.
Morrison had been keeping w
icket until the 18th over but was thrown the ball for the 19th and was extremely unlucky not to have Rotherham LBW in his 1st over, the bowler and his teammates surprised that the ball had done too much. Swiergon though had more joy, clean bowling Rotherham for 39 in the next over, the Banchory number 3 having played a high class innings up to that point.
Prash then got his 2nd wicket bowling Wiles for 18 as FPs chipped away and it was 125 for 5 when Javaid clean bowled Thapa for 21. Herbert and Khalid regrouped and cautiously swung things back towards Banchory with a useful stand of 19, but Haider pinned Khalid LBW for 10. Banchory had reached 172 for 6 needing 32 from the last 7 ove
rs but a triple strike from Prash get FPs back on track, Adyanthaya LBW for 8, Herbert caught by Haider for 28 and Hendrikson bowled for a duck leaving Banchory 174
for 9.
Morrison was recalled for the death overs and after Javaid had dropped one of the simpler chances of the season, Morrison struck 2 balls later and bowled Matthews for 3 as FPs closed out the win. Bowling wise Prash took 5/24, Javaid 1/33, Haider 2/32, Swiergon 1/62 and Morrison 1/35.
Overall it was a good competitive game and both sides did well to get a game played at all. Next up for FPs is 2nd Grampian at Rubislaw.
Man of the Match
Prash is just edged out by Haider for his runs, wickets and catch.
Champagne Moment
Swiergon’s delivery to bowl Rotherham.
