Mahesh Challa produced the bowling spell of his life to demolish Ellon for 28 claiming 8 for 10 in 7 overs. Prash weighed in with the other 2 as FPs racked up another win shortly after 230pm. Having removed both Webb and Barrett in 3 balls, he then laid waste to the remaining batsmen, Ellon losing 8 for 8 to fall from 20 for 2 to 28 all out. Both Challa and Prash were on hat tricks as FPs claimed 7 bowled, 2 LBWs and 1 catch in a remarkably accurate bowling spell. FPs had limited difficulty knocking off the runs, losing just Nattrass in a 9 wicket win.
FPs made 3 changes with Macklin, Harrower and Nattrass in for Youles, Lee and Murray, lining up Keith, Nattrass, Penman, Swiergon, Haider (c), Morrison (w), Javaid, Macklin, Harrower, Challa, Prash. Haider won the toss and chose to bowl on a green looking pitch.
After a calm 1st over from Prash, chaos soon ensued, Challa having Webb LBW with his 1st ball, the ball probably hitting leg stump. Dangerman Barrett was soon following Webb back to the pavilion, playing on 4th ball as Challa started with a wicket maiden and reduced the home side to 3 for 2. Wade and Greenfield steadied things to 20 for 2, but didn’t look comfortable against Challa or Prash.
Having struck a fine straight 4, Wade was the 3rd man out for 11, bowled off stump by Prash, Addy fell the same way next ball for a golden duck and Van Heerden only just survived the hat trick. He nearly went 2nd ball, a diving Harrower spilling a tough chance at 2nd slip. A run of 15 dots followed before Challa produced two unplayable balls which both cut back and knocked out the off stump, Van Heerden bowled for 1 and Middleton bowled for a golden duck. Ovenstone kept out the hat trick but it was one way traffic at 21 for 6.
Greenfield had looked on at the other end but he was out LBW a huge inswinger pinning him for 10. Parks had no hope with the next wicket a ball moving sharply off the pitch to flatten the off stump again. Challa then finished things, Ovenstone finally getting a full toss to hit which he slapped straight to Haider and then Bruce was yorked leg stump 1st ball as another golden duck was recorded.
It was fair to say that everything Challa tried worked as Ellon had a good batting side, but had no answer to an inspired spell. Final bowling figures were Prash 5-1-14-2, Challa 7-3-10-8, Javaid 2-0-4-1.
Keith and Nattrass opened up for FPs and after a watchful opening 5 overs, opened up, Nattrass falling for 10, LBW to Greenfield. Penman replaced him and launched his 1st ball for a one bounce four and Keith smacked a couple of boundaries as FPs closed out a 9 wicket win, Keith on 13 and Penman 6.
It was a game played in an excellent spirit and Ellon were very fair in their praise for Challa’s efforts. LBWs were awarded and all in all it is an example of how to play the grassroots game. Ellon had xero luck and came up against Challa in inspiried form. Next for FPs is a tough game with Knightriders
Man of the Match
8 for 10 – it can only be Mahesh Challa
Champagne Moment
Challa had plenty, but the ball to bowl Parks was ridiculous.
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