John Davey helped FPs with bat and ball
FPs produced a remarkable performance to win at Fraserburgh despite missing nearly the entire bowling attack and the majority of their top order batting. That the game was played at all owed much to stand in captain’s Morrison’s power or persuasion and extensive phone contacts. FP were dealt another late blow when Alex Keith failed a morning fitness test and FPs travelled with 10 men more in hope than expectation to Fraserburgh. They had no reason to fear as the stand in players performed superbly. FPs were boosted by a magnificent all round performance from Leston D’Costa who took 4 wickets with his part time off spin and then made a graceful 79 in the run chase. He was aided and abetted by Ben Garwood in his 2nd game who blasted 47 not out as FPs ran out comfortable winners chasing down 206 with plenty time to spare.
With no skipper Agha Haider, last week’s centurion Javaid, leading wicket taker Prash, Alex Keith, Jim Lee, Hamish Penman or Karan Anand, FPs resources were somewhat stretched. John Davey made a welcome return for the the 1st time since 2017 and James Williams started for the 1st time in 5 years. Ian Johnston was called in, and FPs were at least able to welcome back Leston D’Costa and Tom Murray. Rob Swiergon manfully turned out till 430 to help the team and FPs eventually lined up with 10, Nattrass, Swiergon, D’Costa, Davey, Murray, Garwood, Williams, Morrison (c) (w), Norwood, Johnston.
FPs decided to bowl first on winning the toss to maximise Swiergon’s gameplay albeit FPs only had Swiergon to bowl. Leston D’Costa got the dubious honour of taking the new ball and after an expensive opening over, he found his line and length and dispatched both Bowie (21) and Rohani (0) in short order, Swiergon claiming catches above his head both times. After a useful opening burst from Swiergon, Morrison next opted for the quinquennial bowling of Mike Nattrass. He found some surprising swing and left everyone wondering if playing bowlers is in fact over rated. He picked up a fine caught and bowled to remove Liam Bowie for 8 and when the part time off breaks of Davey came up trumps to bowl O’Neill for 5 FPs had the Broch 63 for 4.
Shirzad and Watson then consolidated in adding 64 but FPs kept the lid on the run rate with Morrison rotating back through D’Costa, Nattrass and Davey plus some overs from Garwood. It was the returning D’Costa who finally removed Shirzad for 24, bowling him leg stump. He had a 4th wicket when Gospel got a huge top edge and Morrison ran back to pouch the high ball with the gloves. When Garwood got in on the act, removing Flowerdew for 1 FPs were well in command with the hosts 137 for 6, James William pouching a scarcely believable left handed one handed grab on the run.
Watson finally fell for a well played 47, Morrison taking a sharp chance off Swiergon. Gray who had been injured returned but was promptly run out by Nattrass. It left Fraserburgh 170 for 9 but some late fireworks from Khan at number 10 who made 43 lifted Fraserburgh to 206, Garwood deservedly having him LBW. Fps were delighted to claim 10 bowling points and restrict Fraserburgh to something chaseable and with the bowlers performing manfully only 5 were needed. Swiergon 6.5-1-33-1, D’Costa 8-1-33-4, Nattrass 8-0-49-1, Davey 8-0-25-1 and Garwood 7.4-0-59-2.
With Swiergon against the clock, he opened with Nattrass, but Nattrass was superbly bowled for a duck by Rohani. D’Costa joined Swiergon and they added 43 in quick time, Swiergon teeing off with a huge six and a few boundaries. He perished having a mow across the line but his 29 gave FPs momentum. Davey looked in good touch but fell for just 8 well caught by Gospel off Bowie, FPs 71 for 3. Murray joined D’Costa and they played with real freedom, Murray smashing a fine 6 over mid wicket as FPs rattled along and lifted the score to 119.
If Fraserburgh had sensed an opening, the door was soon slammed and bolted shut by D’Costa and Garwood who went after the bowling clubbing many boundaries in a fine stand. D’Costa motored past 50 and the score was 192 when D’Costa tried one big hit too many and was bowled for a brilliant 79 from 90 balls. The game was all but done but Williams was sent in by the captain to see FPs to the finish and he played a wonderful late cut for 4 as the victory line appeared. Garwood finished things with his 4th six, ending on 47 from 35 as FPs recorded an unlikely win.
The game was played in an axcellent spirit and FPs calm and measured approach went a long way to the win. FPs bowled their overs in 2 hours 15 to ensure the hosts had no respite and D’Costa then played superbly while well supported by Murray and Garwood. FPs are back in action on Sunday in the Bon Accord Cup Final where they will be hoping to channel the same approach and claim some silverware.
Man of the Match
A brilliant team performance but Leston D’Costa played brilliantly and deserves the award.
Champagne Moment
James Williams’ one handed catch – absolutely ridiculous.
Scorecard
Fraserburgh v FPs scorecard
