FPs were unable to force a victory against Academy after a determined display by the Academy batsmen. FPs did however get the better of the draw collecting maximum batting and draw points as well as picking up 9 wickets. With Knudson and Clelland both unavailable, it was stand in skipper Morrison who lost the toss and FPs were asked to bat. With all other games off at the Duthie Park, it was a very wet pitch which greeted openers Lord and Budd.
Both openers looked in good touch and they forged a solid opening partnership of 46 before Aman bowled Budd for 23 with a ball Budd elected to leave clipping the top of off stump. This brought Dallas Moir to the crease and he should have departed for 2 when attempting a big shot he could only top edge a simple chance to the bowler. Unbelievably, Kessell could not gather it, but in the confusion, the ball was thrown up to the strikers end to run out Lord by yards in shambolic manner for 18, leaving FPs 60 for 2.
Moir was joined by his twin brother Jerry and they set about the Academy attack in a rapid 89 run partnership, with Dallas passing 50 with a huge six, one of 3 he hit. This was to be his last scoring shot however, as he top edged Rasman and was easily caught at the wicket for 54, having hit 7 fours and 3 sixes. Youles came in at 5 on the back of some good form but could only muster 4 being bowled by Rasman, to reduce FPs to 171 for 4.
This soon become 175 for 5 as Jerry Moir who had also recorded a 50 was caught off the bowling of Aman for a well played 58. James Lord and Muthu both came and went and it was left to Morrison and Fraser to push the total past 200 to declare at 202 for 7 off 42 overs.
FPs bowling effort started brightly as Moir soon had Academy 4 for 1, bowling Afai first ball with a fine delivery. There was then a real lull in proceedings as Academy moved cautiously to 35 after 12 overs. Tomkins replaced Lord and instantly made a breakthrough, having Liptrott caught in the gully by the juggling Muthu for 15. Moir having taken 1 for 4 in 7 overs was replaced by Stuart in the attack but it was Tomkins who continued to collect the wickets, having dangerman Sunny caught and bowled for a duck to leave Academy 38 for 3.
Roshan and Aman then build a good partnerhip, taking the score past 100 with FPs becoming increasingly desperate for a wicket. Their wish for a wicket was answered by a fine catch by Skipper Morrison running back from mid off. Aman looking to hit Tomkins for six, could only get a big leading edge allowing Morrison to turn and make good ground to take a diving chance to dismiss Aman for a well played 53. Tomkins struck again in his next over catching Roshan off his own bowling for 35. Tomkins continued his great work in his 10th over having both Stewart and Ashin caught at first slip by Jerry Moir leaving Academy 117 for 7. Tomkins could not add further to his tally endding with 12-0-48-6.
FPs by this time had Moir back in the attack and he was joined by Youles as FPs sought the 3 wickets needed for victory. Kessels was leading a charmed life as twice he was put down at mid on off Moir, Stuart the unfortunate fielder on both occasions. With game seemingly heading for a draw, Youles gave FPs hope as Kessels chipped an easy catch to Dallas Moir to leave FPs needing 2 wickets in the last 7 overs.
There was were a number of extremely close calls with Moir appearing to have Mahesh plumb LBW only for the umpire to bizarrely rule it was not out as he could not see any of the stumps. As has often been the case this season, it appeared little would be given and when Morrison appeared to have FPs reject Naeem caught at mid off from Stuart’s bowling it was ruled bump ball despite Morrison being 35 yards away and the pitch being wetter than a bank holiday weekend.
FPs could not force the wickets they needed but did pick up the bonus wicket of Mahesh run out off the last ball from Morrison’s throw as Budd collected the ball and to run him out by the length of the pitch despite Naeem’s strange protests. This meant that Academy finished on 175 for 9 in what had been a good rearguard action aided by some dropped catches and some questionable umpiring.
Moir was once again in miserly form with 1 for 14 from 12, but it was Tomkins who took the bowling honours with his 6 for 48, Youles picking up the other wicket with 1 for 22 from 6.
