FPs were dealt a blow to their promotion chances as they slipped to a 6 wicket defeat to Queens Cross. After losing the toss FPs were asked to bat and struggled to 130 all out in 43.1overs despite a valiant 37 from Budd. In reply Queens Cross were 54 for 4 but a useful 56 from McLarnon saw them to victory.FPs made the worst possible start as Lord was caught off the bowling of Grant Jamieson 4th ball of the game. Eagles and Budd were then happy to consolidate in a 45 run stand before Eagles was caught by Gavin Jamieson off the bowling of Robin Taylor. Moir soon followed bowled by Wright for 4, to leave FPs 39 for 3.
Scoring was slow and the Queens cross bowling extremely accurate and having laboured to 74, Youles was bowled for 16 playing an ugly shot at a straight ball from Gavin Jamieson. MacDonald helped Budd move the score to 102 before departing in a similar way to Youles for 16 off Gavin Jamieson.
Knudson could only muster 4 and when Budd was bowled for 37 FPs only had 111 on the board for the loss of 7 wickets. Budd to his credit had at least dug in for 93 balls in a stay of just over 2 hours. Muthu fell moments later, Morrison hit a straight six in a brisk 14 but when he was bowled by Findlay and Tomkins soon followed to leave FPs 130 all out. This seemed 50 runs short of par, but credit was certainly due to a fine all round bowling performance by the visitors with the Jamieson brothers both impressive.
FPs needed quick wickets, but Findlay and Jamieson blunted the opening attack with Findlay launching an impressive straight 6 onto the pavilion roof from Moir’s bowling. However, he could only add 2 more as he was comprehensively bowled by Stuart. Soon after Moir had Jamieson plumb LBW playing across the line to reduce Queens Cross to 37 for 2. It was soon 39 for 3 as Eagles brilliantly caught Wood in the gully.
It got better for FPs as the left hander Shepherd was brilliant bowled by Stuart for 12 to leave Queens Cross 54 for 4. Skipper Knudson then decided to gamble and keep Moir and Stuart on to bowl out there 12 overs each, but despite some close calls the batsman survived to leave Moir with 1 for 26 from 12 and Stuart 3 for 50.
Tomkins came into the attack and was joined by MacDonald who in his 3rd overs 3 times believed he had McLarnon LBW but all three appeals were rejected, much to MacDonald’s astonishment and anger. McLarnon then went on the attack particularly severe on Tomkins and when he reached 50 it was clear there was to be only one winner. He finished with a match winning 56 and gave Queens Cross a well deserved win.
