FPs produced a far improved performance but slipped to a narrow 2 wicket defeat to Mannofield in an exciting match in which all 4 results remained possible right until the end. FPs look dead and buried after just 8 overs as they slumped to 21 for 5, but a typically eccentric 57 from Zahid Khan at number 9, 39 from Aly MacDonald at number 7 and 21 from Roland Knudson at number 10, plus a useful 13 not out from last man Stuart helping to add 53 for the last wicket allowed FPs to reach 198 all out. Tom Booth took 3 for 54 and Roland Knudson 2 for 24 but an excellent 60 from Rana and 46 from Reddy allowed Mannofield to squeeze home by 2 wickets in a game played in a great spirit with both teams fighting hard to try and win. FPs made 6 changes naming a more familiar 11 with McDonald, MacDonald, Clelland, Khan and Stuart returning, with Booth making his 1st start of the season. FPs lost the toss and were invited to bat. They lost Lord for a duck in the 3rd over LBW to Chandu and Morrison fell in the same way to Shetty after he had struck 3 fours in making 12. Budd then miscued to mid off for a duck, McDonald was caught for 7 and Tom Booth was slightly unfortunately adjudged LBW for 1 as FPs crumbled to 21 for 5 in just 8 overs.
This brought Eagles and MacDonald together and they played sensibly but with aggresion finding the boundary regularly, MacDonald opening his account with a six over long on. However, just when they were looking well set having added 52, MacDonald called Eagles for an unlikely run and Eagles was run out for 16. Clelland replaced him but was brilliantly caught and bowled by Rana for 4 leaving FPs still deep in trouble at 88 for 7, moments later MacDonald also departed for a well played 39 caught by Johnstone from Burns’ bowling. At 96 for 8, it looked like FPs would not be able to post a competitive total, but skipper Knudson joined Khan and they added 49 in a mix of good placement and big hitting before Knudson was bowled for 21. FPs would have settled for 145 after the start they had but last man Stuart and Khan came together to add 53 with some fantastic running and some lusty blows, Khan hitting 2 big sixes over long and Stuart twice finding the boundary. Khan was dropped at mid off and took advantage passing 50 before eventually being bowled by Johnstone for a fine 57, his first 50 for the club.
Young Chandu was the pick of the Mannofield bowlers taking 3 for 16 in a great opening spell. With the fast outfield and decent pitch 198 was a good total which gave FPs a chance of a win but they knew they needed to bowl well to force a win.
With a lack of opening bowlers, FPs opted for Booth and the offspin of Khan to open the bowling and Khan found turn straigh away, but it was booth who struck first, a leg side full toss which was top edged where Budd made great ground to claim a fine catch at backward square leg, Booth was bowling well, but it seemed it was his bad balls that were the ones to watch for as a rank long hop was helped straight to Budd at square leg by Mitchell for 9, Mannofield 25 for 2.
This brought Reddy and Gamblen together and Reddy played some glorious shots in making 46 before Gary Stuart produced a perfect inswinger to trap him LBW for 46, this looked like it could be the turning point as just moments later Gamblen had been run out by Knudson from the fine leg boundary for 14. However Rana and Johnstone had other ideas playing very nicely, punishing the bad balls and defending the good ones as they added 58 before the returning Booth bowled Johnstone aiming a big shot over the legside from another long hop from Booth. A fired up Booth then produced a series of yorkers but he could not break through Rana’s defences who passed 50.
FPs continued to mix up the bowling and offspinner Knudson claimed his first wicket as Chandu was Budd’s 3rd catch, this time a sharp catch at silly mid off – 156 for 6. FPs knew they needed another quick wicket but they were denied by Elliot who played well, moving Mannofield within 14 of victory, when Rana departed well caught by Paul McDonald at cover off Khan for 60. Knudson quickly dispatched Ghawale bowling him for 4 leaving Mannofield still needing 7. However the game was up as Khan was edged through slips for a 2 and then a 4 by Elliot before Mannofield grabbed the winning runs in the next over, Elliot ending on 18 not out.
All in all, it was a good competive game, but one that FPs were dispointed not to win, however Mannofi