An patchy performance from FPs on the opening day was enough to secure a draw against Cults who smashed 218for 5 declared in 37 overs. FPs were indebted to a gritty 50 from John Lord, a steady 37 from John Eagles and a typically unorthodox 20 not out from Zahid Khan as FPs secured 16 points despite dropping 5 catches and conceding 89 in the first ten overs.
With Jerry Moir retired, Tabrez Malik transferred to St.Ronald, Glen Miller relocated back to Australia and various other players injured or unavailable, FPs were still able to name a fairly familiar team comprising of John Lord, Morrison, Budd, McDonald, Eagles, Clelland, MacDonald, Khan, Roland Knudson, James Lord and Stuart. Knudson won the toss and invited Cults to bat on the brandnew artificial pitch. James Lord opened with a maiden but FPs masterplan to open with a spinner failed to work as Knudson’s two overs were hammered for 24 as Sree Devadas set about the bowling in aggressive style. James Lord did claim Spearman for a duck in the 3rd over of the game, as he played on to a delivery that cut back. Knudson nearly did dismiss dangerman Sree as after 2 sixes he edged to Aly MacDonald at slip who could not claim a tough chance.
Stuart replaced Knudson but he also came in for punishment as Sree reached his 50 in just the 9th over of the game. Lord did bowl Barman who left a straight ball and was bowled but Cults were past 100 by the 14th over. James Lord dropped Induchudan as fine leg before the introduction of Eagles brought instant dividends as he bowled Sree with the 1st ball he had at him for 77 which contained 9 fours and 5 sixes – Cults 129 for 2. Khan joined Eagles in the attack and the game started to develop a more normal scoring pattern as Induchudan and Balkrishan played more circumspect innings. However, after James Lord and Martyn Budd both spilled chances they would normally expect to claim, Khan eventually broke through bowling Induchudan for 35. With Cults keen to declare as early as possible Balkrishan and Ram once again took the attack to FPs running aggressively and finding the boundary before Morrison’s throw from long on easily beat Ram as he tried to steal a 2nd to depart for 17.
Cults made an aggresive declaration shortly after at 217 for 5, leaving FPs 53 overs to chase down the runs. FPs bowlers had a tough afternoon, which was not helped by dropped catches and if FPs are to survive in Grade 1 this season they will definitely need to field better. The bowling figures were Lord 8-1-58-2, Knudson 2-0-24-0, Stuart 8-0-50-0, Eagles 11-1-38-1 and Khan 8-2-37-1.
FPs started the run chase believing they could chase down the Cults total on what seems like a fairly good surface for batting, but they lost Morrison early well caught for 3 by the keeper standing up to Sree. Progress was slow and when Budd fell LBW for 10, FPs were 25 for 2 from 15 overs. The normally aggressive Paul McDonald could not really get going and he fell for 7 bowled by Javaid by a delivery which may have kept a little low. Eagles joined Lord and appeared to be plumb LBW first ball, but the neutral umpire turned the confident appeal down. He then settled into a good partnership with John Lord which started to frustrate Cults which led to a bizarre incident in which Balakrishan appeared to throw a head high full toss for 5 wides in an eccentric over which went for 10 wides. Captain Javaid quickly dealt with any potential issue by replacing him. With the partnership at 84, just when FPs were beginning to consider a serious tilt at the victory target, John Lord was caught bang in front LBW to Javaid for a well constructed 50 – FPs 119 for 4. FPs then quickly lost Clelland bowled by Meghani for 6 and then MacDonald fooled by a slower ball to be bowled for 4, as FPs slipped to 145 for 6, which meant Cults were scenting victory.
They turned back to opener Forbes who continued to bowl very well but for no reward and he will probably bowl a lot worse this season and end up with a few wickets. Khan and Eagles looked to have secured the draw as they carried FPsto 172 for 6, with Khan playing cleverly to throw Javaid off his usual line and length by backing away and on occasion walking at the bowler, however, Eagles innings was to end in disaster on 37 when Khan was caught ball watching as Eagles was left stranded half way down the pitch when a single should have been there for the taking.
FPs moved to full batting points before in the final over Knudson was caught at slip off the 3rd last ball leaving James Lord to hang on for the final 2 balls to secure the draw on 0 not out and Khan on 20 not out. FPs can be happy they batted for so long to save the game, but if they had bowled better and taken some catches the game would have been made somewhat easier. If they had not got bogged down at the start there could have also been a chance they could have chased the score down, but it was not a game FPs deserved to win, so a winning draw for Cults was about right. Next week FPs travel to the Links to play champions Bon Accord in what is sure to be another tough test.