Roland Knudson played a captain’s innings hitting a fantastic 47 as FPs chased 188 to win, but like namesake Amir, it was Zahid Khan who landed the knockout blow in a typically flamboyant innings of 36 not out well supported by some good hitting by Kieran Whyte. Jadhav had earlier hit a fine 55 and Mannofield skipper Johnston batted superbly for a rapid 53 as Mannofield made 187 for 7 in 43 overs. A perfectly timed run chase however, allowed FPs to ease home with 5 balls to spare.
With about 15 players unavailable for selection, FPs called up Fryer, Whyte and Blythe for 1st team action, with FPs winning the toss and electing to bowl on a bitterly cold afternoon at Rubislaw. James Lord and Whyte took the new ball and after a watchful start Whyte struck in the 10th over, John Lord pulling off a stunning catch at 1st slip diving to this right to remove Reddy for 23. Russell replaced him but did not hang around, out quickly for 11, easily caught at gully by Eagles off Whyte.
There was then an unsavourary moment as Jadhav was stumped off the bowling of Eagles and headed to the dressing room, only to be reprieved by a surprising not out call from square leg despite most observers and the batsman seeming happy enough that it was out, however, the umpire had the best view to make the call and the game continued, Jadhav taking full advantage with some fine shots. Eventually he did depart well caught by Paul McDonald at mid on for 55 off Eagles’ bowling. Buoyed by this Eagles attempted his famed Chinaman next ball but it went horribly wrong, failing to pitch on the artificial, landing out on the grass giving Niven a choice to hit it anywhere, but perhaps in shock at the delivery, all he could do was mishit it straight to McDonald still stationed at mid on much to the batsman’s horror.
This brought Skipper Johnstone to the crease and he played some fine shots, finding the boundary, but also running aggresively to help Mannofield up their scoring rate. He did lose partner Jadhav as the returning Whyte surprised the batsman with a quicker delivery, that he miscued to Khan at mid-on. Johnstone brought up his half century with an imperious shot over long on, just ahead of Gamblin departing, caught on the boundary by McDonald off Skipper Knudson for 10. Two balls later Johnstone was stumped attempting another big hit, Morrison deflecting Knudson’s quicker ball back onto the stumps. One ball later Mannofield declared on a very challenging 187 for 7. Whyte the pick of the FP bowlers with 3 for 36.
With FPs in the relegation places and well behind 3rd bottom Kintore, this game was really must win and with that in mind Rob Fryer started positively looking for early runs. Youngster Chandu started well for Mannofield but helped FPs cause with a succesion of no balls, which led to one of a number of silly incidents during the second innings as the umpire’s desicion was queried for rather long than was neccesary. With FPs looking solid, it was a surprise when Fryer was clean bowled by a fine Mouton delivery, uprooting his off stump for 17, 29 for 1.
Skipper Knudson decided to push himself up the order to try and ensure FPs kept up with the rate and he played well in a stand of 61 with John Lord, regularly driving through the vacant cover region. The game was turning into a very exciting game of competitive cricket, but unfortunately there was to be another incident after what appeared a fairly tight wide, the Mannofield captain got involved in a long altercation which ended up with the home skipper sportingly agreeing to an umpire change. The next ball was also a wide but this time there were no protests.
Back to the cricket, Lord and Knudson were building a fine partnership and it took a piece of fielding brilliance from Mannofield skipper Johnstone to break the stand, an excellent pick up and throw leaving Lord short of his ground for a well played 20. McDonald replaced him and tried to be aggresive, but attempting a big hit, he was well caught by Gamblin off Reddy for 1. Knudson then launched 2 glorious 4s and looked well set for 50, only to miscue Reddy to gully to depart for 47. Blythe then looked good but fell for just 7 sucumbing to the same fate as his skipper, Fps now 126 for 5, needing 62 from 10 overs.
Khan, who was still aggrieved by the umpiring incident was joined by Whyte and they played superbly together, attacking all the bowlers and running intelligently as they pursued the winning target. Khan launched one spectactular six off Chandu as he showed his determination to win the match for FPs. Just when FPs looked to be nudging ahead, Whyte fell, superbly caught on the run by Gamblin off Chandu for 18. Eagles joined Khan with 32 needed from five and through a combination of good striking and kamikaze running they continued to rack up the runs as FPs closed on victory. They had levelled the scores by the time a smart piece of work by Russell accounted for Eagles, taking a good catch off Reddy’s bowling. It meant all Morrison was required to do was score 1 run from 5 balls and he managed to squeeze the first ball he got past gully to claim an exciting win.
In terms of cricket, both games with Mannofield this have been about as exciting as FPs have played and it was good that at the end of the game that the cricket overshadowed the other goings on. Johnstone was unlucky to be on the losing side having batted very well and made a near perfect declaration, but ultimately it was the batting of Knudson and laterally Khan that eventually settled things in FPs favour. FPs remain well adrift of safety but will be buoyed by this win and will hope to build on it next week against St Ronald.