With Skipper Knudson on holiday, stand in Morrison called correctly and invited Stonehaven to bat.  FPs got off to a great start as Bakhshi bowled the dangerous Milroy for 6 in the 3rd over.  Bakhshi and Lord continued to keep things tight with Stonehaven raching 32 for in 15 when Stuart and Eagles were introduced.

Stuart should have had Donald early but Booth failed to claim the chance on the long off boundary and Eagles then suffered similarly bad luck as Morrison shelled Donald at long off in the next over, an x-ray later proving it had fracturd his finger in two places for his pains.  These let offs allowed Donald to then hit Eagles for 2 boundaries before some fine glovework by Clelland saw him well stumped for 23 only moments after Booth had taken a well judged catch off Stuart’s bowling to dismiss Clive Hinchcliffe for 20 – Stonehaven 55 for 3.  Campbell was also brilliantly stumped by Clelland for 5 as FPs started to make in-roads.

A Hinchcliffe an d Wilson then combined in a long stand before Wilson was forced to retire hurt which brought Balsillie to the crease.  After once again displaying his reverse sweep against the spinners, Bakhshi was recalled to bowl him for 2.  He also bowled Hinchcliffe for a well played 40 and made it 3 in the over as he bowled Long for 1.  In his next over he dispatched Gardiner’s off stump for 1 as he grabbed 5 for 30.  With Stonehaven now desperate for quick runs, Findley was last to go, easily run out by Morrison from short fine leg.

With only 128 needed for victory, FPs were cautiously optimistic, but were soon in danger of a heavy defeat as they slipped to 38 for 5.  First stand in opener McDonald was bowled Hinchcliffe for 2, then Lord walked caught behind by Milroy off Findley.  Booth only made 6 before being bowled by Hinchcliffe and Eagles fell to the same fate for 2.  Davey looked like he could save FPs but was caught off an average delivery on the boundary from Walthan’s bowling.

Khan batted in his usual outrageous style and had added 21 with Clelland before being disastrous run out for 18.  Clelland then found an ally in Bakhshi and some very aggresive running allowed then to add 33 and carry FPs to 92 for 7 when Milroy who had taken off the pads bowled Clelland for 12.  Morrison appeared at 9 as FPs sought to find 35 runs from the last 7 overs.  Both batsmen found the boundary in adding 13 but with 23 needed from 4, the excellent Hinchcliffe struck bowling the Australian for 25.

Lord joined Morrison but some accurate bowling meant they could not find the runs needed as the game closed as  a draw.  It inched FPs nearer safety, but they will still need a decent result at Ellon to be certain of their Grade 1 status next term.

FPs won the toss and asked Banchory to bat, making 2 changes James Lord and Chris Clelland replacing the injured Vijapur and the unavailable Booth.  Lord and Bakhshi took the new ball and Banchory made sedate progress to 32 for no wicket in 13 overs, the only alarm being Stuart failing to cling onto a sharp chance at point.  Stuart however, soon made in-roads with the ball clean bowling Perry in the 14th over for 6.  He nearly had Itter in his next ovver, Morrison diving forward at point but only succedding in gashing his finger and failing to complete the catch.  Stuart, however, soon had Itter pinning him plumb LBW for 25.

Banchory then lost 3 wickets on 45 as slow left armer Eagles had Chicana bang in front for 1 before the oddest dismissal of the season as James batting deep in his crease, retreated further and inexplicably demolished middle stump to be out for a duck hit wicket, the first time Eagles’ pace had ever stuck fear into an opponent.  He then had Sharma sensationally caught by Tenneti one handed at slip as he somehow managed to twist and stretch to claim the ball inches from the turf.  Eagles soon had 4 as Morrison claimed the simplest chance of the season at mid wicket Virk chipping tamely to him to go for 2.

Starling and Khan then combined in a good stand of 51, Starling in particular playing some fine shots, including a fine straight 6.  Tenneti and Bakhshi both spilled catchable chances on the boundary before Stuart snapped up a sharp chance at mid wicket as Khan removed Kahn for 19.  Stirling replaced him and absolutely middled one of the first deliveries he received which went like a rocket towards the boundary, only for Morrison to intercept it right on the line to remove him for a duck.

Bakhshi returned and removed Starling with a slower ball, bowling him off stump for a well played 35 before Khan comprehensively bowled Miller for 3 as Banchory were bowled out for 123 in 45.3 overs.  Eagles was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 13 in 12 overs, Khan claiming 3 for 46 from 11.3, Stuart getting thing rolling with 2 for 11 from 5 and Bakhshi claiming the other wicket for 35 in 11 overs.

With Morrison injured, yet another change at the top of the order was made, skipper Knudson opening with Tenneti and they made slow progress to 16 for 1  in 10 overs Tenneti chipping Starling to mid wicket for 3.  McDonald replaced him and played with caution as he and Knudson added 21 in 11 overs, Knudson eventually getting frustrated and miscuing to point to go for an unusually laboured 16.

New man Davey knew FPs had to up the scoring rate from the pedestrain 1.5 an over and after 1 sighter launched Sharma for a textbook straight 6.  Clearly inspired by this McDonald also hit a six greeting Perry’s first ball with an imperious pull over square leg.  Perry however, had the last laugh  McDonald miscuing a high full toss to go for 27 much to his obvious disgust.  Eagles replaced him but did not last long bowled for 4.  FPs now 78 for 4, needing 46 from 13 overs. Davey launched another magnificent maximum as he and Khan quickly added 15, but Khan was bowled by Perry for 3.

Davey was now key to victory, but after a well paced 36 he was bowled by Virk with FPs still 21 from victory but with 7 overs left and 4 wickets still in hand.  Morrison and Bakhshi played cautiously adding 11 of the runs needed but using up 5 of the overs before Bakhshi fell for 5, well bowled by the ever accurate Miller.

The normal man to see FPs through a crisis is Clelland so he arrived on cue at number 9 but soon saw Morrison given out caught at the wicket off Virk for 5, FPs still needing 8 to win from 9 balls.  Lord should have gone first ball as he chipped a simple caught and bowled to Virk but somehow he failed to take the catch cleanly.

The game looked to be up for FPs next ball as Lord drove out to cover and set off for a tight run, Clelland sent him back but it was too late as Lord passed Clelland with Clelland stuck at the wrong end and the ball in the fielders hands.  Clelland had no no option but to run and appeared to have no chance but some calamitous wicketkeeping from James saw him drop the ball, before stumbling, he did eventually regain the ball and slowly break the wicket by which time somehow Clelland had managed to make his ground despite James’ looking somewhat sheepish.

Unperturbed Clelland showed his usual tactical nous cleverly getting 3 from the final ball to get himself on strike for the final over.  With 3 needed from the final over, Clelland could not get the first ball away but managed to tie the scores with a well placed 2 from the next ball.  With the field in, next ball Clelland picked his spot to claim the winning run with 3 balls to spare.

It was a fine effort from Clelland and Banchory deserve great credit for making such a game of it, Starling and Miller both really impressing with the ball.  FPs continue to dig themselves out of the relegation zone but will face a tough match next week at Stonehaven where they will need to try and get something to make sure they stay out of the bottom two.

Stuart replaced Vijapur who was struggling with his shoulder and struck in his 3rd over bowling Devlin off his pads for 3.  Next to go was Venkat superbly caught by McDonald at silly mid off for 4.  Smith lasted no time as he was bowled by Bakhshi for a duck as Gordonians slipped to 26 for 5.

Stuart then delivered a double blow as he had Rajesh plumb LBW for 2 and then dispatched Rohit next ball, Khan diving forward to claim a fine catch.  The hat-trick ball was bang on the money, but Jones hit it straight for a couple.  Jones and Phani then combined in a useful stand and Phani hit Gordonians only boundary before Jones departed tamely chipping to Knudson at the unusual position of cover to depart for 11.

Eagles replaced Bakhshi after his 12 overs for 28 which gained 3 wickets and new man Eagles took just 10 balls to claim 2 for 1 as first his full toss was well held by a diving Booth at deep square leg and then he comprehensively bowled Brown for a duck as Gordonians were all out 65.

With Lord injured Morrison opened with the under the weather Pehlaj and they quickly added 14 in 2 overs before Pehlaj miscued a hook and was caught for 3 off Rohit.  Morrison departed with the score on 20 as he also miscued Rohit and was caught for 3.  This brought birthday boy Booth and Davey together and they added 35 in stylish manner, Booth hitting 3 fours and a huge six as he made 24 before being surprisingly bowled by Jones.  Jones then dispatched McDonald first ball, but the hat-trick ball went a bit wrong and was wided.  Davey took over where Booth let off driving straight for four, before finishing with an imperious pull over square leg for 6 as he finished on 25 not out.

The win, all but condemns Gordonians to Grade 2 next year, but FPs can still escape, although next week’s contest with Banchory will be pivotal.

McDonald was in typically aggresive form and he and Bakhshi added 20 before Bakhshi was bowled by Nikil or 7.  FPs hopes of a big score rested with McDonald and Khan but both fell quickly to reduce FPs to 89 for 6 as first McDonald hit a long hop straight at mid wicket to go for 18 and then Khan was superbly stumped down the legside for a duck.  Morrison made just 2 before top edging a long hop from Malik to be easily caught behind. James Lord and Stuart did at least add 9 for the last wicket before Stuart was bowled for 6 – FPs all out for a well below par 103, Nikil the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 31.

FPs knew they needed early wickets to have any chance of achieving a shock win and they kept things tight at the start before Lord held one back, leading Joshi to tamely chip a catch to McDonald at cover, St Ronald 15 for 1.  Vijapur soon made that 15 for 2 after a testing spell Mudie was eventually bowled for 4.  He nearly had Gundra next ball as a huge LBW shout for a superb yorker was turned down by the narrowest of margins.  Haider was looking dangerous at the other end, but after some exact amendments to his field, Vijapur produced a sensational delivery that Haider did well to edge through to Morrison behind the stumps to depart for 9, St Ronald 8 for 3 in 10 overs.

Bakhshi replaced Vijapur and set about the St Ronald batting lineup like a man possesed as he collected 7 wickets in 45 balls in a breathless display of accurate quick bowling.  First he had Amer LBW for 11, before James Lord in the unusual position of gully snapped up a tough chance to dismiss Gundra for 10.

Skipper Bode came in at 6 but lost partner Janjeet for a duck, Paul McDonald claiming a great diving catch at cover, 59 for 6. A brief stand carried St Ronald to 72 but Bakhshi produced a pearler which was edged through to Morrison and umpire Hughes raised the finger much to FPs delight.  Malik survived a tight LBW call 1st ball, but shortly after Bakhshi ripped through his defences to clean bowl him for 2.

St Ronald stalwart Stephen came to join his captain and played watchfully, but the innings stagnated as St Ronald blocked out Vijapur as he closed with 2 for 24 from 12 in a brilliant spell.  They couldn’t get new bowler Roland Knudson away either and Bakhshi continued to fire down the dot balls as St Ronald became stuck adding 6 runs in 8 overs to creep up to 78 for 8.  Finally the pressure took it’s toll as Bode threw the kitchen sink at a short delivery but only managed to sky it high ino the offside, McDonald called it early and claimed a fine tumbling catch as FPs sensed victory.  It duly arrived soon after as Bakhshi had Stephen plumb LBW for 3 as FPs celebrated an unlikely vicory.

FPs have now won 2 matches in a row but remain in the relegation places, but now at least have a chance of escape.  A faultless fielding display made a huge difference as all catches were claimed and despite only having 10 men, many runs were cut off by the lively Davey, Bakhshi and McDonald who once again claimed 3 catches.  However, it was Vijapur and Bakhshi who were the bowling heroes as Vijapur deserved far more than 2 wickets for the way he bowled and Bakhshi was simply brilliant leaving St Ronald with no answer.  FPs now face a tough game with Gordonians and both sides will sense it is a game they can win.

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.

FPs made 5 changes from Saturday, with Booth available again, Pehlaj Tenneti, Vijay, Goodenough and Johnston promoted from the 2nd XI. Skipper Knudson won the toss and had no hesitation in inviting Stonehaven to bat.

In an effort to try and bring a change of fortune, Ali Bahkshi was handed the new ball and the Australian was quickly on the mark, extracting bounce from a good length and showing great control. New ball partner Vijay also started well, giving very little to hit. With the pressure starting to mount Balsillie launched a fine straight six off Bakhshi, which instantly brought wicketkeeper Morrison up to the stumps.

However, the release of pressure was short lived as in his 5th over Vijay produced a good delivery to defeat Crozier bowling him for 14. He struck again in his next over Morrison making good ground to gather a faint glove from Hinchcliffe down the leg side, the batsman displaying great sportsmanship walking to depart for a duck. Vijay’s figures were getting better and better at 7.3 overs 3 for 6 when Balsillie got caught on the crease and was LBW for 15. Vijay then nearly had Campbell 1st ball, an inside edge narrowly missing leg stump and racing away to the boundary.

Bahkshi was continuing a good spell with limited luck but as so often happens, he produced a high full toss which was miscued to Booth who took a fine diving catch. The good catching continued in the next over, Vijay moving one away from Wathorn to be well held by Lord at slip for a duck. Stonehaven reeling at 48 for 5 from 20 overs, Bahkshi 10-1-32-1 and Vijay 10-5-16-4.

Roland and Sam Knudson replaced the bowled out openers and Sam struck in his second over, Vijay claiming a stunning catch in the gully to dismiss J Crozier for 5. Senior Knudson then got involved turning one sharply to bowl S Balsillie for 8. Sam Knudson then wrapped matters up quickly disposing of tail enders Gardener plumb LBW for 1 and clean bowling Findlay for 3. Stonehaven all out 82.

FPs decided to mix things up promoting Pehlaj to open with Lord and it was an inspired move as they combined to add 60 in 20 careful overs. Pehlaj dominating the stand, finding the boundary 6 times, mainly with clever leg side flicks before he went too far across to Wathorn and was bowled behind his legs for 32.

Sam Knudson was promoted to 3 and he and John Lord had FPs 7 runs from victory when Knudson miscued an attempted big hit and was well caught by Findlay off the bowling of Balsillie for 7. Booth got off the mark with an edge through the slips for 4, but he could not finish things in style either as a powerful drive was well held by Crozier, with FPs still 3 from victory. Thankfully John Lord finished things off in the next over driving for 4 to finish 24 not out as FPs claimed an early victory.

FPs will face either Mannofield or Bon Accord in the next round but their immediate focus will be on the league match next week with leaders Bon Accord, where FPs will hope they can build on this much improved display.

After some brief respite Eagles was then bowled for 6 by Deasi as FPs slid further to 27 for 5.  Khan and MacDonald then came together and at least did double the score, eventually hitting the 1st boundary in the 32nd over.  But just when it looked like FPs might manage something competitive, MacDonald guided Cowie straight to Jones to fall for 19, shortly after Khan fell for the same score, given LBW to spinner Kalyankrishan.

Bakhshi and Norwood then did add 17 runs in good time, before Prosser held Bakhshi on the boundary.  Sam Knudson attempted some big hits but was caught by Laird off Kalyankrishan for 5 ahead of James Lord also being caught by Laird off Cowie for 1.  FPs all out 87.

87 never looked like being enough, but FPs struck early, Stalker clean bowled for 5 by Sam Knudson.  It nearly got so much better in the next over as Laird was extremely close to being LBW from an in swinger from Lord, but much to FPs dismay the umpire said no. 

With Laird and Kancherla running well and attacking the bowling, FPs opted to turn to Eagles who straight away Laird launched for 6 before he appeared to be plumb LBW playing all round a straight ball but again the neutral umpire ruled not out, clearly to wicketkeeper Morrison and bowler Eagles complete astonishment.  However, FPs did not help themselves as off Bakhsi, the normally super reliable MacDonald dropped Kancherla at mid wicket, and then next ball Morrison standing up, dropped a top edge off one that Bakhshi dug in.

Laird continued his assault on Eagles who had his head in his hands as McDonald twice spilled chances on the boundary that he is reknowned for claiming.  With the game up Laird, hit one over for 18 off Eagles.  FPs thought they at least had a consolation when off Bakhshi’s bowling, Morrison cunningly stumped Kancherla who had wandered out of his ground, only for the batsmen to be  reprieved by a not out decision to the FP fielders horror.  It pretty well summed up the afternoon and Laird completed his fine innings of 44 not out with another 6 as Kintore ended finished on 90 for 2. 

Despite a number of reprieves, Laird showed the correct attitude when chasing a low score and took advantage of the chances he was given.  However, the game was won by Laird and Jones’ fine 1st innings bowling and FPs slow scoring and if FPs are to recover this season they will need to find their batting and catching form.  FPs take on Stonehaven in the cup on Sunday before leaders Bon Accord next Saturday in matches they will not start as favourites.