For the first time this season, AGSFP’s 2nd XI fielded a weakened side with only 10 players being available for the visit of Arrowdawn Gordonians to Rubislaw.
Into the FP’s team following the Methlick defeat came James Lord, Aaron McLeod, Sandeep and Melvin Joy, who joined Johnston, Magesh, Rama, Pehlaj and Karthik in the starting line up to play in a match which if lost, would mean FP’s would be in deep relegation trouble.
The toss resulted in Gordonians being invited to bat first on a bright afternoon, the outfield dry but still soft in places.
Lord opened the bowling from the New Bowling Machine End, with Karthik bowling from the Pavilion End. Both bowlers took a few overs to find their line and length and it was Karthik who took the first wicket when he had Aggarwal out plumb LBW for 14 (1 x 4), Gordonians 26 – 1 off 7.5 overs.
New batsman Narula had scored an excellent 69 against FP’s in the washed out match at Countesswells earlier in the season, but Karthik ensured there would be no repeat act when he bowled a perfect outswinger to the left hander, the batsman edging to first slip where Rama took an excellent low catch. Gordonians 26 – 2, off 8 overs.
Runs were coming slowly for Gordonians, wides being the top scorer and the pressure finallty told during Karthik’s fifth maiden over in a row as opener Peerless was bowled by a great delivery for 6, Gordonians 46 – 3 off 21.4 overs.
Thomson joined Butt in the middle, but Karthik bowled another great delivery which was edged behind where Pehlaj took an easy catch, Gordonians now wobbling on 46 – 4 off 23.3 overs. Karthik had bowled a magnificent spell of 12 – 5 – 29 – 4, taking 2 – 4 in his last 6 overs.
Batsmen Butt and Prittipti batted more aggressively adding 49 runs until Magesh had Prittipti out LBW for 9 (1 x 4), Gordonians 95 – 5 off 30.2 overs.
Rahul replaced Magesh and his slow bowling soon tempted Butt to advance down the wicket, only to be sharply stumped by Pehlaj for 38 (3 x 4), Gordonians 112 – 6 off 34.1 overs.
FP’s looked to be on top soon after when Rahul, having just been hit for 6 by Khan, kept his cool and bowled the batsman next ball for 10 (1 x 6), Gordonians 135 – 7 off 38.3 overs. Joy had been bowling from the Pavilion End, but was unlucky on several occasions swinging the ball too far for the batsman but too far for the umpire as well and was replaced by Magesh.
Despite having taken two quick wickets, Rahul was replaced with opener Lord. Unfortunately, the quicker the ball was bowled, the quicker the ball left the bat and Methu and skipper Jones turned the match around as they blitzed 73 runs off the last 7 overs with some great aggressive hitting. The nine outfielders were spread far and wide for the last few overs as Gordonians batted FP’s out of the game and after the maximum allowed 46 overs, Gordonians ended on 208 – 7. Not out batsmen Methu hit a powerful 60 (2 x 6, 2 x 4) and Jones scored 25 (2 x 6, 1 x 4).
Karthik was by far FP’s best bowler, 12 – 5 – 29 – 4, Rahul 4 – 0 – 20 – 2, Magesh 12 – 1 – 67 – 1, Joy 7 – 0 – 35 – 0. Extras were second top scorer with 44.
At 135 – 7 off 39 overs, FP’s had visions of a victory, but the Gordonians counter attack meant it would take something special by FP’s against a strong bowling line up to win the game.
FP’s opening batsmen Rama and Pehlaj began cautiously against the Gordonians attack of Narula and Prittipti. A steady supply of wides and no-balls kept the score moving. After 10 overs FP’s were 29 – 0, but Rama showed some controlled aggression when he drove the first ball of Thomson’s spell for a magnificent, if unexpected, straight 6. Thomson had his revenge next over when Rama edged behind and Butt took an easy catch. FP’s 46 – 1 off 12.2 overs. This was easily FP’s best opening stand of the season.
Karthik was promoted to number 3 and looked to be settling in well when Thomson had him caught at cover for 9, FP’s 63 – 2 off 20.4 overs. With 6 an over required off 23 overs and the bowlers giving nothing away, it did not take FP’s long to realise that the draw was the best option for this game, which would keep Gordonians at the foot of Grade 2 and FP’s out of the bottom two places.
As a result, batsman Johnston played a dour, defensive innings, but Pehlaj continued to hit any bad ball for runs. The third wicket stand raised 58 runs without too many scares and the game petered out as a draw.
Pehlaj battled through the complete innings ending a well deserved 55 not out, hitting two great 6’s over mid wicket and finding the boundary twice. Johnston ended not out 11, FP’s 121 – 2 off 44 overs. Best bowling for Gordonians was Thomson with 2 – 30.
FP’s total was never up with the scoring rate and with a relatively inexperienced 10 man batting line up against a good Gordonians attack, the run chase was never on after the first 10 overs. FP’s can be well pleased with the outcome, taking 16 points and actually moving up the table.
Man of the Match – Pehlaj, batted through the innings ensuring the draw, scored 55 not out took a sharp stumping.
Champagne Moment – Rama’s straight 6 off Thomson’s first ball