Prash Poosappadi produced an inspired spell of bowling tearing through the top order of Gordonians with 6 for 25 as FPs finally stopped the death spiral of defeats with a comfortable 83 run win. FPs total of 246 should have been many more having been 178 for 1 in 27 overs but Mike Nattrass’ 69 and George Gill’s 66 ensured that FPs had plenty. An improved fielding display also helped FPs to a morale boosting win.
FPs made 4 changes with Gill, Javaid, Murray and Knudson returning. Agha Haider captained the side to mix things up as FPs lined up Keith, Nattrass, Gill, Haider, Swiergon, Sood, Morrison (w), Javaid, Murray, Prash and Knudson. Haider lost the toss and was asked to bat to his team mates pleasure. Haider had planned to bowl quoting various key statistics of bowling 1st on the Countesswells deck.
FPs started strongly and Keith was in fine form, cruising to 36 with 8 boundaries with minimal difficulty when he was surprised by an excellent delivery from Pandit and gloved behind, FPs 52 for 1 from 11. It brought Gill to the crease and he opened with a magnificent cover drive and didn’t look back as he and Nattrass scored freely all round the wicket in an excellent partnership both regularly finding the boundary. Nattrass was particularly severe on anything short hitting 9 fours and a six. Gill played magnificently and looked likely to make a ton with 8 fours and a spiraling straight six but departed against the run of play, sweeping straight to short fine leg as Virk broke the 126 run stand.
Nattrass and Haider then got a bit becalmed by some Virk bowling and Nattrass fell to a good catch by the keeper, hitting the slow bowler straight up to depart for an excellent 66. In the pursuit for quick runs FPs lost Haider for 17, Sood for 2, Morrison for 2 and Javaid for a duck. Swiergon though did hit a brisk 25 with support from Murray before being run out. Murray 3no and Prash scrambled some late runs as FPs ended on 246 for 9. Virk the pick of the home bowlers with 5 wickets.
It appeared a good total but with a fast outfield it was certainly chaseable. Gill opened the bowling and struggled for rhythm but the inspired choice of Knudson’s offspin at the other end pushed Gordonians behind the rate quickly, Knudson conceding just 10 in his opening 5 overs. Crucially for the home side they had 10 wickets still in hand but 2 overs of Prash soon changed things as he took 3 wickets in his 1st 9 balls. 1st up he forced Pandit to play on to a delivery that jagged back for 17 and he quickly dispatched Kistareddy for 5, Murray claiming a brilliant diving catch in the gully. He had a 3rd when another ball jagged back and Rana played on for 1 as FPs took control at 43 for 3.
Gordonians then consolidated as FPs missed chances off Haider and FPs started to struggle. A drinks break reinvigorated FPs and Gill took a great catch on the boundary to get rid of Devadas for an excellent 53 and Prash had 5 when Morrison snapped up an edge from Parkar. Haider joined the party as Javaid claimed a good catch at mid on as FPs closed in.
Prash still had time for another as he pinned Shaikh in from of middle for 1 as Gordonians slipped to 105 for 7. Prash finished his spell of 7 overs 6 for 25, some confusion about how many overs he had bowled. Sood and Javaid took over and both created chances, Nattrass taking a good low catch at short cover to remove Mukhopayhya for 19. Gill then ran out Patel by yards to put FPs within 1 wicket of victory. The next ball it arrived Virk playing on to Sood for a 1st ball duck.
Overall it was a strong team effort from FPs with committed fielding, bowling and batting and an excellent team spirit during the tougher parts of the innings. It was a deserved win and cheered many of the side who have turned out week after week in what has been a challenging season. Next up is a very tough encounter with in form Bon Accord at the Links.
Bowling wise the figures for FPs were Gill 4-0-20-0, Knudson 6-1-20-0, Prash 7-0-25-6, Haider 4-1-31-1, Sood 5-0-23-2, Javaid 3-0-22-0.
Man of the Match
Prash – well deserved. Great to see him get some reward as he puts so much into the club and the team every week.
Champagne Moment
Getting the 1st win of the season – it has been long overdue. Well done to all involved.
