Heavy rain puts hex on the Shire

May 23 2008

PERTHSHIRE’S stop-start season continued last week with the late call-off of their Premier Division fixture at Cupar.

The call was made at 11am after inspection of the Cupar wicket following Friday night's heavy rain. That leaves Shire sitting mid-table having only played two of the four scheduled fixtures.

With no scheduled 2nd XI fixture last week, it was a free weekend for the seniors. However, it has been a busy week for the U15s with two matches against strong Freuchie and Dunfermline sides.

The U-15s got off to a winning start against Freuchie. The Perth youngsters scored 84 for 4 from their 20 overs with Keith Wigley top-scoring with 33 not out.

The Shire bowlers were on top from the outset of the Freuchie innings and dismissed their visitors for only 39 in just over 17 overs. Calum Dodd took 3 for 4 whilst Fraser Marshall took 3 for 2.

They found it harder on Monday when they suffered a seven-wicket loss to a strong Dunfermline team dominated by three District players.

They batted very well to score 86 for 9 in their 20 overs. Graham Smith top-scored with 19 and was well supported by Abdul Samad and Craig Ruthven.

Shire stuck to their task though and took three late wickets before losing with five overs to spare.

The youngsters have two further games next week with the U-13s getting their season started away to Freuchie on Monday before the U-15s entertain Kinross on Wednesday.

It's very much a Perthshire and Rossie competition this weekend as the respective 1st XIs clash at the North Inch tomorrow before the 2nd XI do battle at Inchture.

Shire's teams for the weekend are:

1st XI v Rossie Priory at North Inch Sat 24/5/08 - From G Ferguson, D Armstrong, S Barnsley, S Rajyaguru, P Chavan, J McIntosh, G Haddow, C Bayne, T Brown, R Crouch, M McDonald. R McPhee (scorer). Players meet 11.30 prompt at Gannochy Pavilion.

2nd XI v Rossie Priory at Inchture Sun 25/5/08 - D Armstrong, S Rajyaguru, P Chavan, P Wigley, K Wigley, R Thomson, D Baird, C Meikle, D Meikle, P Patel, K Khalil. R McPhee (scorer). Players meet 11.45 prompt at Gannochy Pavilion.

STRATHEARN CC – Junior Section (Sponsored by PSPC) – Outdoor coaching for Strathearn Juniors continues on Monday evening at Doo’cot Park, Perth with a 6.15pm start through to 8pm.

Qualified coaches will be in attendance and in addition to junior training on Monday evenings, there is a full programme of fixtures at U13 and U15 in the Fife Junior League.

Next week’s fixtures are both away from home with the U15s travelling to face Largo on Tuesday whilst the U13s are guests of Clackmannan on Friday evening.

Teams for both games will be finalised at training on Monday evening. Players selected for both matches should meet at the Cherrybank Inn car park at 5.15pm.

For the younger brigade (up to 11) we will be participating in the local Kwik Cricket Festivals organised by Perth and Kinross cricket development officer, Andrew Lawson on Sunday mornings.

This weekend’s fixtures are both at home with Norwood the visitors tomorrow in Division 1 whilst on Sunday, Strathearn XI will play host to Crieff in Division 2. Players for both games should report at Doo’cot Park for 12.15pm.

On Tuesday evening, Strathearn play host to St Modans in the Three Counties Cup at Doo’cot Park with players selected asked to report at Doo’cot Park at 6pm.

Results: Strathmore and Perthshire Cricket Union Division 1 , Forthill, Sunday – Strathearn (25pts) 198-8 (R Kirkman 40, J Hill 34, C Oswald 25, J Brown 2-26), Forthill XI (10pts) 185-9 (I Potts 40not out, J Brown 37, T Dellaquaglia 2-34

Strathmore and Perthshire Cricket Union Division 2 , Union Park, Montrose, Sunday – Strathearn (3pts) 104 (C Laing 22, A Thorogood 3-14, S Kelly 3-28), Montrose (25pts) 110-0 (G A Hutchison 50 not out, K Christie 38 not out).

Fife Junior U13 League, Thursday – Kinross U13 108-5, Strathearn Sharks U-13 109-5 (W Dallas 27 ret, P Collins 22 not out). U13 Scottish Cup, Doo’cot Park, Wednesday, May 14 – Arbroath U13 99-1 (A Smith 31 ret, B Simpson 31 ret), Strathearn Sharks U13 98-7 (E Holmes 31 ret, P Collins 24, A Sharp 22, J Burnett 4-6).