Mixed fortune for the Shire faithful

Jun 13 2008

IT was a mixed weekend again for Perthshire as the 1st XI suffered a six- wicket defeat in Aberdeen whilst a young (ish!) 2nd XI won their fixture against Arbroath XI by 36 runs.

Mannofield have had a great start to the year and they were always likely to represent a tough task for yet another Perthshire team missing a couple of regulars.

Graham Ferguson finally won the toss and elected to bat. He and fellow opener Scott Barnsley put on an opening partnerhsip of 68 before Ferguson fell to a fantastic catch by ex-Scotland International Kevin Thomson for a quickfire 38.

Shire's main issue this year, apart from the season opener, has been the ability to consolidate in the middle part of the innings.

From 68 for 1 in 17 overs, Shire slumped to 92 for 5 before Trevor Brown found form to score 39 not out, including a mammoth six off Thomson.

Shire were finally dismissed for only 149 in 41 overs, probably 50-60 short of a respectable total.

Mannofield attacked from the off but the Shire bowlers stuck to their task and the hosts were 61 for 3 in 21 overs.

They could not sustain the pressure though and Lewis and Suvra regained the initiative adding 70 before Haddow removed Suvra. Mannofield suffered no more setbacks as they passed Shire's total with 8 overs left.

On Sunday, the 2nd XI scored 168 for 9 in their 45 overs with Paresh Patel top scoring with 58 not out. 14 year old Robert Thomson also batted really well for his 18 as he added 65 with Patel.

Shire's bowlers were always on top and with five of the Clubs U-16s bowling half of the overs and taking four wickets, it was yet another promising day for the 2nd XI. Craig Ruthven took three for 19 in his five overs.

Forthill are tomorrow's visitors to the Inch and then on Sunday, Strathmore XI come to Perth to take on the 2nd XI. Teams: 1st XI v Forthill XI at North Inch Sat 14/6/08 - From G Ferguson, S Barnsley, S Rajyaguru, P Chavan, J McIntosh, G Haddow, C Bayne, D Armstrong, P Patel, R Crouch, M McDonald, D Maxwell, S Hird. R McPhee (Scorer) Players meet 11.30 prompt at Gannochy.

2nd XI v Strathearn on Sun 15/6/08 - From D Armstrong, G Ferguson, S Hird, S Rajyaguru, P Chavan, P Wigley, K Wigley, R Thomson, C Meikle, D Meikle, P Patel, K Khalil, C Ruthven R McPhee (Scorer)Players meet 11.45 prompt at Gannochy Pavilion

Perthshire exited the 3 Counties Cup on Tuesday when they lost to Strathearn. The absence of Barnsley, Crouch, McGaffney, Haddow, Brown and Patel proved too much but take nothing away from an excellent all-round performance from Strathearn with bat and ball

Only Jamie Mackintosh could take any credit from the match with 1 for 24 and 61 not out.

Strathearn 164 for 4, Perthshire 117 for 5.