Shire lose out again

Jun 20 2008

IT was four reversals in a row for Perthshire as they slumped to a 93-run defeat at the hands of a strong Forthill side.

The Broughty Ferry outfit narrowly escaped relegation last year but have benefitted from an influx of new players and now sit in the top three of the Union Premier Division.

Forthill won the toss and elected to bat. Shire were on top with Jamie Macintosh taking two early victims in Wallace and Weed, leaving Forthill on 26 for 2.

Pro Hayward and new Australian Petrie then took the score to 123 before Mitch McDonald and Robin Crouch took three quick wickets to keep Shire in the game.

Forthill kept attacking though and ended their 45 overs on 232 for 9.

Jamie MacIntosh was pick of the bowlers with 2 for 29 in his nine overs.

Just prior to Forthill's innings ending, the heavens opened and the rain made for a fiery pitch as the Shire innings began.

The first over saw Ferguson score two boundaries before being dismissed off the fifth ball. Rajyaguru and Armstrong soon followed and Shire were 10 for 3.

Cue a marvellous knock of 77 from Scott Barnsley but, sadly, no Shire batsman could stay with him and, when Barnsley was ninth man out for 77, the score was 133 for 9.

An over later it was all over as Shire were all out for 139.

The 2nd XI game on Sunday was abandoned in late afternoon after the fourth heavy shower of the day.

Strathmore XI had scored 173 for 9 from thier 45 overs thanks to contributions of 40 and 57 from 1st XI batsmen Hewitson and Gourlay.

Samir Rajyaguru bowled well to take 2 for 15 off nine overs and pick of the youngsters was Douglas Meikle with 1 for 24.

When Shire batted, openers Rajyaguru and Hird raced to 75 from 15 overs but both fell for 34.

The score was 90 for 2 and Shire were well in control when rain intervened and the skippers reluctantly agreed to abandon the game.

Shire's youngsters continue to show promise, with Craig and Douglas Meikle, Paul and Keith Wigley, Robert Thomson and Craig Ruthven all making good progress.

There is only one game this weekend with Shire making the short trip north to take on Meigle. The team is:

Meigle v Perthshire at Victory Park Sat 21st June - G Ferguson (Capt), R Crouch, S Barnsley, J MacIntosh, F McGaffney, T Brown, G Haddow, S Hird, P Chavan, K Khalil, S Rajyaguru. R McPhee (Scorer) Players Meet at Gannochy Pavilion 11.30 prompt.

Strathearn Sharks CC

OUTDOOR coaching for Strathearn Juniors continues on Monday evening (weather permitting) at Doo’cot Park, Perth, with a 6.15pm start through to 8pm.

Any new boys or girls aged 9 years (or who will be 9 during 2008) and upwards who wish to attend will be made welcome on the night.

Qualified coaches will be in attendance each week and in addition to the junior training on Monday evenings, there is a full programme of fixtures at U-13 and U-15 level in the Fife Junior League during the season.

Two fixtures are scheduled for next week. There is a home match with Stirling County U-13s on Thursday at Doo’cot Park (6.15pm start). A team for this game will be arranged on Monday evening.

The U15s are in action away to Falkland on Wednesday evening. Players for this match will also be selected at training on Monday evening and those chosen should meet at the Cherrybank Inn at 5.20pm.

For the younger brigade (up to 11 years old) we will be participating in the local Kwik Cricket Festivals organised by Perth and Kinross Cricket Development Officer Andrew Lawson on Sunday mornings.

The next scheduled festival is on Sunday, June 29, and is hosted by Glendelvine CC at Spittalfield. Players who will be available for this date should advise the coaches on Monday evening.

Parents are reminded that children should be collected no later than 8.15pm on Monday evenings.

Strathearn CC (Sponsored by The Cherrybank Inn)

Strathearn lost further ground at the top of the table at the weekend when losing by five wickets at home to Dundee High School XI.

With an ideal batting surface, captain Ivor Patterson won the toss and opted to bat. However, steady High School bowling ensured the home side never got off to a flying start .

Both opening bowlers were disciplined in line and length which was backed up by the change bowlers.

Only Gordon McKinnie really broke the shackles with 77 and the run rate was swiftly increased when rain brought the players off.

The delay had its effect on the scoring tempo and a closing 200-3 was maybe 20-30 short despite Jack Henderson’s bright 48 not out at the end. In reply High School did get a flyer, finding the quicker bowling a lot easier on the Doo’cot surface.

Despite removing both openers in a short space of time around the 50 mark and taking out danger man Kevin Ancell with a fortunate run out, the home side were never in control of the High School run rate.

The main beneficiary was Zulfi Ali who survived four chances to see home his side in the 44th over with an unbeaten knock of 82, well supported by his middle order colleagues.

Sunday’s fixture with Brechin at Doo’cot was disrupted by afternoon showers before eventually falling victim to heavy evening rain with visitors Brechin in control.

Strathearn XI batted first and after a reasonable start, found themselves in trouble at 71-5.

However an entertaining stand of 98 between Callum Laing (47) and Alisitair Mearns (63 – a first senior 50) got the scorecard back on track and, despite some late wickets, a respectable total of 202-8 was posted.

Barker and Taylor were ruthless against the young Strathy attack as they raced to 155 after 26 overs.

However, the frequent rain delays were making conditions rather treacherous and, with the batsmen and fielders slipping on numerous occasions, the players eventually had to give in to the elements, much to the visitors’ frustration.

This weekend’s fixtures see Strathearn play host to fellow challengers Breadalbane at Doo’cot Park (players meet at 12.15pm) whilst on Sunday Strathearn XI are also at home to a Largo Development XI in a friendly with players asked to meet at Doo’cot Park for 12.30pm. On Wednesday evening Strathearn face Forthill in the semi final of the 3 Counties Cup at neutral Meigle. Call Mike Young on 01738 860085 / 07740 638456.

RESULTS: Strathmore & Perthshire Cricket Union Div.1 , Doo’cot Park,Saturday – Strathearn (10pts) 200-3 (G McKinnie 77, J Henderson 48 not out, A Hussain 25), Dundee High School FP XI (25pts) 201-5 (

Z Ali 82 not out, M Saghir 26, P Scott 25 not out).

Strathmore & Perthshire Cricket Union Div.2 , Doo’cot Park, Sunday – Strathearn XI 202-8 (A Mearns 63, C Laing 47, K Coutts 3-26), Brechin 155-1 (G Taylor 62 not out, S Barker 45 not out, D Beaton 28). Match abandoned due to rain