Perthshire cricketers return to winning form

Jun 27 2008

PERTHSHIRE got back to winning ways last weekend with a hard-fought but deserved victory against local rivals Meigle.

Graham Ferguson won the toss and asked Meigle to bat on a reasonable wicket, a decision that paid early dividends as Samir Rajyaguru brilliantly run out danger man Elder before taking a fine catch to dismiss the other opener, Ralph Laing.

And when pro Raubenheimer struck Jamie MacIntosh to Scott Barnsley at gully, Meigle were 26 for 3.

They recovered very well thanks to veteran batsman Bill Scott who was well supported by youngsters Jamie Morrison and Ally Gilmour.

Meigle seemed well set on 107 for 4 from 31 overs but only five overs later were 111 for 8 as Frank McGaffney and Kash Khalil took two wickets apiece.

Denis Christie smashed a rapid 42 to take Meigle beyond 150 before Rajyaguru took the last two wickets to see Meigle bowled out for 161 in 44.2 overs.

This was easily Shire's most consistent performance in the field so far this season.

The Shire innings started badly as last week's batting hero, Scott Barnsley, was out without scoring, Rajyaguru and Trevor Brown also fell cheaply and Shire were 54 for 3 in 17 overs.

The match-winning partnership then took place between Graham Ferguson and Jamie MacIntosh and they progressed with minimal trouble to 122 for 3 in 25 overs with only four an over needed for victory.

One over later it was 122 for five as Ferguson was caught by Raubenheimer for 57 and he then spectacularly ran out McIntosh for 36.

With two new batsmen, it was anyone's game. Graham Haddow and Kask Khalil progressed but 21 runs were needed from four overs. The 42nd over proved key as Haddow took 11 runs from it and the game was over shortly afterwards as Khalil struck Scott for four and Shire were winners with nine balls spare. Haddow and Khalil were unbeaten on 20 and 18.

The 1st XI travel to Dundee tomorrow to take on Dundee High School in what will be a tough match. High School are riding high in the League helped by two Australian imports so only Shire's best will see them bring home the points. The 2nd XI are back in action when they make the trip to Brechin sitting a comfortable third in Division 2. The teams are:

1st XI v DHSFP at Dalnacraig Sat 28/6/08 - G Ferguson, S Barnsley, S Rajyaguru, P Chavan, J McIntosh, G Haddow, C Bayne, F McGaffney, R Crouch, M McDonald, S Hird. R McPhee (Scorer) Players meet 11.00 prompt at Gannochy Pavilion.

2nd XI v Brechin at Brechin on Sun 29/6/08 - From D Armstrong, G Ferguson, S Hird, S Rajyaguru, P Chavan, P Wigley, K Wigley, R Thomson, P Patel, C Ruthven, C Meikle, D Meikle. R McPhee (Scorer). Players meet 11.15am at Gannochy Pavilion