CUP FINAL AGONY FOR MEIGLE CC
Early wickets not enough to secure victory
There was heartache once again for Meigle after the local side were beaten by Gordonians in Sunday’s Three Counties Cup final.
The loss at Perth’s Doo’cot Park means it’s the fifth time the Black and Golds have lost a cup final since 2013 and the side’s second consecutive cup final loss this year.
There were, however, positives to take from the day as the men from Victory Park won a place in the final after negotiating their way past Forthill in the T20 tournament’s semi-final played earlier in the day.
Disciplined bowling and an excellent fielding performance saw the Ferry men 68 all out, with Meigle captain Matty Farmer taking five for nine and Iain Stewart and Charles Clark sharing two apiece.
Stewart claimed the scalp of talented Scotland prospect Rory Johnston and Clark put paid to the ever-dangerous ex-Dumfries starlet Richard Rennie.
It was not plain sailing for Meigle as they stumbled towards a low total, losing Roly Thorne on only the second ball to Graeme Black’s off-spin.
Neil Wimberely was looking good for his 23 until he chipped one up to Aussie star man Nic Green.
It was left to the experienced duo of Peter J Drummond and Iain Stewart to see Meigle to 69 for seven.
The final was against Gordonians, who had thumped Meigle at Victory Park in the league 24 hours previously and also defeated the Black and Golds in last year’s Three Counties final, held at the same venue.
Meigle looked to be scoring too slowly but were faced with some quality spin bowling and a steady fielding outfit.
A knock of 32 not out from Peter J Drummond gave Meigle a total of 106 for seven, which was deemed competitive – particularly considering 75 all out looked a distinct possibility at one stage.
Skipper Farmer opened up with spin at both ends and Murray Scott again impressed.
Early wickets gave hope, as did some pedestrian run-scoring overs in the middle overs, but the Meigle attack gave periodic freebies and man of the match Krutik Patel, the Gorodonians’ overseas player, saw the Countesswells side to a third trophy in 12 months.
Meigle’s last hope of silverware comes with the league title and the Premier League play off spot that goes with it.
The club has batsmen and bowlers in the top five in the individual rankings who, if they can perform more consistently, could provide the basis for a late charge in the league championship race.
However, the club’s squad has been tested in recent weeks and more strength in depth is needed while the promising juniors in the youth section have time to develop further in Bob Edington’s second XI and the U15 side.