Meigle dig out win

Meigle were made to work for their victory against already relegated Stoneywood/Dyce II at Victory Park on Saturday in the SPCU Championship match (sponsored by DY Robertson, Cookston Farm, Eassie).

Captain Matty Farmer won the toss and the visitors were inserted. A good early spell from Iain Stewart saw just one wicket, with a late in swinger rearranging the stumps of the Dyce opener.

Despite bowling good pace, Alan Neave could not dislodge veteran Mark Lambley, who scored a half century before Charles Clark got him caught by mid off from a slower delivery.

Tommy Hales returned to bowl his left arm spinners and although not looking at his best he clean bowled the visiting overseas player after he had been dropped at slip by Clark, though Clark showed his resilience by taking two catches later in the innings.

Skipper Farmer bowled as quick a spell as he has all season and it tested young wicket keeper Fergus Barron, not 15 until the turn of the month.

Stoneywood Dyce II ended on 161 for 8, aided by a 5-run penalty for the ball hitting the helmet due to a wild throw-in ricocheting off the keeper.

Meigle had as long a batting line up as it has seen all season, with no obvious number 11. This however did not stop Meigle slumping to 20 for 4 before a high quality showing from Steve Knight saw him amass 86 not out, though he did give three tough chances to the slip cordon who could not hold him.

Knight was aided by 32 not out from Pete Drummond as Meigle made it to 131 for 4 from 35 overs to win by 16 runs via the SPCU Rain Calculator method.

Meigle firm up second place and have been offered by Cricket Scotland the Eastern Premier League play off spot against the ESCA Championship winners, who will be either SMRH or RH Corstorphine on Saturday, September 30 at Freuchie, with a 12 noon start.

This Saturday sees Meigle play their final league game at Dundee HSFP with Doug Scott Agri Engineering match ball sponsor. Meigle’s end-of-season ceilidh and awards will be held at the Red House Hotel, Coupar Angus from 7pm on Saturday, September 17. Tickets are £8 adults and £5 for children, available from Ruth Neave or Elaine Sturrock, tel. 07709223310. There is a raffle on the night with some top prizes.