Fine batting on display in reduced-over home victory Neave leads way to Meigle victory

Meigle Cricket Club’s first XI took full advantage of all the other S&PCU North East Championship games falling victim to the weather by defeating Strathmore by 67 runs on a grey day at Victory Park.

Meigle skipper and overseas player/coach Matty Farmer, who may be in his last weeks in the role, won the toss and surprised the visitors by electing to bat.

The Black and Golds opened up with Charles Clark and Iain Stewart. Strathie went for outand-out pace, with Kiwi Loon Sean Wilkie tearing in from the Balmacron end and bowling an impressive spell.

Kris Grant bowled a nagging line and length, with Strathmore and Perthsire Union Select XI keeper Matty Simpson up to the stumps keeping the pressure on.

After a solid start Stewart made way on 19 before S&PCU Select all-rounder Alan Neave walked to the crease to start an innings that was key to the win.

Neave made 49 with only three boundaries.

The bounce at the pavilion end was not as consistent as the Balmacron end, which was coming through nicely.

However, the lack of boundaries was a lot to do with the damp outfield not letting the ball run freely.

Some fine batting from Steve Knight and Farmer and a cameo from Tom Duff saw Meigle to 153 for nine in their 35 overs.

The game was reduced in overs due to a late start because of the morning’s downpour.

Strathie were in T20 mode, going for the total, but captain Farmer took early wickets.

Clark could not match his canny batting performance and was changed for multiple S&PCU bowling aggregate and averages cup winner Denis Christie.

The changed worked, with Christie doing what he did for the first XI for many years, bowling a nagging line and length with the keeper up to the stumps and forcing the batsman into an error.

Three for 20 from seven overs was a fine return as, after visiting pro Stevenson fell for 23 and Simpson for 19, a lot rode on Nigel Hazel junior, one of the area’s finest batsmen of the past 25 years.

Youngster Josh Edington may not know much of the reputation of such players as his onehanded pick-up and throw was of international class as he threw down one stump to dismiss the Strathie talisman.

The experienced Roland Thorne showed a cool head to see the game out with two of his brisk lows skidding on and claiming LBWs to see the Loons all out for 86 in 22.3 overs.

The match ball sponsor was the Kinloch Arms Hotel.

Meigle next host Stoneywood/ Dyce in an intriguing clash.

The outfit were relegated from the Cricket Scotland East Premier League last season but have only lost once in the league, to secondplaced Gordonians.

Meigle, in third spot, will be able to make up ground if they see off the Stoneys and Perth Doo’cot get a positive result against Gordos.

Meigle hope to welcome back Peter Drummond, Neil Wimberley and, if work commitments allow, opening bowler Jamie Morrison.

Meigle’s second string are away to Dalnacraig XI on Sunday, when they hope to be able to push again for top spot in the Sunday S&PCU Central league.

The in-form Gordon Croll and off-spin of Murray Scott will be key on Dalnacraig’s erratic and spin-friendly surface.

Edington was of intermational class as he disnissed the Strathie talisman