Doo’cot celebrate a return to form

Perth Doo’cot bounced back to form with a flourish in a double-winning weekend.

Saturday’s league visitors were Mannofield and, on a wicket that had clearly benefited from the dry weather, they set an imposing target of 202-9 in their 45 overs.

Not for the first time, Ivor Patterson was the pick of the home bowlers with 3-40 with skipper Kash Khalil taking 2-39.

It was a solid performance on a pitch where 250 could have been achievable.

Given the Perth side’s recent batting difficulties, the visitors were quietly confident but that confidence did not last.

Openers Naeem and Ali attacked from the off, aided by some wayward bowling, and their opening partnership of 73 took less than 12 overs.

Naeem was out for 51 and Ali 21 but Tyler Ridder and Rizwan Akbar kept the scoreboard racing along at almost a run a ball.

The Perth side passed their target in less than 35 overs to secure a victory that will give them a boost for the coming weeks.

Akbar was 44 not out and Ridder was out for 26.

That confidence carried on into Sunday’s CS Challenge against visitors Helensburgh.

Despite early morning rain, it was another wicket that suited the batsmen and Khalil was surprised when the visiting captain won the toss and invited Perth to bat.

Naeem, Ridder and Akbar were on form again with 36, 23 and 54 respectively supported by Stuart McCreanor (22) and Trevor Brown (24) in a total of 228 all out from 40 overs.

Khalil opted to go for youth with his bowlers and they responded well by dismissing Helensburgh for 108 in 29 overs.

McCreanor topped off a fine all round display with 3-18 as did Ridder with 3-6.

Rory Pennycook, Jack McCreanor and Khyamm Sarral also took wickets in a good team performance.

The next round sees the Perth side travel to Glasgow to play Victoria Cricket Club on June 24.

The 2nd XI and 3rd XI did not fare so well at the weekend.

It was a day to forget for the seconds who were well beaten by Rossie Priory at Inchture by 10 wickets despite a battling 33 not out by Paddy Murray. The thirds put up more of a fight on Sunday, only losing by 10 runs away to an experienced Doune side.

Young Oliver Patterson followed in the family footsteps as pick of the bowlers with 2-44 while Nilesh Ahuja (40), Scott McKenzie (38) and Gordon McKinnie (32) almost snatched a win.

This weekend, the Perth first squad are back in Aberdeen to take on Gordonians and the seconds take on St Modans at Doo’cot Park.

Callander are the visitors to Doo’cot on Sunday.

Results: Perth Doo’cot 1st XI 203-5 (Naeem 51, Akbar 44 not out) bt Mannofield 202-9 (I Patterson 3-40) by five wickets.

Perth Doocot 1st XI 228 all out (Akbar 54, Naeem 36) bt Helensburgh 108 all out (S McCreanor 3-18, T Ridder 3-6) by 120 runs.

Perth Doo’cot 2nd XI 68 all out lost to Rossie Priory 69-0 by 10 wickets.

Perth Doo’cot 3rd XI 170 all out (N Ahuja 40, S McKenzie 38) lost to Doune 180-6 (O Patterson 2-44) by 10 runs.