Doo’cotfall shortagainst Falklandside

Perth Doo’cot continue to have one eye on the wrong end of the table after losing by seven wickets against league leaders Falkland on Saturday.

The welcome return to form with the bat was maintained as, batting first, the Fair City side posted a respectable 190 for eight in their 45 overs.

Pro Rizwan Akbar top-scored with 51 and Jack McCreanor knocked a useful 30. When Akbar and McCreanor then took an early wicket each, Falkland were 32-2.

But pro Nawalage and former pro Strachan - now qualified as Scottish under residency rules - consolidated and then took the attack to a tiring set of Perth bowlers.

Ultimately, the total was reached for the loss of only one more wicket with four overs to spare.

At Doo’cot, the second XI were completing a double over league leaders St Andrews University Staff with an exciting 21 run victory.

The Perth side scored 177-9 with Grant Anderson top-scoring with 53 supported well by Jamie Koo on 33 and 14-year-old Alex Turlik who was 17 not out.

Koo then took four quick wickets to leave Doo’cot on top before visiting captain Jim Crooks and Patrick Jess threatened to spoil the party.

However, another 14-year-old, Iain Chalmers, took two crucial wickets before 16-year-old Tass Hussain had Crooks caught on the boundary for his fourth wicket.

It was an excellent display by the team who sit a healthy fifth in the table.

On Sunday, the third XI lost narrowly by seven runs to Stirling. The visitors compiled 140 from 40 overs with young Oliver Patterson taking 3-13.

The Perth batsmen came close but just fell short despite fine knocks by Ali Blair, Rory Pennycook and Luke Wyatt.

Tomorrow sees the first XI visit Arbroath and a win would see the Perth side avoid any relegation dog fight, while relegating their hosts in the process.

Then, on Sunday, they play Leith at Doo’cot in the CS Challenge Cup following the disqualification of Forres for playing ineligible players.

The second XI take to the field on Saturday and are at home to Dundee HSFP XI. On Sunday the third XI travel to play St Modans.

Results: Perth Doo’cot 1st XI 190-8 (R Akbar 51, J McCreanor 30) lost to Falkland 191-3 (H Nawalage 81no) by seven wickets.

Perth Doo’cot 2nd XI 177-9 (G Anderson 53, J Koo 33, J Crooks 4-21) bt SAUCC 156 (J Crooks 79, J Koo 4-47, T Hussain 4-8) by 21 runs.

Perth Doo’cot 3rd XI 133 (A Blair 27, R Pennycook 26, L Wyatt 18) lost to Stirling 140 (Anderson 41no, O Patterson 3-13) by seven runs.