A very bad day at the office for Doo’cot

Perth Doo’cot remain stuck in mid-table after a chastening defeat away to high-flying Gordonians on Saturday afternoon.

It was a failure to set a promising total, followed by a brutal attack on Perth bowlers by batsmen, which saw the game finished by 5pm.

The wicket was challenging but 88 all out was once again well short of a par total. No matter the batting positions that captain Rory Pennycook employs, an unwillingness to graft and spend time at the wicket remains an issue for the Perth batsmen.

Only Jamal Ali with 23 offered any real resistance as teenage spinner Hegde returned figures of 6-16 from eight overs. This is the second time in three weeks that an opposition spinner has taken six wickets and should serve as a signal to the Fair City batsmen as to what needs to be worked on at training.

In response, Gordonians’openers decided there was no reason for defence. They attacked from the off and took a mere seven overs to reach their target with Ahmed falling for a rapid 40 and Arora 34 not out. A very bad day at the office for the first XI.

The second XI’s game against St Andrews Uni Staff was called off late morning due to steady drizzle.

This year’s unusual fixture list in SPCU Division One means the match can be played tomorrow instead, much to the relief of the two skippers who agreed to postpone the game only to see the rain stop and the sun come out half an hour later.

Star of the show at the weekend was Musakhar Rehman who scored an unbeaten century at Brechin on Sunday in the Recreational and Development League match. He retired unbeaten on 102 after an excellent knock in a total of 201 all out.

The Perth bowlers then followed up on his good work by dismissing their hosts for only 50 with Owais Razzak taking 4-7 and Ali Blair 2-2.

It’s a packed schedule this weekend with the first XI travelling to play Falkland on Saturday while the second XI try again with St Andrews Uni Staff.

And on Sunday, the third XI entertain Stirling and it is also hoped Stirling ladies will travel to play Perth Doo’cot ladies in an eight-a-side T20 match.

The ladies side of the club is making progress and has been a big success in 2021 after a number of attempts at launching a girls and ladies section.

Last week, Doo’cot hosted a Wee Bash tournament with teams from Strathmore and Stirling and, despite the rain, an excellent night was had by all. More fixtures will be sought this summer and in 2022.