Frustrated Cox seeking

Aberdeenshire fail to earn pass marks as Heriot’s take victory

Frustrated Aberdeenshire coach David Cox will demand his middle-order batsmen take more responsibility as they head into the second half of their Eastern Premier campaign.

Shire’s season has been a rollercoaster ride and it took a downward lurch with the defeat to Heriot’s at Mannofield on Saturday.

Cox said: “It was a very poor result, coming on the back of recent positive performances.”

The hosts won the toss and sent in the Edinburgh outfit, who reached 192 for nine.

At 97 for one, Cox’s side appeared to be cruising, only for the wheels to come off in depressing fashion.

Shire surrendered their remaining nine wickets for only 60 runs, with only Chris Ngoepe (89) providing any meaningful resistance.

Cox added: “The middle order imploded with some poor shot-selection. There was a strong performance from Chris, but only opener Kenny Reid (33) was able to offer him any support.

“The players in the middle order have to start taking much more responsibility. They can’t keep leaving it to someone else.”

On the display with the ball, Cox said: “Jarod van Blerk took three for 21, and Chris Venske was economical, giving away only 23 in his 10 overs.

“However, there were too many careless extras, which always proves costly. We had them 40 for three and 130 for six, but were unable to capitalise on either position with more poor decision-making.

“Now we have reached the half way point, we know where we stand.

“There needs to be some open and honest assessment of performances.

“Having a middle order averaging less than 15 per man isn’t good enough.”

Falkland captain Stuart Campbell hailed his inexperienced team for refusing to throw in the towel as they suffered the most comprehensive defeat in Scottish competitive cricket history.

His predecessor Ryan Hepburn insisted the longterm prospect for the Fifers are bright, thanks to their thriving youth policy.

Just when Falkland began to think the season could not possibly get even worse, along came George Munsey and Mike Carson.

The Watsonians pair smashed a series of records to floor the league strugglers at Scroggie Park.

Munsey smashed 220 and Carson hit 167 in a stand that propelled Sonians to 440 for three – and the biggest ever winning margin – as the home side was skittled for 124 and a 316-run losing margin.

Campbell said: “George and Mike were brilliant and they made it incredibly hard for our bowlers and fielders, who never gave up.

“Some of the ball-striking was the cleanest I have ever witnessed.”

Hepburn stressed there is light at the end of the tunnel and said: “We lost a few players at the start of season and they haven’t been replaced.

“With additional injuries, work and university commitments it has been a real struggle. We have had to throw young players in at the deep end and they are finding it tough.

“It is very much a transition period for the club, but our junior section from under 15s down are thriving.

“It will, however, be a few years before we see this impacting our first team squad. The attitude and effort is still really good and although we know some of our players are not Premiership standard, it is good exposure for them with the future in mind.”

“Middle order have to start taking much more responsibility”