Fun in the sun as Meigle thrash their rivals
Meigle romped to a 200-run victory over local rivals Perth Doo’cot on Saturday.
Matthew Farmer lost the toss but was more than happy to accept the invitation from fellow Australian Jacob Walker to bat on Craig Mitchell’s wicket.
Paceman Walker had a dream start as Meigle were two wickets down for one run in the first over when Tom Hales played on and Johnny Lowe was yorked by a beauty of a delivery.
Alan Neave looked to rebuild the innings with Neil Wimberley as the sun shone – something which made the bowlers’jobs hard.
Neave was unlucky to be run out for 22 as Wimberley smashed the ball to cover point only for the fieldsman to drop the catch but throw down the stumps direct to leave Neave sprawled on the floor trying to make it home.
Wimberley went on to make a classy 76, with multiple boundaries struck through extra cover.
After such a sticky start it was a day for a captain’s innings and Farmer obliged with a trademark knock full of mammoth boundaries – 15 in total – to give him a second Meigle century, and a first in a competitive fixture.
Farmer was out for exactly 100 as visiting skipper Walker had him LBW with a decent slower ball.
Meigle ended their 45 overs on 297 for seven.
With one of the league’s top run scorers of the last decade in Graham Ferguson, as well as the talented Walker and Alex Pellin in the order, merged club Perth Doo’cot had a chance.
Ferguson punished any bad ball and the outfield was running like lightning.
Alan Neave continued his fine bowling form to claim the openers on his way to a season-best return of four for 20.
Slow left-armer Tom Hales played his part, taking the pace off the ball on a hard pitch. Skipper Farmer deserves credit for being bold and opening with a spinner.
Iain Stewart, with two wickets, and that man Farmer with a further two saw the game to a conclusion.
The Doo’cot Park side ended on 98, 200 shy of a winning reply.
The match was sponsored by Doug Scott Agricultural Engineering (Kirkinch).
Meigle host Mannofield on Saturday in a noon start at Victory Park.
Steve Knight, Roland Thorne and Callum Leese are available for selection as Meigle seek to maintain second spot and keep the pressure on championship leaders Arrowdawn Gordonians.
●Sunday, meanwhile, saw Meigle’s second XI defeat Montrose at Union Park in SPCU Division 2 North.
Bobby Edington’s side posted 184, with Charles Clark crashing 76 and Warren Sutherland striking 28.
Montrose were then bowled out for 148, with Fergus Barron bowling well and taking two wickets.
The second XI has a week off due to the Village Cup final this Sunday and are next in action against Gordonians XI on the artificial wicket at Countesswells.