CRICKET Meigle Park News
The challenging weather conditions referred to in last week’s bulletin have not relented much and, as a result, no matches were played at Meigle Park at the weekend.
The 1st XI were keen to play Dunnikier against whom they have performed well in the past but it was not to be.
Likewise, the first round Scottish Cup tie against Kelburne due to be played on Sunday was postponed after an inspection of the playing area by an umpire nominated by Cricket Scotland.
This game has been rescheduled and will hopefully be played at Meigle Park on Sunday, May 19.
The only match played at the weekend took place on Saturday when the 2nd XI travelled to Livingston to play their first competitive match in Division 5.
If the rest of the games in this division go the way of Saturday’s, the “twos” could be in for a few painful lessons. Asked to bat when the Livingston skipper won the toss, the guys (and girls) got off to a reasonable start and things looked rosy when, after a stand of 58 for the 3rd wicket between Seb Loumeau (30) and Robbie Paterson (24), Gala had reached 87.
However, the weakness of the remaining batters saw the last 5 wickets fall for just 13 runs, meaning that the home team had a target of 101 to win.
This left the Gala bowling attack with a sizeable task to which they applied themselves with no little determination.
When the 6th Livingston wicket fell with the score on 63 and, even more so, when Gala took the 7th with the score on 81, the visitors looked as if they could pull off a great result. But an unbeaten stand for the penultimate wicket saw the home team victorious by two wickets, reaching 104 for 8 in the 34th over.
Top bowler was Loumeau with 3 for 19 while there were two wickets each for Paterson and Maisie Maceira.
It is to be hoped that last weekend’s experiences of the 2nd XI at Livingston are not repeated when the 1st XI go there on Saturday, May
11 to play Livingston 1st XI in the third round of the Championship.
Meanwhile the 2nd XI will travel to Fife on Saturday to meet Dunfermline & Carnegie 2nd XI at McKane Park.
It is hoped that weather conditions allow the Gala 3rd XI a chance to get their season off to a good start when Musselburgh are due to come to Meigle Park on Sunday 12th.
MEMBERSHIP
As usual, the club are anxious to increase the number of members and supporters, who as well as assisting financially, are also particularly beneficial to the players who appreciate an audience for all their games. To make it easier to join the club, membership forms are now available on line – just go to the web site and follow the link to 2024 Membership forms.
SPONSORSHIP Sponsors play an increasingly important role in financing the club and we also need more volunteers to help during the season. Sponsorship opportunities are available from as little as £30 and our brochure is available at Galacricketclub. co.uk/club-sponsors-andopportunities or email galacricketclub@gmail.com
GET INVOLVED
If you want to help out with the many activities that keep the club ticking over; maybe you could help cut the grass or drive the mini-bus to away games or help out in the bar? Please get in touch.