Fixture call-offs but enthusiasm is high
Buzz around Doo’cot despite games falling to rain
Recent rain and fixture calloffs are not dampening the enthusiasm for cricket at Perth Doo’cot.
The Fair City team were frustrated by the weather for the second weekend in a row as all three scheduled matches were washed out.
With opponents due to set off a little after 10am, early morning pitch inspections were undertaken.
Rain overnight, followed by showers first thing and, as it transpired, a correct forecast that rain would continue, resulted in Saturday’s games called off at 9am.
On Sunday, the 3rd XI travelled to Comrie more in hope than expectation and, again, the conditions prevailed and the game was called off.
Club captain Graham Ferguson, despite the frustration of little competitive action, has been pleased with the continuing effort in training.
He told the Perthshire Advertiser: “Our nets continue to be really well attended and we are having no issue at all in getting sufficient numbers for all our matches so we just need the rain to stay away.
“Doo’cot is really busy Monday to Thursday with our junior nets and matches, senior practice on Tuesday and Thursday and T20 matches for our midweek XI on a Wednesday.
“So it’s really our Saturday senior teams who are seeing least action. I’m hoping that will change this weekend as we have a very tough double-header with two trips to Aberdeen.”
This Saturday, the Perth 1st XI travel to Mannofield on league business and then the following day make the same journey to take on Gordonians in the CS Challenge Cup. Also on Saturday, the 2nd XI will travel to Dundee to take on Dundee High School 2nd XI.
Meanwhile, during the week, Perth Doo’cot launched All Stars Cricket with over 20 boys and girls in the five to eight age range attending.
Ferguson added: “This is an England and Wales cricket board/Cricket Scotland initiative which the club has signed up to. It’s aimed not so much at technical aspects of the sport but more at the basic elements of throwing, catching and hitting the ball.”
Squads for the weekend are: 1st XI v Mannofield at Mannofield on Saturday – From G Ferguson (capt), J Hill, E Knoesen, J McCreanor, S McCreanor, T Brown, K Sarral, J Koo, R Pennycook, I Patterson, C Taylor, K Mullangi. R McPhee (scorer). Players meet Broxden Park and Ride 10.20am prompt.
2nd XI v DHSFP 2nd XI at Dalnacraig on Saturday – From D Armstrong (capt),J Hill, M Rehman, J Ali, F Ali, H Gow, T Rehman, F McGaffney, J Koo, G Parsons, D Green, K Mullangi, P Murray. Players meet Broxden Park and Ride 11.30am prompt.
1st XI v Gordonians at University Grounds on Sunday – G Ferguson (capt), K Khalil, E Knoesen, J McCreanor, S McCreanor, T Brown, K Sarral, A Sarral, R Pennycook, J Ali, C Taylor. R McPhee (scorer). Players meet Broxden Park and Ride 10.20am prompt.