Edge off clash as Falkland declare intent to stay put

So, there we were, calculator in hand, set to work out by what devious mathematical formula Stoneywood Dyce could still overtake Falkland to win Strathmore and Perthshire NEC and qualify for the play-offs.

Stoneywood Dyce had made those calculations necessary by surprising everyone in going down to Meigle last week, only their second defeat of the season.

But Falkland took the fizz out of the competition by declaring that even if they won they would decline to go to the playoffs, leaving the way clear for Stoneywood Dyce.

Falkland president Robbie Nellies said they had considered the possibility of a return to the Eastern Premiership via the play-off match but decided to remain in the NEC next year as they see it as the best environment for the development of the younger players in their squad.

Club secretary David Potter added: “We have decided to stay with the Strathmore Union for another year at least because we felt that we needed another year for our most promising youngsters to develop.

“In addition there are so many other attractions in the Strathmore and Perthshire NEC – better grounds, more friendly people and better teas – and we have enjoyed playing there.

“We feel, with our nice ground and reputation for hospitality, we also enhance the NEC.”

This is a disappointing development.

Although there are precedents for Falkland’s decision, perhaps any club with the intention of declining to go to the playoffs if they win the league should make that decision clearly known at the beginning of the season, not left to rumour and gossip in the latter stages.

However, it will be Stoneywood Dyce who progress to the play-offs regardless of the results in the final two weeks.

Apart from the head to head between Falkland and Stoneywood Dyce there is a tasty clash at Countesswells, where ASI Gordonians face Forfarshire II with some entertaining batting likely from both sides.

Graeme Garden is on a roll for the visitors with unbeaten scores of 76 and 60 from his last couple of league outings.

Although their earlier meeting was washed out, Arbroath United will be confident of improving on their bottom spot against the everunpredictable Dundee HSFP, particularly after seeing off Perth Doo’cot in a tense 13-run win last week where Bryce Carnegie showed his class with a cracking 92.

Dundee have to cope with having gone down heavily to Falkland.

Despite the defeat at Lochlands last week and the misery of losing out in the semi-final of the Cricket Scotland Challenge Cup to Leith on Monday by the toss of a coin with the pitch unplayable, Perth Doo’cot can have grounds for confidence. In the loss against Arbroath, Tyler Ridder’s 80 helped them come close to taking the spoils.

Meanwhile, up against a Forfarshire side in top form last week, Strathmore will at least hope to do better than in their previous meeting with Mannofield when they host the side who had them all out for 70 and won by nine wickets.