SCU Presidents XI win against Cupar

The sun was shining and the thermometer was rising as Euan McIntyre won the toss and elected to bat first at Duffus Park where the home side were taking on an SCU Presidents XI to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the club.

Robbie Birrell of Cupar and Scotland National Coach Peter Steindl opened the batting for the Presidents XI and they made a solid start against the bowling of Michael Murray and Matthew Wilkinson. It was the introduction of Eric Parsons of Dundee HSFP guesting for Cupar who made the breakthrough when he had Robbie Birrell well caught by Eric Parsons in the covers with 65 runs on the board.

It was the same combination who one run later effected the dismissal of Peter Steindl. The fall of this wicket brought together veterans Peter Drummond  of Meigle and Tino Weeraratna of Heriots, with a total age of over 100 years between them quick singles were definitely not on the menu.

Tino in trying to up the pace took the aerial route and was well caught by Michael Murray at mid off but Peter stood firm being joined by Ben Fox of Watsonians. They found runs hard to come by and both departed within two runs to leave the Presidents XI in some trouble on 90 for 5.

However the Heriots combination of Cameron Farrell and Gavin McIntyre soon put the President’s XI on the front foot as they took the attack to Cupar with an eighty run partnership at more than a run a ball  before McIntyre going for another boundary was snapped up by Matthew Wilkinson at deep mid on. Farrell followed 10 runs later again to a catch, this time by wicket keeper Gordon Anderson.

The fall of McIntyre’s wicket had brought Steve Paige, who had not reached double figures for Watsonians in the SNCL this season.  to the crease. Together with Andrew Eglinton , a member of Largo’s Under 13 team they put on 13 runs for the eighth  wicket with Paige finally out for 12 as Eric Parsons took his fourth catch in the covers, and Andrew followed him back to the pavilion one run later

Scotland internationalist Gordon Drummond and Alan Hamilton saw the last few balls out without further mishap, and Gordon was delighted not to be out as he waved his bat to his father Peter. The Presidents XI finished on 194 for 9 from their 40 over allocation

After tea the home side opened with Jim Braid of Dunnikier and home captain Ian Wilkinson. They found runs hard to come by against the bowling of Alan Hamilton and Gordon Drummond.

They had taken the score to 26 when the introduction of Cameron Farrell brought the partnership to an end when he clean bowled Braid. He then bowled Wilkinson 16 runs later to put the President’s XI in the driving seat.

Skipper Euan McIntyre came on at the bottom end replacing Steve Paige who had caused the batsmen a few problems without taking a wicker, while leaving Farrell to bowl his eight over allocation from the other, which he did to great effect finishing with  5 for 17.

Gareth Trayner took the attack to Euan McIntyre hitting for a six and a four in successive balls, but McIntyre had the final say when he trapped him in front to become one of his three victims, and he could have had more had not his friend and club mate Tino Weeraratna not dropped the easiest of chances much to the dismay of the captain

The re-introduction of Gordon Drummond  to the attack saw a quick close to the Cupar innings as he captured two quick wickets to finish with five overs, five maidens 0 for 2. as the home side were all out for 112, eighty two runs short of victory.
 

[scorecard]  [photos]