New look line-up puts Coupar Angus on the front foot

Jun 14 2012

NORMAL service was resumed at Larghan Park on Saturday and following the Lark in the Park Jubilee celebrations the only fireworks that were blasted were off the bats of a new look line-up, which included two returned players Warren Sutherland and Kenny MacNaughton.

Unnecessary run outs have become an unwelcome feature of Coupar’s batting thus far this season and Alan Neave made the long trudge off without scoring following a shambles of a call which Mike Nelson did not hear through his helmet and also being on the back foot.

Gordon Croll was taking photographs of the setting and had to drop everything to effectively open with Mike to lay a foundation for the innings. It was not long before Gordon the horticulturist was cultivating some big hits to and over the boundary with five fours and three massive sixes, much to the delight and relief of the Coupar skipper, before he was caught at backward square leg just one run short of his 50.

This brought Warren Sutherland to the crease, preferring a middle order role, and he was soon thumping the ball over the line, but he was less than pleased at being adjudged caught from a rising Sharma in-swinger.

The Coupar middle order and tail produced runs for a change with excellent flurries contributed by a resurgent Scott McKay and the ever enthusiastic Mike Ancell. Mark Grogan experienced severe cramp and hamstring difficulties, but added a valuable 16 runs to the Coupar cause.

Losing the toss may have done Bobby Edington a bit of a favour as in recent weeks his charges fielded first with 10 players and suffered accordingly. Saturday’s comeback will have given the skipper some reassurance that his side can construct and defend an innings.

After the tea interval, the Coupar fielders set about defending their total and the pace of opening bowlers Roland Thorne and Mike Ancell had the Dundee batsmen in all sorts of bother.

Roland was delighted when Warren Sutherland juggled and held a fine catch to see off opening bat Sean McAleer, and Mike Ancell was equally pleased a few overs later when his skipper behind the stumps held another fine catch to guarantee the gloves for another week.

Mike and Roland are a formidable force and with wickets falling rapidly Norwood were never up with the required run rate. Norwood captain Myles Dixon and Sharma showed some brief resistance and aggression, but they were eventually removed by Gordon Croll and Mike Nelson.

Dropped catches have been another Achilles’ heel for the Larghan Park side this season, but everything that went to hand was held on Saturday with seven fine catches thanks to the experienced trio of Kenny MacNaughton, Mike Nelson and Bobby Edington, and three by Gordon Croll capped a fine afternoon for him.

Sitting at the foot of the league before the game this was an invaluable 25 points for Coupar Angus in their quest for a mid-table position.

For this Sunday’s tough encounter with Forthill XI at Broughty Ferry, Warren Sutherland will be unavailable as he picked up a hamstring injury when giving rapid chase to the boundary.

Coupar will require an effort similar to last Saturday if they are to collect points, and while a good batting track will welcome Coupar they will hope to make the most of it.

Coupar Angus 187 for eight (Gordon Croll 49, Mike Ancell 25 not out, Scott Mckay 23, Mike Nelson 16, Mark Grogan 16, Warren Sutherland 13; S. Sharma three for 20; Sarfraz two for 48, D. Saddler one for 27, C. Bowen one for 28), Norwood 113 all out (M. Dixon 39, S. Sharma 18; Gordon Croll three for 10, Michael Ancell three for 33; Roland Thorne two for 16, Mike Nelson one for 19, Alan Neave one for 27).