Cricket: Unplayable pitch stops Coupar Angus

Jun 21 2012 by Katy Gordon, Blairgowrie Adv

FORTHILL was unplayable on Sunday for the Strathmore and Perthshire Union league game, dashing the hopes of the Coupar Angus cricketers who were looking forward to playing on a traditionally good batting track.

Forthill away would have been a challenge and having comfortably seen off Norwood in their recent home game, Bobby Edington’s troops were in good spirit for the trip to the Ferry.

This week’s opponents Rossie Priory are a different proposition, as they are undefeated and Coupar’s record at the Priory over the years reads like an unfavourable report card from school – could do better!

Injuries to key players Warren Sutherland, Mark Grogan, and Graham Gibbons may have time to mend for the tussle over the hill, but whoever is playing the game is always played in the best of spirits, especially when the old boys are around.

Gordon Croll, Bobby Edington, and Kenny MacNaughton have been pitting their wits at Rossie for more years than they care to remember.

Rossie have a good blend of experience and youth, or perhaps it should veteran and youth when Peter Milne, Derek Macalpine, Bob McFarlane, and Raymond Lynch are playing.

“Peter has taken my wicket on many an occasion,” said Gordon Croll, “And Derek has rattled up many a score against Coupar.

“Happy sunny days at Rossie are happy memories, as it is the Highland Show this weekend and just as it was Alyth Show last weekend, we invariably are rained off.”

Dooc’t Park is another favourite venue for Coupar cricketers and this week marks 75 years of the AK Bell Gannochy Trust, which promotes cricket in the area, but particularly Perth.

AK Bell was by all accounts friends with the great Don Bradman and there are loads of interesting photographs in the upgraded pavilion at Dooc’t.

Many young people are being introduced to the game and hopefully some will graduate and play for clubs in the area, but sadly there are fewer teams remaining.

Iain Mackenzie, who played with distinction for Coupar in the 1950s’ and 60s’ had heard that Cricket Scotland were claiming more people are playing the game than ever.

Possibly more are being introduced at school, but the fact of the matter is that many of the clubs that played in Iain’s day are no longer in existence.

Development officers are promoting the game in the area and Coupar are providing coaching on Tuesday evenings, therefore with this initiative and encouragement from the community, it is hoped that Coupar Angus will be one team which will continue to play for many more years to come.

Young players are encouraged to attend coaching sessions on Tuesdays, while the not so young can attend nets on Wednesdays. Both sessions are held at Larghan Park and commence at 6.30pm.

Bobby Edington’s amalgam of youth and experience look forward to Saturday’s derby game at Rossie Priory where they will attempt to defeat the unbeaten league leaders.