Cricket: Super Coupar earn vital win in relegation clash with Breadalbane

Aug 8 2012 By David Phillips

COUPAR Angus emulated Team GB by enjoying a Super Saturday when they took on bottom side Breadalbane at Larghan Park in the bottom of the league dogfight on
Saturday.

The visitors arrived in dribs and drabs, but despite this, Bobby Edington asked them to bat first when he won the toss.

Initially, this looked an inspired decision as opening bowler Roland Thorn clean bowled Breadalbane’s opening batsmen James Bax with his fourth delivery. However this only served to bring Neil Wimberley to the crease. Neil resides in Spittalfield, plays in Division Two for Glendelvine and also for Breadalbane in Division One. The talented all rounder has a well known Coupar Angus connection, as his grandparents stay in the town, residing in the house where Neil’s great grandfather stayed, Major General Douglas Neil Wimberley, commander of the 51st (Highland) Division at the Second Battle of El Alamein in the Second World War.

Neil is a talented batsman and scored well in the game at Aberfeldy at the start of June and it wasn’t long before he got to grips with the Coupar bowling. He and opener Robin Gibson proved difficult to remove and they had Breadalbane in a very strong position, with their partnership of 141.

Scott McKay rewarded Gordon Croll with the catch of the season, or any season in recent times, with a spectacular dive at mid wicket, to remove Neil. Two overs later Warren Sutherland held a fine catch at point to give Gordon Croll his second wicket of what was a difficult afternoon with the ball for him.

Thereafter the only notable performer with the bat for Breadalbane was Mark Bowler and he remained undefeated at the end of their allotted 45 overs.

Bobby Edington was delighted with his team’s efforts and fighting spirit, and heaped praise on Rolland Thorn, Alan Neave, and Mike Ancell, who looked more like himself after his recent holiday. The skipper also gave sure advice to all the bowlers: bowl straight, with line and length.

Although a couple of difficult catching opportunities were dropped, there were other fine catches by Alan Neave and Roland Thorn to add to the spectacular catch by Scott McKay.

Breadalbane must have thought they had posted a game winning total.

Warren Sutherland’s day was completed when he edged a low delivery and this brought the in form Gordon Croll to the middle to yet again effectively open with Alan Neave, who had been playing a careful game in respect to the early tight Aberfeldy bowling. Young Alan faced a similar delivery to that which ended Warren Sutherland's day and his leg stick was knocked over.

Bobby Edington strode out to pair up with Gordon Croll and between them they started to take the bowlers apart. Gordon was out when he looked to dispatch another a delivery, popping the ball in the air to the awaiting cover fielder.

Roland Thorn strolled out to receive some advice from his captain, and the pair narrowly escaped some perilous running between the wickets to see their side to victory.

This was Super Saturday for Coupar, as they passed the Breadalbane total with six wickets and six overs to spare in what turned out to be a comfortable and vitally important win in the end.

Bobby Edington and  Rolland Thorn were at their aggressive best which bodes well for the league run in and the quest to remain in Division One. The Coupar skipper has shown signs of his old batting prowess in recent weeks and was looking like his old self as he played a range of shots to all parts of the Andy Neave manicured outfield.

Breadalbane captain Mark Bowler rotated his bowlers, brought on his wicket keeper, but to no avail. All the while the light was deteriorating as the game was a lengthy one, concluding just before 8pm.

There were screams of Olympic Gold like jubilation when Roland Thorn struck the last and winning ball for four runs and the players were able to celebrate with more cake, thanks to Ruth Neave who took some of her 18th birthday cake to the game winning party.

Breadalbane 200 for eight (N. Wimberley 56, R. Gibson 67, M. Bowler 33 not out; Roland Thorn four for 29, Gordon Croll two for 51, Mark Grogan one for 18, Alan Neave one for 41), Coupar Angus 202 for three (Bobby Edington 80 not out, Roland Thorn 52 not out, Gordon Croll 31).

It is hoped that Coupar will take great confidence from this well earned and vital victory and get a result on Saturday, when they take on mid-tablers Forthill XI at Larghan.

The final two league games are away to Dooc’t Park and St Modans, but Bobby Edington will be hoping that any fears of relegation will be gone before then.

Incidentally, or coincidentally, John McIntyre has been dubbed the lucky mascot as Coupar are undefeated since his return to the fold following knee surgery, and so his name is the first on Bobby Edington’s team lists for the run in.