Scorecard

Arbroath United XI v Forfarshire Cricket Club Forthill on Thu 09 Jul 2009 at 6.30pm
Forfarshire Cricket Club Won 12 runs

Match report
Current holders Forthill made the trip over the hills to Forfar to meet local rivals Arbroath United XI on neutral ground for this semi final of the M Power 3 Counties Cup.

With normal skipper Ted out of action with a rare disease of the posterior brought on by a lifetime of drinking and smoking ; it was left to the clean living Chic to win the toss and elect to bat first on a pleasant evening.

Having played for too many seasons to mention now, this correspondent can remember the days when the Forfar track was among the best in the country and players from Strathy and Forfarshire used to argue whether Lochside or Forthill had the best playing surface. Today it is sad to report that the Strathmore wicket (on this viewing at least) was low, flat and very difficult to bat on, and more or less ruined this game as a spectacle from the off.

With shot making nearly impossible it was a case of tip and run for the most part and whilst Forthill did some good nicking and nudging, the running was a little dubious and two run outs contributed to a dodgy position at 42 for 5 from 10 overs. Chic and Clark cobbled together a semblance of a partnership to repair things and some lusty hitting from a lengthy tail saw the Ferry side up to 107 at half-time.

It is fair to say it was a far from pretty innings with boundaries at a premium, however it turned out to be effective and in reality 107 on this deck would have been something close to 180 on Forthill...

Kelby put the pressure on Arbroath right away with some excellent bowling and he was ably supported by John Brown at the other end. With the Lichties falling behind the clock ; enter Super Dean to clean up the United pro and a couple of others to take the game away from Arbroath. Dean's celebrations on taking a wicket proved to be the highspot of the night and it looked like a cross between Monty Panesar and Bambi on a cocktail of drugs as he wheeled away on hitting the stumps. IF he is selected for the final and the team does triumph then his celebration will be worth the admission money alone.

It fell to Andy and Kelby to tie up the remaining overs with some great death bowling and an ultimately comfortable victory was attained.

It has to be said this was not a great game of cricket on a poor wicket - but as ever in semi finals it is the result that matters and Forthill progress to meet Aberdeen Grades Select in a repeat of last year's final.

To finish off proceedings ; Billy thought it would be good idea to sit on the bonnet of Gav's Mum's car and left a sizeable dent the size of his sizeable backside in the aforementioned bonnet. To say Gav was not happy would be putting it mildly and one suspects a hefty bill will be heading in Mr Turner's direction in a few days time.

This correspondent was impressed by the effort and commitment of the Forthill side and it would be remiss not to mention that this is a young side with many cricketers still full of great promise for the future in the shape of Dean, John, Andy, Elliot, Goose and Gav - all home grown talent who have come up through the youth system as well. First team players watch out - these boys are after your place.

The date and venue for the final have still to be arranged - but I have some public messages below in anticipation of the game

Gav's Mad Mental Travelling Barmy Army - bus leaves Forthill at 9am sharp on day of game. Via Montrose/Warsaw for pre arranged ruck.Then up to Huntly to torch their pavilion. Then stopping at Turner's house to dent his car. Then on it right the way back doon the road to the game.Meeeeennnnnttttaaaaalllllll. Gav reminds all members not to forget their gel.

Teddy's Ambulance Party - transport leaves Ninewells at 2pm. Nurse on hand with bandages and rub for anyone with posterior problems. Hamlets and Magners available for all.

Dave T and Freda's Love Shack - Caravan leaves under cover of darkness four days before game. Do not disturb please.

Ian's Private Chip Eating Car Instructions - arrive at ground just after start of play. Sit in car and eat chips (hopefully without anyone noticing). Only leave car once chips are completed and wave empty bag under hungry players noses temptingly on way to bin.

The Chubbsy's Fish and Chips Love Fest - Vehicle with heavily sprung suspension leaves the Ferry at 3pm. Early provisions will be taken on board by stopping at Murrays in the Ferry for a light snack of chips. Next stop the Seaway in Monifieth for chips. Then through Carnoustie stopping at the Belmonte for chips. Should reach Arbroath in time for Peppos opening and the highlight of a double fish supper ( and a side of chips). Then off to the game. On the way back stopping at McDonalds for chips and then for a final effort a kebab with all the trimmings from Simmy's Kebabs in the Ferry( and of course some chips). Lightweights are not invited. Names for the bus so far are Chubbsy sr, Chubbsy jr and Dawn French.




Forfarshire Cricket Club Forthill Batting
107 for 9
Player Name RunsCatchesStumpingsRun outs
Gavin Martin Run out  (Carnegie) 14
David Salisbury Bowled  Small 1
John Findlay Bowled  Bowick 8
Kelby Pickering Run out  (Riddler) 4
Graham McLelland Run out  (Clark) 19 1
Clark McConnachie Caught  Edwards b Gibson 14
Elliot McCandless Bowled  Clarke 5
Billy Turner Run out  (Riddler) 16
John Brown Bowled  Gibson 9
Dean Fearn Not Out  1
Andrew Wallace Not Out  0

Arbroath United XI Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
E Small5.0026126.005.20
J Bowick5.0020120.004.00
P Clarke5.0024124.004.80
S Gibson5.0031215.506.20

Arbroath United XI Batting
95 for 8
Player name Runs
M Richardson Bowled  Fearn 13
F Riddler Lbw  Brown 0
J Plomer Caught  Brown 3
P Clarke Lbw  Fearn 8
E Small Bowled  Fearn 8
E Rosie Bowled  Pickering 25
M Edwards Bowled  Wallace 11
J Bowick Not Out  8
B Carnegie Lbw  Pickering 0
S Gibson Not Out  5
G Swann  

Forfarshire Cricket Club Forthill Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Kelby Pickering5.011025.002.00
John Brown5.0025212.505.00
Dean Fearn5.001635.333.20
Elliot McCandless3.002400.008.00
Andrew Wallace2.0013113.006.50

  • Umpire :
    from Strathmore CC
  • Scorer :
    R Milne