CULTS CRICKET CLUB
WITH the season now entering its final third, Cults Cricket Club 1st X! is well in contention for three trophies. Despite a damaging defeat against Kintore in the league chasing a low total, we are only fifteen points behind leaders Bon Accord who we have to play at the end of July. This game will have a large bearing on the destination of the league title with a win for Cults a must. Since the Kintore defeat, Cults have beaten Stonehaven, Stoneywood/Dyce, St.Ronald, Ellon Gordon and drawn with Banchory.
Cults have also progressed to the final of the Scottish Small Clubs Cup for the 7th time. We have won this competition on four previous occasions (1989,1993, 1998 and 1999) with defeats in 1996 and 2001. On route to the final, Cults have overcome Kingsway from the Perthshire league, East League sides Edinburgh Beige, Glenrothes and great rivals Fauldhouse Victoria who had narrowly beaten Cults in last year's final. In the final itself we meet another East league team, Largo from Fife, who have overcome Grade sides Inverurie and Bon Accord on route to the final. Only a top Cults performance will see Cults win the cup as Largo are obviously a strong side and are known to have a large travelling support. The final is on the 4th August at The Arns, Alloa. Any supporters wishing to travel on the team bus need to be at the Cults Hotel 9.00am sharp on the 4th. The Aberdeenshire Cup competition has also got underway with Cults beating Ellon on 21st July to progress to the semi finals where they meet St.Ronald at the Allan Park.
Opening batsmen Bryan Alexander (698 runs) and Davie Meres (617 runs) have been in outstanding form this season. Bryan has notched three centuries including two in one weekend whilst Davie has a couple of nineties under his belt. These two have been well supported by skipper Paul Upjohn (263 runs) and Graeme Gillanders (222 runs). Pete Winefield, a New Zealander, who joined the club from the now defunct Newtonhill has settled in well and looks a more than useful acquisition. His 75 not out against Banchory recently underlined the ability we all know he possesses. On the bowling front, skipper Paul Upjohn (36 wickets) and Ronnie Valentine (33 wickets) lead the way. Paul's 36 wickets include three 5 wicket plus hauls whilst Ronnie's include one. Of late Davie Meres has returned to the bowling scene after a spell behind the stumps and he has performed well. In the past six games he has helped himself to 20 wickets including two five wicket plus hauls.
The 2nd XI have had a reasonable season so far in Grade 3. They are currently lying third in the table and are well in contention for a promotion spot. Inverurie seem almost certain to win the Grade but a 2nd place is not an unrealistic target for the 2s. Eddie Spearman has been in good form this season scoring a couple of fifties with the rest all chipping in. On the bowling front Steven Balsillie has shown some form with the ball along with veteran Steve Smith.
Thanks must go to groundsmen Bill Davidson, lan Sutherland and Hamish MacDougall who have done a remarkable job In producing decent wickets despite the appalling weather of late. Phil Gill has performed wonders in repairing the portacabin making it a much more secure place. Phi! has also put a lot of time and energy into coaching of the Cults juniors. Coaching is on a Friday night at Allan Park at 6.30pm with kids of all ages and abilities more than welcome.
Thankfully, so far this season, there has been a reduction in the amount of vandalism at the Allan Park. The scorebox roof was ripped off a couple of weeks ago but there has been no repeat of the arson attack of last year.
The Cults Cricket Club Race Night is on Friday 27 September 2002 at The Cults Hotel. Raffle tickets are currently being sold with the top prizes being a weekend at The Craigendarroch and a DVD player.
Cults CC Contact -
IAN SUTHERLAND
E-mail: isutherland@it.aberdeen.net.uk