Outdoor Training
Outdoor training resumes again on Tuesday evening at Freuchie Cricket Ground. All players please be there for 6:30pm when the blood, sweat and tears starts by way of preparation for another season of top flight cricket.
Great News on Coaching
We have just heard that we are to be awarded a substantial grant from Cricket Scotland under its “Investment in Club Coaches” scheme. To put it mildly, we are delighted! Our own Dave Christie will undertake the role of Head Coach, guiding the efforts of all our qualified coaches and assistants.
The scheme is part of Cricket Scotland’s efforts to have clubs investing in coaching and better facilities, rather than simply bringing in ‘hit men’ to win matches. Long term growth, rather than short term league positions – we think that has to the target for our club, and we are – to repeat – delighted, both that Cricket Scotland is taking this practical approach and that we should be direct beneficiaries.
We know that the future of our club depends on bringing our youngsters through to the senior teams, and this grant will be a major boost to our efforts. Indoor practices for juniors have already started and outdoor sessions will begin on Fridays as soon as evening light is good enough. In the last few years, we have been seeing 70 to 80 kids in the park on Fridays, and this grant will let us do even more for them than we have been doing. For more information, email info@freuchiecricketclub.com.
Technorati Tags: Freuchie, Freuchie Cricket Club, coaching, youth training, Cricket, Cricket Scotland
May 16 and 17
The Firsts were off to Dumfries on Saturday, destined to go down for the first time this season. Hard work in the field and good bowling from Gour didn’t compensate for a shortage of runs – another 20 for Freuchie in the first innings might have made all the difference, not to mention a couple of dropped catches. Complete scorecard is here. A transcript of Allan Baxter’s report follows; our thanks to "The Fife Herald" for allowing us to post it here.
At Nunholm on Saturday we saw another excellent game of cricket, which ended in victory for the Doonhamers by 4 wickets
Dumfries won the toss and Freuchie batted, the Birrell twins getting the visitors off to a solid start with 62 for the first wicket in 23.2 overs, when Scott Birrell was caught behind off Josh Geary for 24. Skipper Scott Galloway made a brief appearance but was caught on the square leg boundary for a single. Another indifferent shot was that by Scott Gourlay, who played a deplorable reverse sweep to be caught at slip for 14. Then Robbie Birrell was lbw to Geary for a patient 35 off 83 balls with 5 4s. Another wicket fell at 98 but Steve Rowley and Jock Wallace added 50 for the next wicket. Dale Cowan helped Rowley to add 40 for the 7th wicket. There was just time for fair-haired youngster Liam Kelly to make his first SNCL run before the innings closed at 214 for9. The score was boosted by a tally of 37 extras, the highest score on the card. For the homesters, J Goodin took 3 for 38 in six overs, J Geary 3 for 49 from 10 overs. Steadiest bowling of all was by Jim Patterson who bowled his off-breaks for 1 for 20 from his ten overs.
Russell Johnston was caught behind off Scott Birrell, who opened with his slow left arm opposite Dale Cowan, who saw his father spill Tom McBride at slip. Thereafter it was McBride who scored steadily while the other Dumfries batsmen helped him along. Skipper Scott Beveridge was lbw to Rowley for 6 but Geary went on to make 56 in a stand of 126 with McBride in 27.5 overs. By this time, McBride had moved on to 80 off 132 balls and the score was 175 for 3, but Dumfries lost a further 3 wickets, all to Gourlay, before they crossed the finish line in the second last over. Just before the end, McBride completed a determined and well-played hundred, scored off 151 balls with only 6 4s. Gourlay took 4 for 26 off his 10 overs but Freuchie are needing more runs from him and the other recognised batsmen.
Meanwhile, the Seconds were at home. Captain Kenny reports:
This Saturday saw the 2nds play Leith FAB at Muir Road. After Kenny WINNING his first toss of the season he decided to put the visitors into bat. Freuchie’s bowling started strongly with a couple of early wickets but Lovatte of Leith decided he wasn’t going to hang about, hitting a quick 50, and with help of his fellow players he had Freuchie thinking they were going to be chasing a high score. However, after drinks Freuchie didn’t give up and after a continuous fall of wickets, ended up bowling Leith all out for 198 with Lovatte unbeaten on 83. The pick of our bowlers was Blair Forrester with a 4-for and Ian Patterson (president) taking 2 for just 9 runs, while young Ross Mcmurdo was the pick of the fielders.
After tea, Freuchie’s innings saw an early wicket with Allan Wallace out for just 4. but Blair Forrester and Robbie Wright batted on, with Blair getting his 50 and Robbie Wright scoring 26. Stuart Gibson and Kenny Crichton carried the team win what was in the end a fairly easy win. Blair scored 87 to go with his 4 wickets. Freuchie have now made it 3 out of 3 for the 2s. Once again Kenny was very pleased with the great team effort.
(Secretary’s note: I was watching the late stages of the innings and it didn’t look all that comfortable to me!).
Injuries and call-offs meant that we didn’t settle on the Third’s team to go to Meigle until late on Sunday morning, but the unexpected availability of Stuart Gibson (early finished work) Chris Hunt (home from holiday), Gordon Mutch (dragged out by his cousin Robbie Wright) and the addition of Robbie Birrell saw us with a very respectable side. For Meigle, it turned out to be a bit of a one-man show, our former player, Arun Trivedi, getting the home side to 212 for 2. “Ouch,” you would have thought. Not so. Liam Kelly batted well for 39, while skipper Dale Cowan hit 115 off 75 balls – six sixes and six fours among them – until caught on the boundary. He had been well supported by Grant Horsburgh, now joined by Robbie Birrell, who hit the winning run.
After the disappointment of having to cancel the Third XI game last weekend (two XIs on a Sunday is nigh-impossible for us) it was great to see our participation in the Strathmore Union doing just what we hoped it would – opportunities for our young lads to get competitive games, supported by a few of the senior players – and especially good to see Mutchy back in the side.
Technorati Tags: Freuchie, Freuchie Cricket Club, The Fife Herald, Dumfries Cricket Club, SNCL, The Strathmore Union, Meigle
Trophy Winners
Congratulations to all the Freuchie Cricket Club trophy winners this year.
1st X1 Winners 2009
Strathie Cup-Batting Average. Robbie Birrell
Freuchie CC Cup-Batting Aggregate. Robbie Birrell
Dryden Trophy-Bowling Average. David Cowan
David Smart Memorial Cup-Best Fielder. John Wallace
McHugh Trophy-Most Vital Innings. Robbie Birrell 95 not out V Dumfries
Andrew Grant Trophy-Best Catch. John Wallace
G.D Crichton Cup-Players Player Of The Year. Scott Galloway
2nd X1 Winners 2009
Freuchie CC Cup-Batting Average. Blair Forrester
Ceilidh Cup-Batting Aggregate. Blair Forrester
Freuchie CC Cup-Bowling Average. Graham Christie
Christie Trophy-Best Fielder. Shane Munro
Dick Morrison Memorial Cup Player’s Player of the Year Blair Forrester
Juniors 2009-09-07
David Robertson Cup Best Bat Shane Munro
Coughlan Trophy Best Bowler Liam Kelly
Christie Trophy Best Fielder Ross McMurdo
Nett Cowan Best Fielder Chris Hunt
Melville Cup Most Promising Junior Corey Bridgeford
Best Performance of the Season 5 wickets for 6 runs from 4 overs Greg Birrell
Fraser Irvine Shield Under 13 Player Ross McMurdo
Edmonds Shield Under 15 Player Liam Kelly
Roy Irvine Shield Under 17 Player Shane Munro
Technorati Tags: Freuchie, Freuchie Cricket Club, trophy winners
Captain’s Corner
We seem to have kept the best performance of the season until the last the game! We beat Edinburgh in extra quick time, I won the toss and put them into bat. Through some great bowling and some rash shots we had them all out for 48 only an hour and a half into the innings. Freuchie went out and knocked off the runs with a loss of only one wicket. A very satisfying end to the season.
A good time was had by all at the end of season disco, with the great win during the day spirits were high. It was good to see so many juniors there to collect their trophies. It was also a chance to say goodbye to Dan Harper who was heading back home on the following Tuesday, we wished him all the best and a safe journey home.
Many thanks to everyone who contributed baking, raffle and tombola prizes to our coffee evening. It was very successful and we managed to raise the grand total of £540.00. Thanks again for all your hard work.
Hard luck to the 6 players who were pipped at the post at the Falkland Sixes on Saturday, unfortunately they were beaten in the final by the host team. It was very encouraging however as Freuchie had the youngest side in the competition.
A big thank you to all who contributed throughout the season to help the club run smoothly. It takes a big team effort to keep everything going. Preparations for next season have already started!
Technorati Tags: Edinburgh, Freuchie, Freuchie Cricket Club
Team Selection
The team selection for the 1st and 2nd XI for this coming weekend are shown below.
| COMPETITON | 1st XI League |
| DATE | Sat 29th August 2009 |
| FIXTURE | Imans Edinburgh |
| VENUE | Freuchie Cricket Ground |
- R Birrell (Capt)
- S Birrell
- D Cowan (Snr)
- D Cowan (Jnr)
- A Duncan
- S Galloway
- S Gibson
- S Gourlay
- S Rowley
- J Wallace
- J McIntosh
- Res – A N Other
Players meet 10am (prompt) at Freuchie Cricket Club due to team participation in preparing teas. 12 noon match start.
Any call offs call R Birrell on 07960 568376.
| COMPETITON | 2nd XI League |
| DATE | Sat 29th August 2009 |
| FIXTURE | Imans Edinburgh |
| VENUE | Edinburgh |
- K Crichton (Capt)
- C Balfour
- B Forrester
- D Harper
- G Horsburgh
- M Jackson
- L Kelly
- C Millar
- S Munro
- A Paterson
- R Wright
- Res – n/a
Players meet at Freuchie Cricket Club at 10:45am.
Start time at Edinburgh still to be decided. Confirmation on Friday night.
Any call offs call R Birrell on 07960 568376
A final good luck to both teams.
Technorati Tags: cricket, Freuchie, Freuchie Cricket Club, Imans Edinburgh
Captain’s Corner
Another dismal batting display and some very dodgy umpiring decisions led to yet another crushing defeat for us on Saturday! We will try and recoup some pride this weekend when our opponents are Edinburgh, but at the time of writing this the prospects of play on Saturday are not looking good as the rain is currently battering off the window!
I’m looking forward to Saturday night’s presentation disco to bring to a close what has been another very difficult year and hope to see you all there for a drink, players and social members alike.
Technorati Tags: Edinburgh
Team Selection
The team selection for the 1st and 2nd XI for this coming weekend are shown below.
| COMPETITON | 1st XI League |
| DATE | Sat 22nd August 2009 |
| FIXTURE | Renfrew Cricket Club |
| VENUE | Freuchie Cricket Ground |
- R Birrell (Capt)
- S Birrell
- C Balfour
- D Cowan (Snr)
- D Cowan (Jnr)
- A Duncan
- S Galloway
- S Gourlay
- S Rowley
- J Wallace
- Res – A N Other
Players meet 10am (prompt) at Freuchie Cricket Club due to team participation in preparing teas. 1pm match start.
Any call offs call R Birrell on 07960 568376.
| COMPETITON | 2nd XI League |
| DATE | Sat 22nd August 2009 |
| FIXTURE | Leith Cricket Club |
| VENUE | Leith |
- S Kennedy (Capt)
- M Brown
- R Brown
- K Crichton
- S Gibson
- D Harper
- L Kelly
- J McIntosh
- S Munro
- A Sutherland
- R Wright
- Res – n/a
Players meet at Freuchie Cricket Club at 11:00am for 1pm start at Leith.
Any call offs call S Kennedy on 07957 585902.
Good luck once again to both teams.
Technorati Tags: cricket, Freuchie, Freuchie Cricket Club, Leith Cricket Club, Renfrew Cricket Club
Captain’s Corner
Unfortunately no play last week due to rain and no training this week due to rain!
We only have two more games to go now, so we’re hoping for two victories to finish on a high. We have Renfrew this week who we were narrowly defeated by earlier in the season, with all the rain this week it looks to be a game which will be won on the toss once again!
Technorati Tags: Renfrew Cricket Club
Team Selection
The team selection for the 1st and 2nd XI for this coming weekend are shown below.
| COMPETITON | 1st XI League |
| DATE | Sat 15th August 2009 |
| FIXTURE | Weirs |
| VENUE | Albert Park |
- R Birrell (Capt)
- S Birrell
- F Black
- D Cowan (Snr)
- D Cowan (Jnr)
- S Galloway
- S Gibson
- S Gourlay
- M Jackson
- J McIntosh
- S Rowley
- Res – n/a
Players meet 10am (prompt) at Freuchie Cricket Club for 1pm start at Weirs.
Any call offs call R Birrell on 07960 568376.
| COMPETITON | 2nd XI League |
| DATE | Sat 15th August 2009 |
| FIXTURE | Grange Cricket Club |
| VENUE | Freuchie Cricket Ground |
- S Kennedy (Capt)
- M Brown
- K Crichton
- B Forrester
- D Harper
- G Horsburgh
- L Kelly
- S Munro
- A Sutherland
- J Wallace
- R Wright
- Res – n/a
Meet at Freuchie Cricket Club at 11:30am for 1pm start.
Any call offs call S Kennedy on 07957 585902.
Good luck once again to both teams.
Technorati Tags: cricket, Freuchie, Freuchie Cricket Club, Grange Cricket Club, Weirs Cricket Club