Sunday, 21st May 2006

The weather claimed the first game of two league fixtures scheduled for theBraidhaugh last weekend. The rain that stopped any chance of play on Saturday held off long enough for Crieff to taste defeat for the first time in this seasonscampaign. A soggy pitch and very damp outfield played their part in a game in which Crieff were outgunned by the very strong batting line-up of the visiting Perth team.Skipper Leon De Lange lost the toss but was one of only three Crieff batsmen to make a significant score. His twenty-seven was matched by the twenty-five made by Keith Keldie. Together these innings sandwiched a sparkling seventy-five from Phil Mestecky. Despite not scoring very much, the rest of the Crieff line-up improved on last weeks showing by batting > into the forty-first over of their innings before the team was all out for one hundred and sixty five.The Perth response was controlled and surefooted. Without attempting to force the pace the visitors scored at around three an over. After thirty overs the run rate quickened as the patience ran out and they forced home their advantage. Perth reached one hundred and sixty-six off forty-two overs and for the loss of six wickets.
>    On paper, perhaps this game was a bit one-sided. In fact, the match represents another valuable experience for this Crieff team. The young
> Crieff bowlers got some terrific exposure to bowling under pressure and emerged with a geat deal of credit. Cameron Gauld was extremely
> unfortunate not to claim another wicket from a mis-timed pull shot and Daniel Mestecky suffered the same fate following a clear edge to the
> keeper that kept very low. Both these players took wickets and this situation certainly got the best bowling display yet from Daniel Mestecky
> in a Crieff shirt.

The match ball was sponsored by D Gourlay, Butcher.