Strathmore Cricket Union Handbook 1998

19 56 but in 1958 John Dennis was hired and scored 1275 runs and took 136 wickets in the season. His remaining 3 seasons were not quite as prolific but he finished in 1961 with 4000 runs and over 400 wickets to his name. A big stepwas taken in the autumn of 1960when theClubmade application to join the East of Scotland League (formed 1953) and were accepted. Unfortunately the league had come too late for HL Stewart, who had retired in 1957, but he continued as President for 14 years and supported the Club almost right until his death in late 1995 at the age of 88. The best years of Houston and Dave Bell were also behind them and they gave up in 1965 and 1967 respectively. They are also no longer with us, having died in 1985 and 1994, but the son of the latter, Dave Junior, is very much part of the present day scenery and is likely to better HL Stewart’s career figures of 10830 runs and 659 wickets. The early years in the East League were up and down as Cupar fought it out against some of the best players and clubs in Scotland. The batting was now mainly in the hands of WY Bell, McLaren and J Stewart (son of HL), while JohnMuckersie and Bobby Houston were up-and coming seam bowlers. The former moved to Aberdeen in 1970 and still turns out for Mannofield XI at times. Jimmy Garland continued as a steady bowler and John Eagles, a left arm spinner, arrived in 1969 to give us 13 years of his time before moving on to Aberdeen GSFP where he is still. Replacement for Muckersie came in the form of Les Rubin who was Cupar’s leading bowler through the 70s and much of the 80s. The East League decided to expand at the end of 1974, forming three leagues of 8 including promotion and relegation. On the basis of their performances during the years immediately previous, Cupar were located in Division 2, but they enjoyed the occasions when they made it “upstairs” in 1979,1981-84,1986-91 and 1994, while they also appeared in theScottish Cup in 1987, 1990 and 1994. The professional era had taken off into an entirely new orbit with the arrival of overseas players and Cupar got an Australian, Graham Errington, for 1979. Unfortunately John Stewart had retired by then and although Peter McLaren was still going strong, there was not quite enough support for the professional and the Club was relegated after only one season. They blasted their way back the following year and held on grimly for three seasons, but it was sad that they should