Strathmore Cricket Union Handbook 1998

2 INTRODUCTION Welcome to the twentieth issue of theStrathmoreUnion's annual Handbook, a publication which has grown from humble beginnings as a tiny list of Rules and Fixtures in 1979 to the current issue which we hope will provide information, enlightenment and a little entertainment. The 1997 season was momentous for the Strathmore Union. For the first time, a Union side was successful in winning the play-off for entry to the National League and it is with some sadness that we say goodbye to Stoneywood-Dyce after only four seasons in the Union. Their triumph over Cupar in the play-off, having lost at the same stage last season, was a well-earned reward for four seasons of hard work since leaving the Aberdeen Grades. Successive championships have demonstrated that theirs is no flash-in-the-pan feat and I am sure that we shall watch the People's Park side go from strength to strength. A by-product of Stoneywood's success is the entry to the Union of Cupar. Having decided that the current structure of the East League was not providing them with enough satisfying cricket, they have applied for membership and will begin their Union campaign with a trip to Inverurie on April 25. Although they are no doubt well known to many Union clubs, we have included a short history of their club by way of an introduction. No publication of this nature can be produced without much effort by a number of people and thanks must be given to Ian Chisholm for all the statistics, Ian Potts and Bob Benzies for the photographs and all the contributors who have provided articles. It is worth remembering that this is your Handbook and it is very gratifying when individuals take the time and trouble to write something for inclusion. Why not make it you! TheUnion is indebted to all the companieswhich have taken advertisements in the handbook. Their support ensures that this booklet continues to appear. We are very grateful to themain sponsors of the Union, Dukes and Samuel Bruce, without whom we would be unable to function. The fruits of this support will be seen in the coming season through the commitment to a coaching programme aimed primarily at the smaller clubs. To end on a note of sadness,we lost three good cricketers this year. Tributes are paid elsewhere to John Durnin and Graeme Sturrock and Kirriemuir lost Peter Dorward, ex-skipper and father of John. They will be missed.