Strathmore Cricket Union Handbook 2003

42 them John Thompson of Thompson Dye Works, Peter Marshall, James Banks, John Malloch and John McKenzie, who also played in the county team. Strathearn first joined the Perth Cricket Association in 1889 and had the honour of contesting the final of the cup the same year. They were narrowly defeated by Mayfield (still one of our great rivals today), the deficit being only two runs. In the early days they endeavoured to play teams much stronger than themselves, their reasoning being that they could learn more about this vastly interesting but complicated game quicker and better and also bring more honour to themselves if they managed to win. For a club as yet in its infancy, they travelled quite extensively playing against the North Counties at Inverness, Mr Whitelaw’s team at Nairn, Earl of Strathmore’s Eleven at Glamis and Carlisle at Carlisle . Probably the strongest team they encountered during this period was West of Scotland at Gartloch proving there was never any fear of the quality of the opposition, only a burning desire to play good cricket. One of the leading members of the club in those early days was Neil Gow and no story about Strathearn would be complete without a mention of this well-known and respected business man who also served on the town council. He had a long association with the club, firstly as a player, then as captain and latterly as President. He also took a keen interest in the County Club for whom he served as treasurer for a period. On his death Mr Gow bequeathed a sum of money to the club, the interest from which was paid each year. This extremely generous action still operates today and in this time of inflationary prices greatly assists the financial side of the game. As with many other organisations, the First World War took its toll of the club membership and the playing side in particular, one of the, losses being their captain, Alex Munro. They were lucky, however, in inducing the best of the Arnott club to change their colours and join Strathie. One of those who joined at this particular time was Bob McFarlane who became a very successful captain. Strathearn, with their usual keen eye for competition, decided to join the Dundee and District League. They were rewarded for their foresight and endeavour when in 1928 they became champions. They were in fact the ultimate winners as the league never restarted in 1929. The