Strathmore and Perthshire Cricket Union Handbook 2010

28 MICHAEL J. S. WALTON 1944 – 2009 It was with great sadness to his family and friends that Mike Walton passed away on 23 rd August 2009. Mike played cricket for Forfarshire prior to coming and playing for Meigle Cricket Club in the early 1970’s. One of the best all round cricketers that ever played for Meigle CC and also within the Strathmore Union, Mike won many trophies with Meigle Cricket Club. An agressive left-handed batsman and a quickish right- hand bowler, his greatest achievement was to win both the Strathmore Union batting and bowling averages in 1979, a feat previously done in 1935 by Willie Eddie of Brechin and only achieved once since, in 1982 by Jerry Moir of Aberdeen Grammar FPs. Both these men gained international honours for Scotland, something a player of Mike’s talent might easily have emulated. Mike’s achievements in 1979 were outstanding; he scored 531 runs at an average of 59.00 per innings and took 46 wickets at an average of 7.20 each. This achievement was down to his natural ability as both batsman and bowler to out-think other players through the use of good eye and hand co ordination. Mike also had the great ability to read a game and be able always to be one step ahead of the opposition. More than just a cricket player Mike had a natural talent for the game and was a charismatic individual who was very widely known and respected within and out with cricket circles throughout the country. Bill Morton