Strathmore Cricket Union: the first 90 years a history 1928-2018

134 6 games. After a long discussion it was agreed that points gained in any games played would stand, but that those teams who had not played Cliftonbank would be awarded maximum points, as if they had won. This caused a little understandable resentment among teams who had played Cliftonbank and lost some points to them! The situation was hardly helped by the strange decision to allow Cliftonbank to continue their participation in the Two Counties Cup. ‘The Bankies’, as they were know locally, boasted a host of talented cricketers, a number of whom enjoyed ample girth. In a famous rain-affected match at Kirriemuir they enquired whether there might be covers available for the pitch. “Sorry, no,” said the ever-laconic Dave Torrie “but if two or three of you would like to take off your jumpers, that’ll probably do the job.” The departure of Strathmore led to the SCU making noises about how only one team from the Strathmore Union would be allowed to enter the 1985 Scottish Cup, but after long deliberation and submissions from interested bodies, it was agree that two would be allowed to play in the competition, at least in the 1985 season. The Championship in 1984 was won by Arbroath United for whom Neil Burnett had an average of 53.00 and won the Batting Award, and professional Clarence Parfitt took 81 wickets at 6.85. Meigle also had a good season, coming second in the 1st Division and winning the 2nd Division Championship, beating Forthill 2nd XI into second place. For the Three Counties Cup the roles of Meigle and Arbroath were reversed with Meigle beating the Lochlands men in the final, and Forthill 2nd XI beat Strathmore 2nd XI in the final of the Two Counties. Meigle’s second string around this time was a force to be reckoned with. Although stalwarts such as Bob Peters and Gavin Gerrie had retired, a new generation had grown up with players like Frank Benzies, Gavin Brown, Denis Christie, Mark Churches and Bill Morton joining the experienced duo of Rab Dow and Tammy Milne to become formidable opponents for any Second Division side. Tam Milne, an incredible servant of the Meigle club for over 50 years, was a batsman of no small skill and a purveyor of prodigiously-turning left-arm wrist spin. A testimony to the ability of Tammy’s spin to bamboozle batsman came in a match at Lochee Park. The Lawside skipper, carded to come in at number six was standing on the boundary edge engaging in pleasant conversation with the father of one of his team-mates while watching his openers making stately progress