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

31 of its licensed facilities or proximity to the railway station we cannot be sure, and this year the AGM passed the motion that “the duration of the match shall be five hours, exclusive of the tea interval” – a continuation, and indeed some unfinished business, from last year – and a curious decision to reject an application for 2nd XI membership from a team called the “Courier Etchers”, presumably the cartoonists from DC Thomson. One assumes that this was because the Etchers did not have a ground, but one is disappointed to see the Union not willing to expand, and in any case, it is never a good idea to upset and antagonise the gentleman of the Press! It was often claimed that the Strathmore Union was not featured enough in comparison with the Scottish Counties; this decision would not have helped. 1935 saw Arbroath retain the Championship, but in circumstances which seemed to create a certain amount of bitterness and hint perhaps that all was not so “nicey-nicey” between clubs, as sources such as newspapers and the Minute Book would tend to indicate. The problem was bad weather, particularly near the end of the season when rain prevented the playing of postponed fixtures, and there comes a point in mid-September where it is simply impossible to play cricket, given the problems of light and dampness. Arbroath were one game short of the maximum 16 and Brechin Bob Sievwright receives the trophy from the Earl of Strathmore. Bob Laing of Brechin puts a brave face on it as his rival takes ownership.