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

53 Blairgowrie were unable to compete in 1947 because of problems with their ground (although they had offered at one point to play all their games away from home) but there were now 10 teams in the League – three reserve County sides, four Angus teams, two Aberdeen teams and Meigle – and some fine cricket was played in a glorious summer. The marvellous weather (as often happens after a particularly severe winter) meant that very few games were cancelled, but there were a few crackpot letters appearing in newspapers claiming that the extreme weather of 1947 was a by-product of the atomic bombs dropped on Japan. Modern day environmentalists of the 21st century might well have whole-heartedly concurred! But the 1947 season was marred by one particularly tragic event. The great Bob Sievwright collapsed and died while playing for Arbroath against Perthshire XI at Lochlands on 12th July. He was now aged 65, and really should not have been playing at this level, but with Arbroath still struggling to get a good team on the field, Bob found the call of the willow and leather irresistible. In addition he was still actually good enough to get a game. Arbroath were sliding to defeat at the hands of the fine Perthshire side, and Sivvy came out to join his son Arthur at the crease at about ten past five. He scored three runs off the last ball of the Over, which meant he was facing the first ball of the new Over. To the horror of the crowd he made no attempt to play the ball and collapsed, probably dead before he touched the ground. Thus perished Arbroath’s greatest son, and arguably Scotland’s best ever cricketer. He played 18 times for Scotland, bowling left arm round the wicket, and he can includemen like Jack Hobbs andWarren Bardsley among his “victims”. Not the least of his many attributes was his administrative ability, and the Strathmore Union owes him a great deal for his contribution in the early days, for it was he and his good friend Bob Laing of Brechin who were the main driving forces. He was a tough competitor on the field, but a thorough gentleman off it with a keen sense of humour and an ability to encourage youngsters. Cricket dominated his life. If he was not at his joinery business in town or with his family, he was at his beloved Lochlands. The Forfar Dispatch, magnanimous and generous, pays eloquent tribute to their friendly rival. “Long shall we recall and talk about that easy action of his, always preceded by a wiping of his bowling hand upon his hip. We may not look upon his like again”.