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

92 Health Service coped admirably with the physical symptoms of the disease but was less successful against the hysteria which, among other things, led to the cancellation of a few cricket fixtures! Even after the Granite City was given the “all clear”, some neurotic teams visiting Mannofield and Rubislaw were known to bring their own sandwiches. And none of them contained corned beef! But eventually the Queen went to Aberdeen, and everything was all right! Myles once again topped the Bowling Averages in 1964 with 60 wickets at 4.35, and Gavin McKiddie came second, beating all professionals. Myles was particularly impressive in the Three Counties Cup final when he took 7 for 21 at Meigle against the Perthshire Cricket Association. Coupar Angus won the 2nd Division championship and the Two Counties Cup beating Arbroath XI in the final at Lochside. Playing for Coupar Angus that night was no less a person than Alan Gilzean of Dundee and Scotland, who a few months earlier had become the hero of all Scotland by scoring the only goal of the game as Scotland beat England 1-0 at Hampden Park. He was less successful at Lochside Park that night, scoring one less run than he did goals at Hampden! It was first ball, as well, and “Stick to fitba’, Alan” was the cry. The Batting Averages were topped by Doug Greasley of Arbroath, but the best amateur was Stan Keir of Aberdeen Grammar School FP. The Union played 3 Representative games that year with varying fortunes. A heavy defeat at Carlton to the East of Scotland had to be added to a dull draw against the Scottish Counties at Forthill on the debit side, but Myles took 6 for 28 against the Western Union on his own pitch at Lochside as the Western Union were dismissed for 81 and the Strathmore Union won by 8 wickets. Following the temporary loss of the Championship to Blairgowrie in 1965, business returned to normal in 1966, a year better known to followers of English football as the year in which they won the World Cup. Locally, the Tay Road Bridge was opened in Dundee, spelling as it did the end of the Royal Arch and the “Fifie”, the ferry which went back and forwards over the river. Time had moved on, and car ownership was now the norm, even among the working population, whereas even ten years before, it had still been very much a middle class phenomenon or the domain of those who needed to impress.