Scottish Cricket: Ferguslie make it to top flight (1 Sep 1998)

1 September 1998

Scottish Cricket: Ferguslie make it to top flight

By Keith Graham

THE divisional line-ups for next year's fully-fledged Scottish National League were largely resolved at the weekend.

Ferguslie's victory over Aberdeenshire, already assured of their place in the top flight, ensured them of first division cricket.

Ferguslie struggled with the bat on a slow, low wicket, finding the boundary on only three occasions and it was only when their captain Stuart Kennedy arrived at the wicket that any urgency was injected.

Nevertheless a total of 131 for 8 should have been well within the visitors' compass and it seemed to be that way when Mike Smith greeted the introduction of Gary McLauchlin to the attack with successive sixes.

But, going for a third, he was well caught by Alan Burgess on the long-on boundary.

The last six batsmen then capitulated for just 13 runs to give McLauchlin 6 for 20 with his slow in-swingers.

There were celebrations, too, for Aberdeenshire's neighbours Stoneywood Dyce after they had thrashed RHSM in a one-sided contest. Having posted 200 with Peter Coetzer scoring a solid 58, they shot out the visitors for a meagre 65 earning the much coveted third place in Conference B and first division status.

For RHSM there was nothing but gloom as they learned that Perthshire had earned just enough points in their draw with Drumpellier to ensure second division cricket and send the Edinburgh side into the third division.

Clydesdale's fleeting hopes of reaching the top flight from Conference C were laid to rest when they went down to Greenock at Glenpark in a high scoring game on Saturday and then drew at home with Arbroath on Sunday.

Greenock's successful chase of 250, led by Chris Swan's unbeaten 78 and skipper Kenny Godsman's 54, puts them well in contention for the first division.

Their closest rivals Prestwick just failed to collect maximum points at the Oval with Edinburgh Accies' last pair defying them, so that final place is up for grabs next Saturday.

Poloc's home Conference B defeat at the hands of a resurgent Strathmore, consigns them to the third division where they will be joined by GHK, Stenhousemuir, Stirling and Falkland for whom Saturday's victories came too late.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)