Only one over was possible in the 1st XI’s opening league match of the season against Aberdeenshire at Mannofield on Saturday. Weather forecasts earlier in the week suggested Aberdeen would escape the worst of the forecast rain. In the event the opposite was the case. Overnight rain gave way to a light drizzle but with the outfield saturated play was delayed until 2 pm. ‘Shire won the toss and put us in to bat. Kyle McCallum faced Shire’s Kiwi left arm pace bowler Callum Mackaness who took wickets in the corresponding match last season. Two trademark blows from Kyle and two wides and we were off to a flier, 9 for no wicket. Before the players could take their positions for the second over the drizzle became heavier and the umpires took the players off. This was followed by persistent rain and the inevitable cancellation came at 3.30pm.

Club President, Lawrance Reilly was the day’s ball sponsor and was present to witness the very limited action.

Next Saturday the 1sts are at Grange Loan to play Carlton who were somewhat surprising losers to Stoneywood Dyce.

The 1st XI won their warm up match today v Stirling County at New Williamfield by 6 wickets in glorious April sunshine. All round a most encouraging performance for the league season ahead.

Stirling County 153 all out Stew-Mel 156-4

Man of the match: Ben Wilkinson

Ball sponsor: Bert Barclay

Scorecard https://t.co/BRpujyJoi2

The Club prevailed to win the traditional Season’s opener by 8 runs after scoring 140 off 36.1 overs.

It was agreed to play a 40 overs a side match with 12 players in each side, no more than 11 fielding at any time. SMCC batted first in sunny but cold conditions. The bulk of the 140 runs scored came from new recruit Ben Wilkinson (39), this year’s cricket gap student from Australia, Sam Langley (21) and 2018 school leaver Chris Hill (32). In reply, Harry Johnstone opening the batting for SMC was the only bat in the top half to make double figures with a solid 30 in 56 minutes including three 4s as the school side struggled to 52 for 7 after 21 overs. A recovery by Matteo Mercantonio (27) and Cameron Ede (30) batting 8 and 9 took the school side to within sight of victory and needing only 11 runs to win with two wickets and seven overs left. At that point Sam Langley back for a second spell grabbed the final two wickets and the win finishing with 5 for 19. Asad Amir, recruited from Edinburgh Accies took 3 for 13 off 5 overs in his first match for the club. Cameron Ede 4 for 17 off 6.1 overs and Sam Tait 2 for 15 off 8 overs were the best of the school’s bowlers.

The match ball sponsor for the day was former Principal, David Gray, who continues to take an interest in the club’s activities from afar.