Following on from their wonderful victory the previous day, when they beat Heriot’s by 103 runs in the Grand Final of Scottish Cricket’s season, Ferguslie Cricket Club staged a very special match at Meikleriggs for the Con de Lange and Sandy Strang Spirit of Cricket Trophy, when the club remembered and celebrated the lives of two of Paisley’s finest cricketers with a special 35 overs a side challenge match between a Ferguslie X1 and the Forty Club (Scottish District), featuring players and friends who had played with the two icons before they both, sadly, succumbed to terminal illness, Con to a brain tumour, Sandy to cancer, leaving many cricket lovers and loved ones mourning their passing. The presence of members of both families, Con’s wife Claire, and his children Daisy and Rory, with Sandy’s partner Mary, were also there to make the event a unique family occasion. Both players also spent part of their careers with great rivals Clydesdale CC, and those in attendance on and off the field had the opportunity to reminisce with fellow enthusiasts in a match befitting their memory. The match had been in some doubt due to the heavy rain which had fallen in the previous 24 hours, but after a slight delay it got underway, the crowd being treated to a right royal afternoon by players displaying their skills and remembering their great friends and team mates from not too long ago.
The Ferguslie X1 batted first and in a total of 172 for the loss of 6 wickets, batters Tim Preston-Jones and son Gregor led the way with 50 not out and 48 respectively, allowing the “home” side to post a good total from their 35 overs, and giving the visiting Forty Club a decent target to chase in reply. The match was played in a great spirit, perhaps best illustrated by Ferguslie First X1 captain Riyaad Henry, making his final appearance at Meikleriggs, guesting for both sides when they were in the field. The visitors were unable to come close to the target set, however, as they were bowled out for 113, Kelburne bowler Jav Ashraf, who spent a season at Ferguslie during his career inflicting some of the damage on the Forty Club with 3 wickets, while another notable feature of the innings came from Henry, putting in a virtuoso spin bowling performance, when he had been noted for his batting and fast bowling during his time with Ferguslie, who picked up the final couple of wickets to wind up proceedings in a match remembered for all the right reasons.
Several fund raising schemes were run during the day, and a total of £1776 was split equally between the Brain Tumour and Marie Curie Charities, a fitting tribute to two well remembered and respected players who graced cricket grounds all over the country.
A memorable cricket season for Ferguslie cricket fans is now over, but weather permitting, a Fete will be held next Sunday, 11 September, commencing at 1.00pm, to which all members of the public are cordially invited.