Weekend preview – 15th/16th April

After 7 long months, action is returning to Grange Loan as this weekend features our first round of pre-season fixtures for the 2023 season.

On Saturday the First XI will travel through to Meikleriggs for a game against Ferguslie, a reverse fixture from last years pre-season. In that match the Arrows claimed a 2 wicket win over the men from Paisley. The sides also recently met  in the semi final of the National T20 competition in 2021 in Arbroath. A Tom Simpson half-century helped build a solid first innings total that proved too much for Ferguslie on the day. Our most recent visit to Meikleriggs was the 2019 Scottish Cup final versus Heriot’s, however the Arrows will be hoping for a different result on Saturday. Ferguslie have performed consistently well through in the West in recent times, winning last years Western Premiership on the final day as well as the Rowan Cup.  New signing Daniel Da Costa will be available for selection for the Arrows, as well as the returning Finn Thornton.

Also on Saturday the Second XI will host Edinburgh Accies at Grange Loan. This will be the first pitch that Alasdair McLeod has been responsible in six and a half years.  The side from north Edinburgh finished 5th in last seasons ESCA Championship, one spot bellow the 2s. The sides met twice last year in the league with the Arrows winning both fixtures. In last seasons game at Grange Loan the 2s set a commanding total of 293 after a century from Kyle Macpherson and 72 from Hayden Laing. In the second innings Charles Stronach shined with the ball taking 3-22 from 7 overs to help bowl out Accies for 124 in the 32nd over. The game at New Field was a low scoring affair with the Arrows setting a total of 149. Accies were bundled out for 86, with Omar Ahmad picking up 4 scalps.

On Sunday afternoon, Grange Loan will welcome back the 4th and 5th XIs for a 40 over intra-club pre-season fixture. Brothers Alan and Keith Murray will skipper two sides made up of a mixture of youth and experience.