In September 1985, Freuchie became the first and only team from Scotland to win the National Village Cup; beating Rowledge by virtue of fewer wickets lost. It was the tightest winning margin in a final in the history of the tournament. The match report from the 1986 annual is as follows…
Headlines shouted “Freuchie Fever,” “The Lairds Lord it.” It was proclaimed as “The International” when “Dad’s Tartan Army” invaded Lord’s. But perhaps the most accurate of all was the one which stated “Best of British… Lord’s Treated to a Thriller” when, with the scores tied, Freuchie from Fife beat Rowledge of Surrey by virtue of losing fewer wickets.
The closest final in the 14 years of the competition, it was played and supported in a marvellous and infections spirit, when neither side deserved to lose, and when the game of cricket was the true winner.
Alan Prior [Rowledge captain] won the toss and elected to bat on a blustery day of little sun. Tony Hook and Simpson started steadily until Simpson was caught, hooking. Neil Dunbar then joined Hook and they put on together the best partnership of the day, adding 41 until the opener lost his off-stump to Niven MacNaughton.
The front cover of the 1986 annual, which depicts the Freuchie squad arriving at Lord’s
After an hour, in the 18th over, 56 for 2 was a cheering start for Rowledge. Chris Yates looked good until he tried to cut where no cut could be, and one run later Paul Offord was brilliantly run out by Andrew Crichton – a piece of fielding that brought the Press Box to its feet.
The brothers Dunbar added 20 for the 5th wicket before a fraternal misunderstanding left Neil stranded for a fine 33. 96 for 5 in 26 overs. Terry Trewartha came on to bowl from the Pavilion end. In 7.3 overs, he took 4 for 24… When he had Jim Refford lbw in the last over, Rowledge had lost their last five wickets for 26 runs. The “Mean Machine” had operated well. They had bowled a tight line and length and had been supported by one of the most electrifying exhibitions ever seen at “Headquarters.”
Chasing 134, the Scots started slowly in face of some fine bowling from Field, Refford and Prior. It was to be a long hard struggle. Alan Duncan batted circumspectly until he fell to the left arm spin of Brian Silver.
Shortly thereafter at 52 for 4, in the 21st over, the applauds of the tartan army were distinctly muted. David Cowan and Stuart Irvine gave them something to shout about, Cowan hitting 16 off 22 balls and Irvine 24 off only 19.
Silver bemused Cowan. Irvine hit Prior into the stands, then hit his foot, and then hit the ball straight back to the bowler. 91 for 6 after 24 overs. Trewartha saw up the 100 before being bowled by Refford. David Christie, president, captain and caretaker and affectionately known as “Dad” throughout the club, joined George Crichton, by trade a sand-blaster. They decided to chip gently away. They kept their heads, their wickets and the score ticking over.
Freuchie skipper David Christie clutches the Village Cup
Tension mounted and even a psychiatrist started to bite her nails. Off the last ball of the penultimate over, “Dad” was run out a attempting a single to gully. Crichton took a single to level the scores off the first ball of the last over, and Brian Christie, “son of Dad,” was left to block it out. A “leg-bye” disallowed for no stroke offered, led to a brief invasion of supporters. David Christie saw them back and Freuchie had won the greatest game in their history.
David Christie received the cup and a cheque for £500. The president of the MCC George Mann presented the medallions to both teams as well as a cheque for £250 to the noble losers, Rowledge. Mike Ramsbotham presented the Daily Mirror Man of the Match to Stuart Irvine.
In this the 200th anniversary of Scottish cricket, the Gods smiled on Freuchie. Scotland duly feted them, and rightly too, for they and their supporters had conducted themselves in exemplary way, both on and off the field, with great style, grace and charm.
You can now enter the 2020 Village Cup! Click here to complete the short form and start your club’s journey to Lord’s!
