Dunnikier aim to do a Leicester in cricket's Scottish Cup

The Kirkcaldy side are making their first venture into the Scottish Cup against last year’s beaten finalists, Clydesdale.

The 50 over match against the Western Premiership Champions, who lost to Grange in the 2015 final, is scheduled for a 12 o’clock start at Dunnikier Park.

Steve Rowley, Dunnikier head coach, is hoping to lead his team to a historic upset.

“It would be like Leicester City winning the Premiership in England,” he said.

“They are the biggest team in the west and were runners-up in last year’s Scottish Cup, so they will be formidable opposition.

“They’ll be a bit humbled coming to Dunnikier and using our facilities but we’ll give it a good go.

“The boys will be well up for it and looking to put on a good display.

“Hopefully we don’t embarrass ourselves, and savour the occasion.

“If we can bat well and bowl well we can give them a game, especially on our own wicket.

“If we carry a bit of luck and take our chances, then you never know.”

Rowley also called on ex-players and cricket fans across Fife to head to Kirkcaldy to support the local side.

It is the second match of a double header this weekend for Dunnikier who also travel to Edinburgh side Marchmont on Saturday in the league.

Last weekend, Dunnikier entertained Edinburgh Cricket Club on a rather chilly Saturday afternoon in Kirkcaldy.

Edinburgh won the toss and inserted Dunnikier to bat first on a decent looking batting track.

Dunnikier’s openers started well and put on a 50 partnership off 10 overs before Yousuf was clean bowled for 25 by Khan.

Tariq Aziz was next in and with some aggressive batting took the game to the Edinburgh bowlers.

Aziz and Rowley put on 100 for the second wicket before Aziz was eventually stumped for 44. Khurrann was next in but fell for only two runs.

Rowley reached a patient 53 before falling LBW. Two more quick wickets and Dunnikier were slightly faltering at 180 for six.

Rafi and Asim steadied proceedings putting on 50 for the seventh wicket, Rafi scoring 37.

Alas, a late collapse resulted in Dunnikier’s last four wickets totalling seven runs, leaving Dunnikier 237 all out.

A defendable total? Dunnikier thought so, but Edinburgh started brightly and raced to 40 off the first six overs.

Captain Sharif decided to make a double bowling change to stem the flow of runs. It was a good decision as Rowley took a wicket maiden in his first over.

Backed up by Saeed at the other end Dunnikier began to slow the run rate down putting pressure on the Edinburgh batsmen to chase down the Dunnikier score.

Rowley took two more wickets, dismissing opener Hussain for 55. An early dismissal by opener Shazad and Edinburgh CC were 114 for four wickets after 30 overs.

The game finely balanced at this point as Edinburgh batted patiently taking their score to 170 of 41 overs before the next wicket fell.

Some fine batting and some poor ground fielding took Edinburgh’s total to 208 for six after 46 overs.

Needing 30 to win off four overs Edinburgh hit the ball to all parts of the boundary and reached their 238 target with three balls to spare.

A second defeat for Dunnikier but the game of cricket was the winner with such an exciting match.

Senior outdoor practice takes place on Tuesdays, 6.00 to 8.00 p.m while junior practice is every Friday 6.00 to 8.00 p.m, and is free.

For more info contact coach Steve on 07712164543.