They were made to battle every bit of the way to avoid what was nearly an ignominious defeat.

Confronted with a wicket that had taken the full brunt of the heavy rainfall in Fife in the days leading up to the game, Strathie captain Mark Stewart was delighted to win the toss and invite the home side to bat first.

Alan McKay made an early breakthrough, inducing a leading edge from the opener - the catch being well held by Chris Milne.

Andy Cooper was also soon in among the wickets as the batters struggled to come to terms with the vagaries of the pitch.

It was left to veteran springer Graham Hewitson to 'mop up the tail' and ensure that the visitors would not have to chase three figures after tea.

Milne and Mike Gourlay decided that attack was the best policy on a track that, if anything, was deteriorating after the interval.

Numerous balls were pitching on a good length only to shoot straight along the ground, making conventional shot selection worthless.

A strong position of 62 for two soon became 69 for seven and the champions were facing the real possibility of defeat against a side newly promoted from the union's second tier.

Fortunately there were still a few steady old heads left in the lower middle order - none steadier than Angus McCormack who showed the less experienced in the side how to adapt to the conditions.

He cajoled the tail through the dozen or so vital overs and past the winning line.

Rarely has their been a more hard fought or valuable 18 not out.
This week Strathmore open their home league season against Forthill.

Unavailability will rob the home side of Stewart, Milne and McKay but they hope to welcome Nigel Hazel and Dale Sweeney back into the side to compensate.

Cupar - 95 all out (Graham Hewitson, four for 10).

Strathmore - 96 for eight (C. Milne 31).

The Strathmore first eleven for the home match against Forthill on Saturday (players meet at 12 noon) is as follows:-

Michael Gourlay (captain), Nigel Hazel, Andrew Cooper, Graham Hewitson, Gary Hewitson, Matthew Simpson, Angus McCormack, Dale Sweeney, Anthony Milne, Jon Grant and Mark McIntosh; reserve, Grant McLaren.

Call-offs should be intimated to the match secretary on 07738-415327.
The Strathmore second eleven for the away match against a Montrose XI on Saturday (players meet at 11.15 am) is as follows:-

Craig McDonald (captain), Andy Sturrock, Danny Sturrock, Mark Mudie, Jennifer Mudie, Norman Milton, Grant McLaren, Stuart Lumsden, Fraser Couston, Henry Rymer and Douglas Sayers; reserve, Victor Mazella.

Call-offs should be intimated to the match secretary on 07738-415327.
The Strathmore second eleven for the away match against a Meigle XI on Sunday (players meet at 11.45 am) is as follows:-

Craig McDonald (captain), Mubeen Danish, Hamed Ali, Arniban Dey, Callum Howie, Douglas Sayers, Andy Sturrock, Victor Mazella, Christopher Milne, Russell Booth and Jamie Conran-Smith; reserve: Russell Sayers.
Call-offs should be intimated to the match secretary on 07738-415327.