3rds Comfortable Win (eventually)

Holy Cross 3 : 217-5 (40 overs), Leith FAB 3 : 109-7 (8 men)

A century partnership from Mike Nevin (70) and Scott Russell (36) plus some excellent late tonking from Omar Ahmed and Coco took the 3rds to our highest score of the season (last 10 seasons ?)

Things were looking a bit scary when the number 4 and 5 batsmen started smacking 4s and 6s off Sharpe and Coco (with the latter redeeming himself by taking a wicket for every boundary conceded). Two fine catches from Ellis and Geddes got rid of the tonkers. Ellis took the final wicket so Coco had to settle for 6-48.

So 3 wins out of 4 this season - another great team performance

p.s. don't ask Coco about his batting average .....

Cricket History

Upcoming TV series (part one tonight) that may be of interest to Crossers:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00l16vk

Sixty Point Saturday

For the first weekend in some time all three teams won their matches.

The 2nds' victory the most unlikely-by 1 wicket following a final wicket partnership of 40-odd between Gerry and Zeeshan (details to follow from Ziggy or James P...). Highlights of the 3rd team win included 70 from Mike Nevin and 6 wickets for McGill.

Some brief details of the 1st team game:

At Arboretum:

Holy Cross 226-4
E. Smith 68*, K. Fraser 41, C. Ellis 40.

Heriots 2 192 ao
T. Weereratna 61
T. Harwick 36
A Butt 27

D. Russell 3-21
R. Worsnop 3-28
C. O. Smith 2-44

Lovely weather, decent pitch and a close game of cricket which appeared to be heading Heriots' way after Tino's partnerships with Butt (out unluckily) and Harwick had taken them from 80-4 to 170 odd for 5. Fortunately, we finally held on to a few catches towards the end. Earlier Euan continued his good form while all the other batsmen made useful contributions.

Both sides a bit light on bowling resources, though Heriots were able to encourage Asim Butt to play his first game for a while: his 10 overs, 1/15 showed his class-and his ability to swing the ball a long way. We struggled a bit in the field against some aggressive middle-order batting but it's encouraging that we've found a way to win 3 tight games so far. 3 wins out of 4 equals our start in Div 1 in 1998 -and is our best start (in Div 1 in its various forms) since at least 1990 (pvb-any better starts from the 80s?-unlikely given the strength of ESCA Div 1 in that decade).

Heriots' view of proceedings here:
http://www.heriotscricket.com/id10.html

Saturday's results leave Div 1 (roughly) like this:

F'House 100
HCross 85
B'Muir 78.8
Glens 73.8
Accies 71
Wats 66.67
MDafs 64
Largo 55
Carlton 45
Heriots 31.67

League Weekend 5 and the Week Ahead

First off, no nets tonight as there is a game on at Newfield.

Saturday fixtures -

• 1sts vs Heriots 2nds, home at Arboretum, 1pm start
• 2nds vs Heriots 3rds, away at Goldenacre, 1.30pm start
• 3rds vs Leith FAB 3rds, home at Campbell Park, 1.30pm start

Next Tuesday evening is the second round of the Parks Trophy, at home to Edinburgh 2nds and next Wednesday evening there are nets at Newfield.

1st teamers please note that after Heriots this Saturday, your next game is on Sunday 7th June, vs Edinburgh Accies at Newfield.

End of SNCL? (update)

http://sport.scotsman.com/cricket/Sandy-Strang-Clubs-placed-on.5300796.jp

One club at least are unhappy about this proposal:
http://www.cricketeurope4.net/DATABASE/ARTICLES2/articles/000057/005775.shtml

Midweek XI lose to Maccabi

The midweek XI lost their opening game vs Maccabi (led by Gus McLean).
42 from Bainbro and 40 odd not out from Dougie and other bits and pieces (including a massive 6 from Andrew G) helped us set Maccabi 130 to win off 18 overs. Despite reducing them to 6-2 and a tight spell from Andrew G (4 overs for 13), some big hitting from Allam (70-odd) took Maccabi past the total with some comfort. The remaining bowling figures are to be protected under the 30 year rule...

Pope arrives at the Cross - but 2s still lose

Having won the toss and stuck them in we managed to get an early breakthrough courtesy of Amjid, a further wicket followed soon after however the runs were flowing and we were going at 5 an over eg 75 off the first 15. Thankfully, some good catching kept us in the game and as the wickets fell the run rate slowed. 9th wicket fell with DAFS on 139 off 35. An unbroken 10th wicket stand took DAFS to 162 off the 45. 42 of the runs (25% approx for those that can't do maths) were extras, which is disappointing and contributed to our defeat. However, the fielding display was very good by all. Special mention to James Pope who bowled as well as anybody has seen him do so at the Cross, and from both ends, even taking a catch to boot, albeit off his own bowling!

Amjid, 1 for 37 off 9
Zeeshan, 1 for 36 off 9
Andy Robertson 0 for 36 off 9
Gerry 3 for 24 off 9
Pope 4 for 13 off 9

A disappointing tea followed - please note that tea for 2 means exactly that! You don't just bring your own or nothing, you bring enought for 2 people. For those that don't contribute, well you can just go hungry next time!

Our innings got off to a reasonable start, posting 84 for 2 off the first 25 overs. The runs then dried up and the usual collapse then followed, with us being all out in the 38th over 30 runs short.

Paul Bailey made a good 42. Shifty, Amjid and skip all contributing 15 each - i.e. not enough! Andrew Robertson made a useful 10, including a lovely back foot punched drive through mid off. They gave away 17 extras!

Thirds in entertaining victory at Grange Loan

I've just returned from Grange Loan where I witnessed a match in which the balance of the match shifted several times and produced a highly entertaining finish.

Ken will (...) fill us in on the details of the match (especially the first half, which I didn't witness; though I believe several bowlers completed good spells on a wicket not typical of those in Div 8).

After a steady start from Nevin and Lawrie against some brisk bowling, Mahmood (21) gave the innings impetus with a series of swept boundaries. In partnership with Scott Russell, he appeared to be taking Cross to victory before playing a tired sweep/swipe and falling lbw. This precipitated a collapse from about 70-3 to 75-7 which may well make for entertaining viewing on PVB's film. So too will an early contender for 'most amusing onfield incident':

At the fall of the 5th wicket, McGill (from the pavillion) and Keith Geddes (from the top of the hill) both made their way towards to the wicket -apparently both thought they had been told by Ken that they would bat at 7. In actuality the start of Colin's innings was only delayed by two balls...

Good later order batting from Andrew G (22, including a four clubbed into a garden beyond the top of the slope), Dave Sharpe (19*, including several well-struck lofted drives) and Coco (19*, including several classy shots and the winning boundary-guided past 2nd slip) took Cross to a 2 wicket victory.

An excellent win and superb entertainment.

scorecard and report here available here:
http://www.carltoncc.co.uk/fixtures_2009_4.htm#May24

...Breaking News...Thirds set 132 to win at Grange Loan....

Nevin and Lawrie opening, Din at 3....

1sts and 2nds lose

Div 1
Fauldhouse 149 for 9 50 overs

Holy Cross 90 for 9 50 overs

C Ellis 40 no
D Law 10 overs 2 for 7
J Bailey 10 overs 3 for 8

Frankly not much to add from a fairly miserable day on which we conceded too many runs and then soon collapsed to 21-5-albeit against some very tight bowling on an extremely tricky wicket (just ask Dougie and Euan about the balls that dismissed them).

Only two real highpoints: several sharp stumpings from Simon and a superb fielding display from Roland; including an early contender for catch of the season, in which he deployed the 'Dannreuther magic extending arm'.

A brief mention in the Evening News:
http://sport.scotsman.com/cricket/Cricket-Sevak-and-Sands-.5299105.jp

The loss leaves us third in Div 1:

B'Muir 100
Fauldhouse 100
HX 76.67
Watsonians 75
Mufs 68.75
Glens 65
Largo 65
Accies 63.75
Heriots 30
Carlton 26.67

Our next game is at home to Heriots:
http://tinyurl.com/qp4u96


Div 5

Mufs 3rd XI 162-9
Holy Cross 2nd XI 131

More details to follow.
Remember that the Thirds play at Grange Loan on Sunday- supporters welcome.

League Weekend 4 and the Week Ahead

Good luck to all this weekend. Fixtures are as follows -

• 1sts vs Fauldhouse, away, 1pm start - Saturday
• 2nds vs Murrayfield-DAFS 3rds, at Arbo, 1.30pm start - Saturday
• 3rds vs Carlton 4ths, at Grange Loan, 1.30pm start - Sunday

In addition, Doc Rodent, Gerry Lohan's band, are playing on Saturday night from 9.30. No news on whether they'll be doing any Duckworth Lewis Method covers (see Charlie's post below - one of DLM's songs, Jiggery Pokery, describes Shane Warne's "Ball of the Century" from the point of view of the bamboozled Mike Gatting: "I focused on my dinner, little cause to fear their young leg spinner.")

Next week sees the first midweek friendly, on Tuesday night (the 26th) against Maccabi at Arbo. If interested please contact Colin McGill or Jon Bates or comment on this blog. We're not yet sure whether there will be nets on Wednesday night as usual - there's a game on the Newfield square and someone mentioned something about a football match ......

Cup Dates Update

• Tuesday 2nd June - Parks Trophy 2nd Round vs Edinburgh CC at Arbo
• Sunday 14th June - Cricket Scotland Trophy 1st Round vs Dundee HSFP at Arbo
• Sunday 21st June - Presidents Trophy 2nd Round vs Marchmont at Arbo

In addition we are drawn away at Livingston in the Cow Corner 20:20 with the tie due to be played some time before 19th June.

The Duckworth Lewis Method - the concept album....

From the Today Programme, May 21st:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8061000/8061068.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8061417.stm

Beaten but not disgraced

Masterton Trophy-first round.

Holy Cross 102 for 5 off 20 overs
C. A. Smith 28
Bainbridge 18
Dannreuther 19
Fraser 16*

Routray 1-10
Flannigan 2-18

Watsonians 104-3 off 14.2 overs.
Chalmers 41
Cairns 33
Stubbs 20

Ellis 2/23
Bainbridge 1-19

Watsonians' take on events:
http://www.watsoniancricket.co.uk/news.php?id=249

Masterton team released to the press

(revised) XI for Masterton Trophy 1st round tie versus Watsonians at Arboretum
-on Tuesday May 19th.

5.50 for a 6.15 start

Anyone able to get down early to help with ground prep etc
is encouraged to do so. Supporters welcome.

K. Fraser (c)
I. Astley
R. Bainbridge
J. Bates
R. Dannreuther
C. Ellis
A. Robertson
M. Robertson
S. Pickering (wkt)
D. Russell
C. A. Smith

2s Lose to Leith FAB IIs

Even though we were reduced to 9 men due to a very late call off and Shammo taking the Edinurgh Tour Bus to Leith, skip, on winning his first coin toss for god knows how long, had no hesitation in sticking the oppos in on a damp wicket. Smudger repaid his skip's faith by taking 2 wickets in the first over. However, then Shammo turned up taking us to 10, and they put on 120 odd for the next wicket. Arfan, a friend of Amjid's then arrived to take us to 11 and having been 70 for 2 after 25 overs, the next 20 overs went for 113 with the loss of only 4 further wickets. Smudger, Amjid and Lohan should be commended for their fine bowling display. Smudger 2 for 21, Amjid 1 for 20 and Gerry 0 for 18. Leith FAB ending up on 183 for 6 off 45 overs. It should be noted that having scored his first 50 for the club in over 2 years, JB took his first wicket in over 4!

HX's response started poorly and progressed to catastrophe. Reduced to 35 for 5 in the first 15 overs. Simon Sampson and JB then put on something close to a stand, with JB falling for 37 with the score on 84. Simon followed soon after for 27 followed by Amjid for 8, who to his credit walked for a very fine and unheard nick behind with only the keeper appealing. What followed almost won us the game. Shammo was joined at the crease by Smudger and the pair put on 62 for the 9th wicket. Shammo making a fine 'shotty ho' 43 and Smudger 15. With 21 needed off 4 overs Shammo was out LBW followed quickly by Smudger. Cheers for almost getting us home guys. We ended up with 8 points which at one time looked like being 3.

Stump Thieves Strike Again

After the lengthy interruptions to the 1st XI match vs Mufs at Roseburn caused by stump-stealing youths, it seems the same lads were in Stockbridge on Saturday. This is from SOS's report on the Scotland versus Warwickshire match on May 16th:

'The match was interrupted in bizarre fashion when a man darted on to the pitch, pinched a bail, and made an audacious escape over the boundary wall'

http://sport.scotsman.com/cricket/More-assured-showing-does-Saltires.5274844.jp

Apparently it cost Scotland the match....

http://sport.scotsman.com/cricket/Cricket-39Idiot39-bailthief39s-antics-leave.5276151.jp

Skipper's top knock inspires 2nd win for 1sts

Holy Cross 205ao (49.4)
E. C. Smith 90
S. Pickering 22
R. Dannreuther 21
K. Fraser 17

D. Lewis 4/40

Glenrothes 165ao (39.2 overs)
J.Scott 45
C. Ross 43

S. Bonfield: 10 overs, 2/20.
R. Worsnop: 10 overs, 4/48
C. Ellis: 10 overs, 2/45
I. Astley: 6 overs, 1/36
D. Russell: 2.2, 1/2.

After under-performing against Glenrothes in several recent games, events followed a familiar pattern as a series of soft dismissals left us struggling at 57-4 and then (despite useful contributions from Simon and Keith) 129-7. The pitch was damp but perfectly playable after Friday's downpour, while the short boundary on the western side made scoring a little easier.

We were helped by some wayward Glenrothes bowling (including 18 wides) but in the main our above par 205 was built upon the efforts of our strong lower order (especially Roland at 9) and, in particular, Euan’s fine knock. The skipper accelerated at just the right time and consequently we dominated the final 14 overs (in which we scored 80). A key feature of Euan’s innings was the severe treatment he meted out to anything short – especially from Boyd. By the end he was also striking his drives with confidence; including a six over extra cover. Unfortunately he got a thin nick to the next ball and thus fell short of a deserved hundred (but still reached his highest 1st team league score).

Shannon dismissed key bat Boyd with his 2nd ball (not his best-but they all count) and we soon had the squeeze on the Glenrothes batting (14/1 off 7 overs), with Robin getting Morrison and – just as he was getting going – Honeyman, via a fine catch from Simon. OA Scott started solidly before exploding in the 20th over, hitting Robin for 6, 4, dot, 6, 4 with a series of fine strokes that threatened the buses in Ferry Road. Just as he threatened to wrest control of the game, Keith took a good catch near the midwicket boundary. We subsequently retained control of the game; despite some sloppy bowling from the dibbly-dobblers, a rapid 43 from Cammy Ross and a cocked-up run out attempt. Some solid catching from KF, Calum (2 each), Euan, Robin and Dougie helped us close out the game. These were just the type of catches we put down regularly last season. All that fielding practice is already paying dividends…

Glenrothes' view of events (plus full scorecard) here:

http://tinyurl.com/o3v8u8

Evening News' East League roundup
http://sport.scotsman.com/cricket/Cricket-McGrath-leads-by-example.5276176.jp

Ed Smith? Euan did bat well but not sure he quite looked like a test bat...

Mind you neither did Ed Smith.
At least the Evening News managed to spell Robin's surname correctly..

League Weekend 3 and The Week Ahead

The forecast for this afternoon and evening look terrible, but Saturday looks OK so far, so please assume games are on unless/until you hear otherwise.

• 1sts vs Glenrothes, home at Arboretum Road, 1pm start
• 2nds vs Leith FAB 2nds, away at Leith Links, 1.30pm start
• 3rds vs Peebles County 2nds, home at Campbell Park, 1.30pm start.

On Tuesday night the 1sts take on Watsonians 1sts in the Masterton Trophy at Arboretum Road with a 6.15pm start. On Wednesday night there are nets as usual at Newfield from 6.30pm.

PS - Please remember that the 3rds' game next weekend is on the Sunday (24th) - a rare opportunity to play at Carlton's home ground, Grange Loan, one of the most picturesque on the East League circuit. (Not to mention a pretty good wicket.)

Sundays, Bloody Sundays

Sunday's Presidents Trophy fixture is off as our opponents are unable to field a team. We are now drawn at home to our old friends, Marchmont, with the tie to be played by 14th June. Watch this space.

As Paul has pointed out elsewhere, concessions are becoming increasingly common in the Sunday cups. In 2007 4 of the 16 first round games in the Presidents Trophy and 2 of the 8 second round games were conceded. Last year it was 5 of the 16 first round games, 3 of the 8 second round games and 1 of the quarterfinals. (We had walkovers in both the first two rounds, before playing two ties and then virtually conceding the final ourselves). This year 5 of the 15 first round ties have already been conceded, with only two played so far.

There are plenty of explanations for this. We all know it's tough to get Sunday sides out - we've struggled badly ourselves from time to time. (A special mention here for the Huntly Seven - we'd thought we were Eight, but each driver thought one of the others was picking up Shammo, who was therefore left behind). At least a couple of the teams who've conceded thought they'd withdrawn from the competition. And after this mini-rant we're almost bound to fail to get a team out for the second round.

But, all of that said, I'm left wondering if there is enough appetite for Sunday cricket for the Presidents Trophy and Plate to survive. I hope so, but it's difficult to feel very confident about it just at the moment.

Midweek Friendly Dates - Updated

Here are the midweek friendlies I've arranged so far. There'll probably be a few more once it's clearer how far we're likely to go in the three midweek cups. Colin McGill is your midweek captain.

• Tuesday May 26th vs Maccabi (Arbo)
• Thursday June 25th vs Currie-Balerno (Arbo)
• Tuesday July 7th vs Old Contemptibles (Arbo)
• Tuesday July 14th vs Murrayfield-DAFS (Arbo)
• Thursday July 23rd vs Edinburgh University Staff (probably Peffermill)
• Thursday July 30th vs Scottish Widows (Arbo)
• Tuesday August 4th vs Edinburgh South (Arbo)

All 3 teams undefeated

Both the 1st & 2nd team matches were called off without a ball being bowled.

The 3rds managed about 14 overs, reducing Mufs 4th XI to about 24-2 (I'm relying here on someone with a somewhat unreliable memory [apparently it was 49-2!]). Apparently the game was then cancelled as the rain got heavier and "everyone was a bit cold".

Given that the weather was excellent from about 4.30pm and the match was being played on an artificial wicket, why wasn't the game completed??

League Weekend 2

Best of luck to all in tomorrow's fixtures

• 1sts vs Boroughmuir, away at Meggetland, 1pm start.
• 2nds vs Peebles County, home at Arbo, 1.30pm start.
• 3rds vs Murrayfield-DAFS 4ths, away on the Roseburn artificial, 1.30pm start.

No Rugby League fans or cider promotions this week, although I can't make any promises about stump-swiping neds.

A Walk(over) in the Park(s)

Sadly, Kirk Brae have been unable to raise a team for tomorrow night's first round clash in the Parks Trophy, so we're through. Not quite the way we hoped to bounce back from Sunday's cup disappointment, but it sets up a second round tie at Arbo against Edinburgh CC, to be played before June 5th. Watch this space for updates.

By the way, the 3rds won on Saturday - they're just too modest, or perhaps shocked, to say so. Chasing Edinburgh South's 129, they got the runs for the loss of seven wickets with Andy Quinn top scoring on 38.

2s Lose Close Game to Edinburgh South

HX IIs 137 ao off 42.3 overs lost to ES by 3 wickets.
(P.Bailey 23, J.Bates 43, M. Robertson 17)
A Khan 3/19, G McLean 2/10, C Barratt 2/23, R Giany 2/33

ES
(H.Patel 44, R.Charania 23, A.S Ahmed 22)
G Lohan 2/37, A Millington 2/14

HX scored 30 short of what would have been a par score. Some good accurate straight bowling by ES (5 of the top 6 were either bowled or LBW) restricted the HX total.

ES were always ahead of the rate and good early contributions up the order (3 of their top 4 scored 102 runs in aggregate) meant HX were always chasing the game. Some late cheap wickets kept us in the hunt but to no avail.

Special mention for Milly who bowled very well and for JB with his batting.

As a friend has observed "Glad to hear your losing streak is continuing one season to the next, at least you have consistency in your performance. For a team with a diet of booze and fags and no apparent training regime or indeed desire for exercise you’re probably doing quite well."

Which we definitely are and I'm certain this will be a good season for the 2s. Winning helps but it isn't everything - long may the camaraderie and banter continue!

Bring on Peebles next Saturday!

Cross Gubbed in Final

Presidents Cup Final (At Penicuik CC)

Holy Cross 110ao
(R. Bainbridge 23, C.Ellis 20, S. Malik 17, J. Bates 14)
Boorman 3/19
Brookes 3/33
Sands 2/9.

Watsonians 2nd XI 114-o off 22.3 overs.
(K. Flannigan 56*, Fox 54*)

Not much more to say: we were at least 70 runs short of a competitive total...

Thanks to those who turned up to support; just sorry it was such a
poor effort (though Watsonians did bowl well and there was some dampness in the pitch following rain in the days prior).

1st XI Edge Roseburn Thriller

Though failing to reproduce the tight bowling and fielding performance of the previous week, the 1st XI began their East League campaign with a victory against Mufs at Roseburn (on a pitch already showing signs of improvement - having been rolled for the first time in a decade).

We made 189-6, failing to fully capitalise on a superb opening partnership between Simon and Calum but giving us a good total. We should perhaps have defended it more easily after taking early wickets but Mufs' lower order batted with skill and determination.

Holy Cross 189/6 (50 overs)
(Pickering 58, E.C. Smith 42, C. Ellis 35*, C. A. Smith 25)
M. Asif 2/13
M. Clench 2/20

MDAFS: 174ao (45.2 overs)
(Patel 45, Asif 35, Devangere 27, Hubbard 22)
Bonfield 10 overs, 4/24
Ellis 7.2 overs, 2/29
Worsnop 7 overs, 2/35
Astley 8 overs, 2/34

A super game of cricket-with a good atmosphere created by the Rugby League supporters. Game interrupted for about 40 mins when some local youths stole 2 of the stumps while we were having drinks (1 stump retrieved by chasers)..

From the Archive (part 1 of a continuing series).

In the run-up to the Club's 60th Anniversary (2010), this blog will be featuring snippets from the Cross archives.

These words of wisdom (written by then club Secretary James Bradley) first appeared in the W. H. Mann Guide to Scottish Cricket 1999 but remain relevant:

'Next year we will [be] working on the simple equation (suggested by Father Jack*, and finally proved after 100 years [of] research by club mathematician Colin McGill), more drink = more beers'

*For younger readers, this is a reference to a character (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_Jack_Hackett) in the Channel 4 situation comedy (and -for older readers- moderately amusing Hancock's Half Hour rip off) Father Ted (Hatrick Productions, 1995-8). Any resemblance between the character Father Jack and a living Holy Cross player is entirely intentional.