Things were better.....

Something for the large "things were better in my day" tendency amongst the Cross membership:

http://tinyurl.com/n4x4e9

Late Breaking News....Ballistic Bates Blasts Cross Into SCU Trophy Semi

In a match delayed by 1 hour by rain and reduced to 43 overs per side.

Helensburgh 247-7 (43 overs)
D. Williams 88*, A. Vatsa 40, P. Davies 34
I. Astley 3-59

Holy Cross 249-4 (40.5 overs)
J. Bates 71*, C. Ellis 64, E. Smith 31, C. A. Smith 30,
S. Bonfield 26*

More details to follow

Thanks to the President for filling in at the last moment...if not for his fielding. In fairness few others distinguished themselves in the field (it's probably a good thing that we don't operate the elaborate fines system used by Helensburgh); fortunately all the batsmen did, apart from KF whose promising innings was cut short by a needless run out (sorry...)

Full scorecard and details of the competition here:
http://www.cricketscotland.com/node/6244
Apparently Mufs tied their QF but lost having lost more wickets (i.e. all ten).

Shock News: 2nds Avoid Defeat...1sts & 3rds Win

The 2nds match at Newfield (where they have covers) was rained off... Meanwhile at uncovered Arbo....

[match started at 3pm; reduced to 35 overs per side]
Watsonians II 136-8
B. Fox 72
R. Worsnop 4-10

Holy Cross 138-7
E. Smith 32
D. Russell 21

After morning/early afternoon rain (that seemed to cause a number of games in the vicinity to be called off too early) we managed to get the ground playable by 3pm using the soon to be patented 'Smith-Bonfield rope trick'*.

Top class spell from Two-Dogs (including key bat Flannigan and ex-Crosser Hamish Peddie with his 1st ball...it looked like a full bunger..it was a yorker) set us on the way and despite a decent knock from Jon's buddy Ben Fox and some slightly loose bowling later in the innings we kept them below a par score.

Things a bit tense when (after a run-out) we went from 125-4 to 126-7 but some brave shots from Bainbro got us home.

At least the 2nds were able to make a contribution: drunkenly barracking the 1st team (including Smudger volubly discussing the relative merits of his sons' batting - yes we could ALL hear you).

Watsonians' view of proceedings:
http://www.watsoniancricket.co.uk/news.php?id=287

in Div 8:
at the Gyle

Kirk Brae II 127 ao

Holy Cross III 129-2

*also used to good effect on Sunday.

Cross's Coco in Counting Crisis ?

Ian Astley writes -

Having dropped off Coco within spitting distance of a pub after last night's game, I discovered on the seat which he had occupied, a smooth pebble of the type which he uses to count the balls in an over. I also discovered a pound coin on the floor in the back of the car. Whilst I am having forensic tests done on the coin before I give that up, I would hate to contemplate the prospect of him going into a league match beating his chest and wailing to the heavens about his misfortune, so will someone in the Thirds let him know that all is not lost?

League Weekend 9 and the Week Ahead

Annoyingly, damage to the base of the articial wicket at Inverleith Park caused by MoonWalking has led us to switch the 3rds Saturday game to the artificial at the Gyle. Thanks to Kevin McLellan at Drummond Trinity for pointing out the problem and to Sandra Brown at Edinburgh Leisure and our own PVB for sorting it out. Our apologies for any inconvenience and to anyone who won't now be able to get to Arbo for the BBQ.

This leaves the Saturday fixture line-up as follows -

• 1sts vs Watsonians 2nds at Arbo, 1 pm start.
• 2nds vs Edinburgh Accies 2nds at Newfield, 1.30pm start.
• 3rds vs Kirk Brae 2nds at the Gyle, 1.30 pm start.

On Sunday we entertain Helensburgh in the 2nd round of the SCU Trophy. Please note that we have two SCU-appointed umpires for this game, so it will start on time at 1pm. For any potential spectators, I believe that the bar will be open for at least part of the afternoon.

There are nets as usual on Wednesday evening at Newfield and on Thursday evening we travel to Haddington for the quarter final of the Presidents Trophy which is being played as a 20:20.

Good luck to all.

Social Update - Doc Ro Rock Show Off, Arbo Barbo On

Sadly, logistics have thwarted Doc Rodent this Friday, but we'll bring you news of their next outing as soon as we have it.

Meanwhile Saturday's BBQ is confirmed, or as confirmed as any Edinburgh BBQ ever can be. Bainbro writes:

Despite the fact that calling a BBQ immediately ruined Saturday's
proposed good weather, it looks like there is a good crowd up for it so it's all systems go.

It also looks like quite a few folk are up for bringing their partners along, so whilst I'll stop short of calling it a full blown Ladies Day (it would be difficult to match the success of last year's event!) it would be great to get some wives, girlfirends, lady friends, their lady friends etc down.

I think there is an event on in the main bar as well so it could be quite a lively night. Obviously anyone playing on Sunday will have to be tucked up in bed by 10pm so they can be at Arbo nice and early on Sunday morning. Either that or just push on through.

If anyone is keen to bring some food/condiments along as well that would also be great.

See you Saturday.

We can't promise that Mr McGrath will be chefing on Saturday evening, but we hear he's at a bit of a loose end these days, so who knows ?

Cup Dates Update

As you will probably have heard by now, Marchmont were unable to raise a team for Sunday's Presidents Trophy 2nd round, leaving our remaining cup campaigns at the following stages -

• SCU Trophy - 2nd Round, home vs Helensburgh, Sunday 28th June, 1 pm start.
• Presidents Trophy - Quarter Final, away vs Haddington, Thursday 2nd July, 6pm start (to be played as a 20:20).
• Cow Corner 20:20 - Quarter Final, home vs Fauldhouse, for a place on Cow Corner finals day, Thursday 9th July, 6pm start.

Holy Smoke

With this Saturday seeing all three sides playing in North Edinburgh's Cricket Zone (the 1sts at Arbo, the 2nds at Newfield and the 3rds in Inverleith Park), Holy Cross Social Convenor, Rob Bainbridge, has been heard muttering about the possibility of a barbeque at Arbo in the evening. More details to follow here, or possibly not. Breaking News, Tuesday - BBQ confirmed, subject to weather - please let Bainbro know if you're interested.

Meanwhile, the club's very own house band, Doc Rodent, are playing Henry's Cellar Bar on Morrison Street late this Friday night, the 26th. For some reason, Gerry thought that a picture of his new lead singer might make you all more likely to pop along .....

2s Lose to Falkland 3s

Falkland won the toss and decided to bat.
Out of a total of 193 for 9, extras top scored with 44. Catches at both extremes of difficulty were dropped. Run out opportunities were missed. Their no5 made 41 and the no8 29.

Zeeshan 2 for 24 off 9
Smudger 1 for 42 off 8
Dr Astley 2 for 36 off 9
Amjid 1 for 24 off 9
Shammo 0 for 15 off 2
Gerry 1 for 26 off 8

We were all out for 173. 2 run outs and some silly shot selection.
JB 29 was the only one in the top 7 to score runs.
Shammo 25
Zeeshan 13
Smudger 36
Gerry 5 no
Extras 32

We got 11 points in the end thanks to the tail. May well reverse the batting order next week and depending on availability drop myself and others in favour of some of the 3s who are having a good season!

1sts edge cracking match at Largo... 2nds lose... 3rds win

Holy Cross 255-5
C. Ellis 106, D. Russell 40*

Largo 242ao in 49.4 overs.
B. Stinson 104, C. Walker 70, G. Robinson 42
D. Russell 3-60

Superb game of cricket played in excellent spirits. We made 255 but we perhaps could have made 25 or so more. After a slow start (38 off 15) against super spells from Robin and Shannon, Walker and Stinson put on 166 to get Largo very much in the game as they were till the end. Indeed at one stage it looked like we might lose by 10 wickets having made 255! Stinson in particular with some superb striking including two huge sixes, as well as one carried over the boundary by Roland (was a good catch though!).

Praveen with the key wickets of Stinson (off stump sent cartwheeling) and Walker changed things and we held our nerve in the field to secure our 5th win of the season-all of which have been in tight matches. Div 1 is currently an excellent league to play in with all matches competitive.

Largo's view of proceedings:
http://tinyurl.com/mvfvfk

Brief mention in the Evening News digest:
http://sport.scotsman.com/cricket/Cricket-Swan-helps-Carlton-II.5387729.jp

The 2nds lost by 20 odd to Falkland 3s (despite lower order heroics from Smudger and Shammo) while the 3rds beat Preston Village 2nds with Ellis Snr in the wickets.

Details to follow from the respective skippers.

League Weekend 8 and the Week Ahead

Saturday's fixtures are as follows -

• 1sts away at Largo.
• 2nds home to Falkland 3rds.
• 3rds away to Preston Village 2nds.

By the way, it's another Magners Weekend with crates of cider for 1st teamers who score 50 or take 5 wickets. (And no, I don't know where Simon's crate is from Week 1. And as far as I know there is no truth in the rumour that the President intercepted it.)

On Sunday we are at home to Marchmont in the second round of the Presidents Trophy, 1pm start.

There are no nets on Wednesday this week, but we have a friendly 20:20 on Thursday evening against Currie-Balerno at Arbo. Catch Captain McGill over the weekend, post a comment on this blog or drop me an e-mail if you're interested.

Quote of the Year

I think that there should be a new award at the end of the season for quote of the year.

Although McGill would no doubt have swept the board with this in previous years, retaining his title for several, El Presidente surpassed himself on Saturday and is surely odds on for this year!

By way of background, Pres had informed virtually everyone two weeks ago that he was not available for the next two Saturdays. Fair enough. But much to everyone's surprise he materialised at Arbo on Saturday morning with his kit looking a little worse than usual. Having asked him why he had turned up as he was supposed to be 'on holiday' his response was "but I have missed two Saturdays....haven't I?" Oh to be a student again!!! Doesn't say much for the future of the country or its gardens! Yvonne, what were you thinking when you said 'yes'!?

Cricket History - Part 3

Part 3 of Empire of Cricket begins in a few minutes on BBC 2: this evening's episode focuses on 'How Australia got the best cricket team in the world'.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00l319q

Cross Make Progress in Cricket Scotland Trophy

This post was originally published under the title "Cross Make Progress in Cricket Scotland Trophy ?" Since then Cricket Scotland have confirmed us as the "winners". Hard on Dundee HSFP. We hope to meet them again on a sunnier day. (Admin)

The scorecard of the match and the SCU trophy Draw/ results can be viewed here: http://www.cricketscotland.com/node/6244

Heavy rain brought our match vs Dundee High FPs at Arbo to a premature conclusion.

The competition rules would suggest that we were ahead of the run rate at the time but....
we'll leave it to Cricket Scotland to sort out...

Holy Cross 238-5
C. Ellis 118, E. Smith 81
E. Parsons 2-25
J. Landwehr 2-23

I believe that the partnership of 193 between Smith and Ellis may well constitute a new 1st team record-beating the previous best of 174 (though that remains the league record) achieved in 1978 (PVB and HK, can you double check...). It's certainly the most these two batsman have put on together: beating the 146 they put on in the same competition at Forfar last year and the 132 they put on at Goldenacre in 2005.

Dundee HSFP 54-2 off 13 overs
K. Kyles 35*
S. Bonfield 2-19

Late Breaking News...1sts win shortened match

In a match delayed by 2 hours by a heavy rain storm at about 1pm and reduced to 35 overs per side.

Carlton 2 161ao off 34.3 overs
(T. Barratt 39, P. Swan 35; P. Kumar 3-38, S. Bonfield 2-18)

Holy Cross 162-6 off 33.3 overs
(C. A. Smith 43, C. Ellis 39)

Carlton's view of proceedings:
http://www.carltoncc.co.uk/fixtures_2009_2.htm#June14

Our 'frantic efforts' to get the pitch ready-not sure anything involving our super-slow roller can be described as 'frantic'... Anyway the rest of it is accurate...

Brief mention of the game in the Evening News Digest:
http://sport.scotsman.com/cricket/Cricket-Heriot39s-II--fall.5365557.jp

The 2nds were called off after 13 overs, while the 3rds lost by 3 wickets to Morton II after making 129.

Details to follow.....

Remember that we play in Cricket Scotland Trophy on Sunday-1pm start at Arboretum.

The Cricket Revolution

Those following The Empire of Cricket may be interested in The Cricket Revolution, a two-part World Service series presented by David Goldblatt, which examines the challenge posed to Test cricket by 20: 20.

Part 1:
http://tinyurl.com/o2jl46

Part 2:
http://tinyurl.com/ly4ojt

Apparently Edinburgh can be blamed for 20: 20:
http://sport.scotsman.com/cricket/Cricket-Capital-claim-to-the.5368579.jp

League Weekend 7 and the Week Ahead

All League games are on the Saturday this weekend -

• 1sts vs Carlton 2nds, home at Arbo, 1pm start
• 2nds vs Largo 2nds, away, 1.30 pm start - 11.30 meet at Arbo.
• 3rds vs Morton 2nds, home at Campbell Park, 1.30 pm start

On Sunday, we play in the first round of the SCU Trophy vs Dundee HSFP at Arbo. Please note the 1pm start.

No midweek games this week, so let's look for a strong attendance at nets at Newfield on Wednesday evening.

Wides

Someone on ESCA's forum is suggesting having strict wides even in Div 8.

"Why not apply the basic ICC ruling on wides across the board. I appreciate that you will need discretion in places but I fail to see how a relaxation of the rules in the lower leagues benefits anyone in the long run. I look at this very much from an angle where the lower leagues are a feeder/conveyor belt for kids to progress (as well as giving the place to the older statesmen of the game in their twilight years) so should we not encourage them to play the game properly?? Maybe I am missing something here and that might be because I have never played lower league ESCA cricket. Maybe the standard is so poor that we can't expect players to bowl straight and understand the basic rules??"

It would be good if someone playing in Div 8 could give his opinion.

A Cup Win at Last...

At Dreselrigg, Livingston.
Cow Corner 20: 20-1st round

Holy Cross 136/ 4
C. Ellis 72*, K. Fraser 21, E. C. Smith 20.
A. Wilcox 2-23
M. Collins 2-33

Livingston 98/5
J. Wilson 25, N. Jukes 22
D. Russell 2/7.

On a slow and slightly awkward surface, HX did well to make 136 with KF scoring a brisk 21 and 20: 20 specialist (...) Ellis carrying his bat. Some good late tonking from captain Smith (with the 4th different bat in 4 innings...) took us well above a par score.

Some good tight spells from Bonfield, Bainbridge, Ellis, Russell and McGill (whose wicket was via a fine boundary catch from EC) squeezed the life out of the Livi reply and we could afford to experiment in the final overs - though the Livi batsmen were disappointed that EC didn't have an over or two. The win secures a Quarter Final tie (at home) to Fauldhouse.

Thanks to Scott Russell and Nipun for agreeing to play at the last moment.

Face in the Crowd

While we're on the subject of TV, did anyone else see our colleague Mark Brown on the 20:20 World Cup highlights last night, head in hands as Ryan Watson was bowled ?

If you're watching the highlights tonight look out for Regan West, a Kiwi now playing for Ireland. Long-serving Cross 1st teamers will remember some of his outrageous batting performances against us in 2000 and 2001 while playing for Penicuik 2nds, alongside a certain JK Fraser. West is slated to bat at 10 for Ireland.

Empire of Cricket-Part 2

The second part (on the West Indies) of the series Empire of Cricket was on BBC 2 last night (so Apprentice followers may have missed it) but is available on the IPlayer:

http://tinyurl.com/mtwttf

The Week Ahead

Since I've just managed to delete last week's "Weekend 6 and the Week Ahead" post, here's a repost of this week's events.

In addition to the usual round of Saturday fixtures (and they are all Saturday fixtures this time), there is a brace of cup matches. We travel to Livingston on Tuesday night for the first round of the Cow Corner 20:20 and entertain Dundee HSFP in the SCU Trophy on Sunday (1pm start). Nets as usual at Newfield on Wednesday night.

1sts Lose at Newfield

Div 1 at Newfield.

Holy Cross 166-9
(J. Bates 49, D. Russell 27, C. Ellis 25)
(M. Brown 3/25, Carmichael 2/16)

Edinburgh Acccies 167-4
(M. Roskell 51*, M. Stewart 45*, M. Brown 29)

Though we were under-par with the bat (despite Bates' brave 49, having been struck on the hand 2nd ball), with Accies only 52 off 25, it looked like a close finish was likely. But good batting from Accies' middle order (aided by some loose bowling) swiftly took the game away.

Thanks to Messrs Brown, Bailey, Nevin, Robertson, Graham and McGill for their support - just sorry we weren't able to provide a victory - or even an exciting finish.

3rds Win, 2nds Lose

The 2nds lost: chasing 200 ish they were about 160ao after being 76-0 off 10 overs...

The Thirds won at Duloch Park:

Kismet II 109 ao

Holy Cross III 110 for 3

Details to follow

Remember that the 1st XI play at Newfield on Sunday - support appreciated for this important game.

2nds Game On

Despite the heavy rain last night, Ziggy informs me that the pitch is playable - and even with
the threat of further showers the 2nd team game is likely to be completed.

Supporters welcome.

If any 1st team player fancies doing some sub-fielding (pvb has to leave early), then take your whites along.

MDafs Take Hard Line

It's a good thing that - because we are such a harmonious, efficiently run club -
our committee (what's that...) does not feel the need to
make lengthy decrees such as:

http://tinyurl.com/odms6f

Mind you it mostly sounds rather sensible...
such as the need to make your availability (or otherwise) clear to
your captain and the match secretary.

Perhaps (libertarian) paternalism isn't such a bad thing...

Carlton video

Those of you who would like to see the delights of Mahmood, Andy G, Dave Sharpe & Coco's batting, can do so on the following link.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=iya3_HAF2K0

The other half of the game is on youtube now - Holy Cross bowling - Coco 2-15 / Ommar 1-14 / Dave Sharpe 2-26 / Keith Geddes 3-27 / Andy Graham 0-36 - everyone had 8 overs.

(now correct link)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQMchDKECqg

Cross fall short after Raja assault

For the umpteenth time our attempt to win the Edinburgh Parks Trophy was ended by Edinburgh CC. A superb 100+ from Raja Javed led Edinburgh to 168-5 against a weakened HX bowling 'attack' (Skipper Smith turned his arm over, taking three wickets - but, like most of us, conceding plenty boundaries) -Bonfield, Russell and Andy G the only bowlers to avoid serious tap.

Excellent knocks from Keith F (70+) and Calum (40 +) had Edinburgh rattled before Keith finally fell to a catch by MOM Javed near the square leg boundary. We finished on 156-8.

Because of tonight's match, attendance at nets on Wednesday may be smaller than it has been. Can anyone free in the evening make every effort to attend (even if for just part of the evening) -we don't want to lose the momentum we had in the early weeks of the season.

Another Cup Dates Update

Our Cow Corner 20:20 has finally been arranged, so the full remaining cup schedule is as follows -

• Tuesday 2nd June - Parks Trophy round 2 vs Edinburgh 2s at Arbo.
• Tuesday 9th June - Cow Corner 20:20 round 1 vs Livingston, away.
• Sunday 14th June - SCU Trophy round 1 vs Dundee High School FPs at Arbo.
• Sunday 21st June - Presidents Trophy round 2 vs Marchmont at Arbo.

A tale of a tail - 2s win!

On a day that brought back memories of childhood summers, with the smell of freshly cut grass and the sound of leather against willow in the background emanating from Heriots’ 1st XI game, we were unsurprisingly asked to field having lost the toss. An earlyish wicket from Zeeshan was followed by a prolonged fruitless period at which we were going for 6 an over, with Fraser Suttie making hay following a four year period out of cricket. Thankfully Amjid got going in his fourth over and promptly sent back Suttie for 50 (pies always get the good ones out!), followed by the number 3 and 5 to register his first hat trick for the club. We kept plugging away in the heat and, as the run rate slowed, wickets started to fall at regular intervals, bowling them all out in 33.2 overs for 145. A top effort by an energetic and youthful 2s (well, everything is relative).

Zeeshan – 2 for 32 off 6
Andy G – 1 for 27 off 5.2
Amjid – 4 for 26 off 6
Pope – 1 for 35 off 7
Gerry – 2 for 18 off 9

Having enjoyed our tea whilst watching the game on the main square (where the oppos scored 277 off 50) we put on our pads knowing that our batting line-up had been bolstered by only playing five bowlers. Little did skip know that it was actually the bowlers who could bat. By the 23rd over we had been reduced to 51 for 6. At this point Andy Graham came to the crease to be unsurprisingly, but nonetheless disappointingly, greeted soon after by references to his technique. To be fair, many of the observations appear correct, but if you can hit the ball as well as Andy, you should realise quite quickly that he isn’t a true 'bunny' and just button it. He and Amjid put on 46 for the 7th wicket before Andy was bowled by their leg spinner. Amjid and Pope followed soon after leaving us 101 for 9 in the 32nd over. By this point skip was tallying up the bonus points to be gained from a loss and getting ready to pack his bag to go and watch the 1s at Arbo. As for Heriots, they were already showered, changed and onto their 3rd pint. Zeeshan had been joined by Gerry at the crease and having realised that the ball wasn’t doing anything, the pair proceeded to get the scoreboard ticking again – and boy did it tick! The 34th over brought 7 runs, this was followed by 3 maidens – but no panic, 33 needed off 9. The 37th went for 6, the 38th for 9, the 39th for 5. By this point even Shifty had stood up to watch, with the team cheering every run. 133 for 9 off 39. The 40th went for 11, with Zeeshan sending the ball over the bowlers head for a very well struck 4 and both he and Gerry just ‘nurdling’ the 1s and 2s on offer. By this point several members of the Heriots team were doing their nut. First ball of the 41st over was nudged to backward square, fumbled, and a quick single followed, albeit following some stop start running in the middle, scores were now tied. Gerry then saw out a couple of dot balls before thumping the next through cover. Skipper, umpiring at square, collected the 40 fag buts he had liberally sprinkled in the preceeding 15 overs then gladly accepted the hand and congratulations of the opposition skipper, a sensation not experienced since 21 June 2008!

No 7) Amjid – 19
No 8) Andy G – 18
No 9) Pope – 1
No 10) Zeeshan – 23 not out
No 11) Gerry – 14 not out