Keith Geddes and the Royal Wedding

Paul Edie's blog entry from earlier this week -

I recall the Charles and Di wedding when I was much much younger! I spent it playing cricket for Holy Cross Third XI. I can't recall the opposition but I do recall that the team was captained by Keith Geddes, at the time an aging fast bowler who later morphed into the last leader of Lothian Regional Council and the first of the newly set up City of Edinburgh Council.

I  also can't recall if we won or not but I can categorically say that I was rubbish. Cricket is a very absorbing game when you get into it but I am afraid I learned too few strokes too late in life to be any good.

Seems a bit harsh to call Keith an aging fast bowler, except in the obvious sense that we're all aging all the time. Thirty years on, Mr Geddes is a very vigorous medium/medium-fast. Thirty years on, Mr Edie is a Liberal Democrat councillor here in Edinburgh. Further proof that the Cross is a broad church.

Midweek Friendlies

The current schedule of friendly evening T20s for Captain McGill's men.

• Thursday 12th May vs Bellevue Chapel at Arbo
• Thursday 19th May vs Edinburgh South at Arbo
• Tuesday 7th June vs Maccabi at Arbo
• Tuesday 28th June vs EU Staff at Peffermill
• Thursday 7th July vs Old Contemptibles at Arbo
• Tuesday 12th July vs Murrayfield-DAFS at Arbo
• Tuesday 19th July vs Currie-Balerno at Arbo
• Thursday 28th July vs EU Staff at Arbo
• Tuesday 2nd August vs Scottish Widows at Arbo
• Tuesday 9th August vs Tranent at Arbo

League Weekend 2 and the Week Ahead

The first full weekend of the League season follows nets at Newfield on Thursday night (the 28th). All games are 1pm starts -

• 1sts vs Boroughmuir at Meggetland (umpire I Ahmed)
• 2nds vs Old Contemptibles at Arbo
• 3rds vs Kirk Brae 2nds at Campbell Park

Newfield nets next week revert to Wednesday night (the 4th).

Please remember that our 1st round Scottish Cup tie at home to Irvine is on Sunday 8th May. Your chance to play big boy cricket with power plays and free hits for "foot fault" no balls, though no pyjamas or podium dancers. Availability to captains this weekend, please.

Ones Washedout

2 weeks without rain....

1st XI match vs MDafs cancelled without a ball bowled....

Murrayfield Dafs won the toss against and elected to bat, but we never quite made it onto the field.

Fabled water source rediscovered by club President.

The long-rumoured water source underneath Arbo was today rediscovered by the club President. Using a shovel and a 'hose fitting bought from Homebase for 2 quid', the Pres has ensured that the spring flows once more.

The healing powers of the water from the Arbo Spring are legendary: it has allowed several Crossers to continue to play long after most cricketers have been forced to retire. Drinking large quantities is not advised; better to immerse the diseased or injured part of your body in it-ideally whilst reciting the club motto. The spring may also prove useful for pitch preparation.

Cupdate

As EC said in his now legendary Evening News interview (see Edinburgh Evening Olds below), "We didn't perform to our usual standards in cup competitions last year so that will also be a priority." There are five opportunities to do better this season.

• Scottish Cup - 2nd round vs Kelburne away, Sunday 5th June - scratched.
• Presidents Trophy - Final vs Fauldhouse at Arbo, Sunday 28th August.
• Murgitroyd Masterton Trophy - 1st round vs Heriots at Goldenacre, Tuesday 17th May - eliminated.
• Activcity Trophy - Final vs Marchmont Day at Myreside, Sunday 31st July - lost off the last ball.
• Parks Trophy - Final vs Murrayfield-DAFS at Newfield, Wednesday 3rd August - won.

League Weekend 1 and the Week Ahead

And so it all begins again as the 1sts kick off their League campaign ludicrously early thanks to SNCL reconstruction .....

• Saturday 23rd April, 1pm, 1sts vs Murrayfield DAFS at Arbo (no umpires)
• Thursday 28th April, 6pm onwards, nets at Newfield

Edinburgh Evening Olds

Following a chat with EC, the Evening News reports that we've "recruited an Australian all-rounder, Patrick Lynch, as [we] prepare to help launch the new East of Scotland division one campaign at home to Murrayfield/DAFS on Saturday." Full story here.

Well, yes, Pat is Australian and he will be playing for us, but then he played for us throughout last August (see photographic evidence, above, courtesy of Boroughmuir CC).

And, before any of our friends in the East ask, fine player that he is (see that bail fly), he isn't a pro or OA. And he won't actually be available against MUFS, although some other, genuinely new, faces will be.

That apart, it's a fine story.

Exclusive in tomorrow's Evening Olds, "Man U recruit promising Scottish manager."

Nozzer's XI Win Battle of the Cross

EC's XI 145/7
J. Bates 50
O.Mazher 29
Wickets for Dougie, Pat, Calum and Norrie.

Norrie's XI 146/6
D. Russell about 45*
Norrie 40ish
Millington 15* ish
Wickets for Jon, Shannon, Rob

Pitch played ok given that it was the edge strip and that it was April the 16th! (as KF points out-just too early). Certainly Jon, Dougie, Owais and Norrie all played with impressive fluency. Some good bowling and batting performances though the ground fielding was ...ahem a bit rusty. But good to get some time in the middle before the season starts.

Reminder-nets this Wednesday evening at Newfield.

League Week Zero and the Week(s) Ahead

Cricket returns to Arbo this Saturday at 1.30 in the form of a Holy Cross in-house practice match featuring a number of new players, as well as many of the (sometimes very) old ones. Tea for one, please.The bar will be open in the evening.

On Wednesday night next week there is a net session at Newfield, starting as soon after 6pm as anyone can get there.

The League season starts on Saturday 23rd for the 1sts and Saturday 30th for the 2nds and 3rds, so please help the "selectors" out by filling in the online availability sheet if you haven't already.

Nets

Unfortunately, the Newfield nets are no longer available on a regular basis, but we have arranged three evening sessions in pre-season/early season, as follows -

• Wednesday 20th April.
• Thursday 28th April.
• Wednesday 4th May.

Given the limited interest in nets in recent seasons, at least after the first few weeks, we are unlikely to arrange an alternative venue for the remainder of the season. There will, however, be regular midweek friendlies for those who want more practice opportunities. Details to follow shortly.

What Day Is It ?

See this link for a superb April Fool from our friends at East Lothian County Tranent Cricket Club. At least we think it's an April Fool ......