Swinging Update

Natural Born Swinger

Swinging has fascinated certain cricketers for a long time now.

I'm sure those of you who habitually bend your balls will find this BBC article of interest.

How Swinging works

McOscar continues fine form

Parks Trophy Round 1 (Peffermill) (29th May)

Holy Cross 186 - 3 (S. McOscar 77*, K. Fraser 31)
Edin Uni Staff 68 - 7 (R. Bainbridge 3-1).

Another dominant Twenty:20 performance as the 1sts attempted to put the weekend's disappointment behind them.
Simon again leading the way with another classy knock- 77*-the highlight being a lovely straight 6 off their spinner..
KF, Tom and cje chipped in with useful runs as the EUSCC fielders felt the pressure.
Good early spells from Bonfire and Bimbo meant that the result was never in doubt.
As Bainbro reminds us, Andy G  put in a contender for catch of the season-at backward point.

A determined 8th wicket stand EUSCC meant they survived the 20 overs.
Broonster was unlucky not to get a wicket in his short spell. 

Match Preview Appears in The Times..??

It appears to be a business opinion piece...but the headline 'Lynch’s exit offers hope for next generation' suggests that it could equally be a preview of Sunday's match between HX 1st XI and the East Regional Academy...

wait...is the story at the foot of the page about Mr Biswas..?

Lager-Fuelled Fuds Felled by Forbes

[PVB reports on the 3rds trip to Dalgety Bay]

A fast and bouncy track at Dalgety Bay – many surprises – first being we were 40 minutes early [!!] and started on time. Just 10 of us, but a good 10. Inserted. Paul & Mike found it hard going - so after 2 blows to the thumb Paul decided to have a rest until he could hold the bat properly return to face the pies which were being delivered by the lesser bowlers. Mike did well to keep out the openers for 14 overs, Matt surprised us all by playing a defensive shot – after a string of brave ones including smashing the bouncy bowler [?] over his head; Richard’s straight drive was majestic – oft practised in the garden no doubt. But they all got bowled and at 45-3 entered former fast bowler turned wicketkeeper-batsman Andy G.

Now turning yourself into a batsman is all the rage – Calum MacLeod, two dogs, Coco (but read on) [I omit Gary T – we know he always was a batsman], Andy is the latest -  he then proceeded to pick out any overpitched ball and dispatch it  meatily through extra cover   to  midwicket time and again – he nearly killed Paul at the bowler’s end [the bowler's end is at midwicket?]. In return, Paul tried to run him out to get him on strike. Andy and Paul put on 85 as the bowling became 'varied'  and Andy reached his maiden 50 with probably no more than a single on the off side. It was magicnificent, and he has two magic weapons – no, three!:  1, his reach & eye – anything remotely a full toss even on middle is hoisted to midwicket.   2, his bat, the provenance of which we won’t discuss, and 3 the can of lager he had just quaffed before batting. The club 3^rd XI kit should now include plentiful cans of cool lager.

At about 130-3,  Paul departed for 30. Then a new bowler who had allegedly never bowled for the club in his many games had Andy well caught at longish-on, followed by Coco who  received a absolute jaffa missed a straight one first ball. Ken and Ted perished in the chase, and Dave & Keith got us over the 150 mark.

So that wasn’t bad. But we knew Murray Forbes could tonk a bit – a century last week. Someone said it was a bit like facing a team with  Chris Gayle in – if you don’t get him out, you lose. So Murray went at a hell of a pace – a straight six off Matt’s first over was a pointer, and he had no respect for seniors either, dispatching Ellis snr over his head for another. Ok, it wasn’t chanceless  [name the guilty men Paul] but you just have to admire it; he probably reached his 91 in about the same number of balls that Ken took v Morton to get off the mark! He was even out before the drinks break. It was over 100 before Keith came on and was given the same treatment in his first over; then he bowled well, conceding only 28 in 7 overs. Andy pouched his first catch behind the stumps.

Dalgety Bay were fabulous hosts, provided a sumptuous tea.

Dunfermline Knights v Holy Cross - Division 1, Saturday 26th May

Holy Cross 211-7 (50 overs).

Dunfermline Knights 212-4 (48.4 overs).

It's a hard knock life we live

Like a cricket team going to an away match, the 1st XI travelled to McKane Park in Dunfy on Saturday to challenge former National League side Dunfermline Knights in East League Division 1. The sky was blue, the sun was hot and the pitch was flat with a bit of grass that looked like it might give the bowlers some grip. A brisk easterly kept a lid on the true heat for most of the day blowing directly across the pitch and proceedings were overseen by two neutral umpires.

McOscar driving

Heated discussions took place pre-toss in the visitors dressing room as the Skipper insisted on batting, whilst his VC preferred putting the oppo in, skittling them, knocking off the runs and getting back on the road quicksharp.

McOscar defending

However the umpires coin awarded the decision to our hosts and the gentlemen with the local knowledge asked us to bat!!! A strange innings then ensued. Mahzer & Fraser led the Cross assault screaming to 24-0 after 3 overs on a pitch of little bounce. Pretty soon the Knights bowlers adjusted their radars and a period of bowling at the stumps contained a spell of 43-6 from the next 17 overs taking the visitors to 67-6 after 20. Then the recovery totalled 144-1 in the last 30 overs.

Probably the source of Shifty's finger injury

Fraser (11) was first to exit missing a straight one. Ellis (6) was next oot to a mildly contentious LBW (aren't they all?). E.C. Smith (1) followed soon after misjudging and playing over a yorker. Bonfield (5) kept the collapse going by edging one onto his pads and swallowing another LBW. Archer (Golden) didn't hang about at all on his first league knock falling to the same fate as Smith, nonetheless it was lovely to see him take part in his first Cross Collapse. Somewhere in amongst all that Owais (10) tried to clobber one a bit too far away from his body and it was taken nicely at extra cover. So there we were at 67-6 and in deep doodoo.

That said, we've been talking up, if not actually utilising an unfathomably long batting order this season. McOscar was joined by the skipper (a couple of tons as an opening bat) while Trewartha (sane), Gaware (mad) and El Presidente (unpredictable) lurked in the hutch. After a mini recovery and some nice shots from both swordsmen, Russell (12) was deceived by a quicker ball and bowled off his pads with the score on 96 in the 27th over.

McOscar lofts one straight

When the wickets were tumbling, the fielders, as you'd expect, were chirping with some gusto, but things were quietening down somewhat and were soon to become quieter still. McOscar was compiling a magnificent innings using his feet with eloquence and his bat with panache. Pretty soon Trewartha got his eye in too and Crossers began to hope 150 would be possible, then 180, then maybe even 200. But this pair just kept going, Gary was finding the extra cover boundary in particular with some sweet lofted drives whilst Simon was skipping freely down the track to despatch the fading bowlers to the boundary of his choice. Both remained unbeaten, McOscar never looking in trouble for an inspiring 109 and 40 for Trewartha that says to the skipper he's ready to move up the order.

Trewartha through cover

Tea was taken and I'll take this opportunity to commend the fantastic hospitality. From the fridge in the changing room to the majesty of the guard dog to the jam on the scones, we were looked after as well as we have been anywhere.

Big dug!!!

So with full bellies and gladdened hearts we took to the field for Dunfermline's innings with no shortage of confidence. The hosts weren't holding back though and quickly reached 21 before Bonfield enticed their lefty opener to mis-time a drive that Ellis pouched low at mid-on. This caused some damage to the paw of Ellis and he had to leave the field for a few overs to seek a replacement digit. The hosts continued apace reaching 55 before the busy number 3 arrived, splatted a couple, then left again when the rebuilt Ellis accounted for his wicket. Next over McOscar (replacing Bonfield) trapped the other opener at the 'LBW end'. At 55-3 after 16 overs we were right back in it. Davidson & Wilkinson then began to bed in and stop the rot. At Drinks, the hosts lagged a little behind the required run rate at 90-3 but it was anybodies game.

More offside show-offery

In the first over after Drinks Dougie shelled a c&b chance and not long after Shifty had to relinquish the gloves due to a "crunchy" finger injury. He was subsequently hidden at backward square leg and, as sure as night follows day, one was hit right down his throat (as they say) but his 9 good fingers couldn't compensate for the crunchy one and another chance was carpeted. Elsewhere Vikram's legendary groin began to play up restricting him to just 4 miserly overs.

Centurion

The two Dunfermline batsmen kept things ticking along nicely, the Cross bowlers never quite being able to string together enough good balls without the odd loose one thrown in. Needing 12 from the last three overs the home side looked for the finish allowing Bonfield to bowl Wilkinson round his legs for 57. Then in the 49th over Davidson (89*) picked out McOscar at Cow but once again the the ball was spilled and any slim chance that remained was gone as the hosts thundered past our total with a maximum the very next ball.

Trewartha 0-47, Bonfield 2-44, McOscar 1-41, Ellis 1-36, Russell 0-27, Gaware 0-11.

Back in the Green Room some of our newer recruits were treated to some of the legendary tales from yesteryore as King Coco recounted shenanigans from a small hamlet just along the east coast from the days when he worked as a lifeguard and gave more than just the kiss of life to bathers. We were also treated to accounts of both times he's combusted on the field of play. Later, the newest club legend made an appearance in his finest Saturday night attire on a brief break from the end of season rugger club dinner being held next door.

Caption competition...?

Ziggy returns...

[match report by A. Cydzik]

Having resigned from skippering, banned from all websites n never discovered how to twitter....I'm back!!
The joys of a b.berry!!! :-) sorry!!!
Discovering on tuesday that the vice vice vice captain sometimes gets a shot (this is HX after all! - norrie playing pool, andy I'm a run machine quinn in the US, Smudger I'm cooler than groundsman willy Smith sipping sangria in barcelona) I decided to put the glass of wine and cigar down n tell the missus we were not going to the Loivre and that sunset over Paris was over rated! Arriving at arbo on saturday I was confronted with a text from andy q which looked nothing like the team picked that day earlier in the week in Paris - I can only assume that the wine n cigar were better than expected or remembered!
Thankfully the XI that took the pitch on saturday all stood up to the plate.
Oops, pizza has arrived....
Right, not sure I needed that, but was good, salami, peperoni, onion n sweetcorn, tasted good but the missus nicked two bits...what's all that about - get ur own! Hay ho, healthier than a kebab but not as tasty!
Right then, where was I, ah yes, the game.
The mighty HX team of 6 folk persuaded the skipper to go n toss. Thankfully skip looked at the site of those in the porta cabins n realised this wasn't a dodgy blue movie n went to the middle rather than elsewhere. Aving lost the toss we were stuck in. Thanfully the rest of the team decided to arrive - nawaz n usama being the last but living the closest!!! Brian n irfan getting us off to a good start of about 35 off the first 15 - not often we've not been 0 for a few this year. JB n ziggy then put on about 120. JB finishing on exactly 100no - lovely imperious knock as is so often. The rest swiped n smatterred, notably sandy, n took us to 222 for 7 by the end.
We took tea in good spirit then opened with amjid n usama. Good tight early overs were followed with some might swipes which meant they were 80 odd for 1 after 15. Gerry I'm too cool for school and Robin I'm too old to bowl worsnop then came on. Its wonderful being able to bowl the pair - the batsman must av been v confused in terms of the difference in pace between the two ends!!! Let's just say that by the end of their spells we were well on top with them 7 down and only on about 110 - Brian F taking 2 good catches behind the stumps. Abdul then came on and amjid too to finish his spell. Both kept it tight and amjid finally got reward. JB then came on and took a wicket with his first ball - it was meant to be!! We took the last wicket with a lovely run out when they took on nawaz's arm...mistake, game over, win by about 80, 3 out of 4 so far for the 2s - keep it going guys, all good so far this year :-)
Night night

Cross on the road to nowhere but Fortress Arbo lives up to its name

It was a mixed-bag for the Cross this weekend.  Here's a resume of events as reported via our Twitterati at the games (E&OE):

Only one of the three sides secured a win and it was the 2's at Fortress Arbo who beat Preston Village.

The 1sts lost the toss away to Dunfermline Knights and lost their way a little, crawling to 38-3 after 12 overs. It looked ominous at the end of the 18th, with the Cross stumbling to 94-6.

McOscar dug in deep and reached 50 in a mini-recovery which saw the 1sts go to 125-7 after 35.

A great knock in the end from McOscar who left holding his bat with an impressive 109 not out. Batting partner Trewertha made 40 not out - a stonking partnership of 115, which at times looked as if it may be the total score. Instead, Cross finished 211/7.

Unfortunately it wasn't to be and it went right down to the wire as the Knights finished with a handful of deliveries to spare to win by 6 wickets.

A fine bowling display from both Lohan and Worsnop at Fortress saw the 2's thump Preston Village at Fortress Arbo. Catches win matches and Ziggy and Fraser picked up a brace each to keep the 2's at the business end of the Division 5 table.

Meanwhile, it was bad news at Dalgety Bay. Despite a half century from Andy Graham the 3rds fell to their third consecutive defeat of the season.

Teuchters tamed as Cross win Activcity Round 1 clash

Holy Cross brushed aside a brave Teuchters in Thursday night's Activcity Trophy Round 1 tie at Fortress Arbo.
Played in the temperatures more akin to the Algarve than the Arbo, the game really did have that 'summer is here' feel good factor about it.

Dougie won the toss and elected to bat first.  This was possibly wise given the 20 degrees on offer for the fielders to run about it.

It was a slow start from Owais and KF until the 4th over when Owais hit back to back boundaries.  By the end of the 7th, the Cross had reachd 54-0. 

The first wicket fell shortly after.  Ali bowled KF with a sweet delivery and the big man was heading back to the portacabins for a rest.  56-1.

One poor Teuchters bowler met a hungry Owais and for one of the tourists fielders, it was an unwelcome trip to Stew Mel to recover the ball following a mahoosive 6 which cleared the Fortress.  Owais was batting for fun.  By the end of the 10th, Cross were 89-1. 

The 13th over was another expensive one. A couple of sixes and a boundary saw the score leap to 128-1. 

Not wishing to be outdone, Charlie was lashing out and he was knocking out a few boundaries of his own.  Sadly for the Club Man of the Century, he was sucked in and it was to be his downfall.  Swing. Miss. Stump. WALK!

It was the school of hard knocks for the 6th Division Teuchters outfit and it didn't get any better as short and tired deliveries where knocked about with some ease and with 2 overs to go, Cross had reached 179-2.  Was the double century on?

Archer (32), Ellis (43) and Fraser (26) together with Owais (68) contributed signficantly to a final total of 202.  A comedy run out at the end and a Trewartha Golden Duck also noteable incidents from busy 20 overs.

The teams retired to the sheds.  So far this season, it's been to get a heat or shelter from the rain.  Instead, the teams went to reapply sunscreen and take on fluids before reappearing.

An early breakthrough by Trewartha saw Teuchters lose an early wicket with 5 runs on the board.  Not long after, McOscar's pin-point accuracy lead to the Kilted Kiwi secure the run out of batsman No.2.

Back came Trewartha and back went another batsman.  Straight down the middle and virtually unplayable.  The poor batsman had no chance.  Teuchters now 11-3 and facing an early exit from the tourney.

The scoreboard had barely trickled up to 20 before Vikram secured another scalp then a few overs later, he was at it again.  A plum delivery offering the umpire the easiest of LBW calls and Teuchters were up to 40-5.

The sun was going down and Teuchters were going out.  But not without a fight.  A defient couple of boundaries were still on offer however any comeback was shortlived when Charlie got his name on the scoresheet.  45-6.

Dougie took what proved to be the final wicket of the night and from the last ball of the evening, Teuchters managed a single run which at least gave them a morale win of reaching the half-century.

So, another win a Fortress Arbo and Round 2 of the Activcity to look forward to.

Broonster has all the action from the game in picture format on his Facebook page

Masterton Quarter Final

Our Murgitroyd Masterton Trophy quarter final is confirmed for Thursday 7th June at Myreside. A full and up to date list of cup ties can be found here.

Nets

In response to popular demand (no, really) we've organised three more weeks of evening nets at Newfield. Please note the shift from Tuesday to Wednesday -

• Wednesday 30th May
• Wednesday 6th June
• Wednesday 13th June

Presidents Plate

Our Presidents Plate 1st Round tie vs West Linton Gordons has been rearranged for Wednesday 30th May at Arbo. Full and up to date list of cup ties here.

The Week Ahead, League Weekend 5 and The Week After That

This week -

• Tuesday - NO NETS.
• Thursday - Activcity Trophy Round 1 vs Teuchters at Arbo.

This Saturday -

• 1sts vs Dunfermline Knights, away. Umpires, M Flynn and D Smith.
• 2nds vs Preston Village at Arbo.
• 3rds vs Dalgety Bay, away.

Next week -

• Tuesday (29th) - Parks Trophy Round 2 vs Edinburgh University Staff at Peffermill.
• Wednesday (30th) - Presidents Plate Round 1 vs West Linton Gordons at Arbo (2nds and 3rds only) and nets at Newfield.

Evening Friendlies

Here's this year's evening friendly schedule, so far -

• Tuesday 5th June vs Maccabi at Arbo.
• Tuesday 10th July vs Murrayfield DAFS at Roseburn.
• Tuesday 17th July vs Edinburgh South at Inch Park - cancelled to make way for overdue cup ties.
• Thursday 9th August vs Tranent at Arbo.
• Monday 13th August vs Teuchters at Arbo.

Fixtures vs Belle Vue Chapel and possibly Boroughmuir to be rearranged. Watch this space.

Ziggy Changed My Life

A programme for 2nd teamers:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00rrvv9/Your_World_Ziggy_Changed_My_Life/

All Saturday matches OFF

1st, 2nd & 3rd XI games are all off for obvious reasons

Broken Records!!!

Stop me if you think you've heard this one before

There I was just minding my own business the other evening whilst out for a drive when I heard Ms Hannah Cockroft on the old wireless.

Who she???

For those of you not up to date on the latest minority sport news, Ms Cockroft, who won gold medals at 100m & 200m at last years World Championships, has broken a 100m wheelchair world record at the new Lympik Stadium (T34 class). Her account of events interested me muchly.

On the morning of the event the competitors were to be bussed to the stadium, however the bus crashed on the way to the hotel to pick up the athletes. So taxi's were summoned. Alack, none of the taxi's were big enough to take Ms Cockroft's racing chair!!! Things began to get fraught. She was panicking that she wouldn't get there on time for what would be her only opportunity to race in the stadium before the Paralympics.

Eventually they managed to pack her and her chair off to the Olympic Park. On arrival the Jobsworths protecting our freedom wouldn't let her through the security cordon. Just in the nick of time she made it inside. Afterwards she said;

"I missed the warm up and had to just get my numbers on and go straight onto the track. It was the worst preparation I'd ever had before a race, my head wasn't in the right place at all,".

Regular readers will now see where I'm going with this. Here is the formula.

Fraught Preparation + No Warm-up = New World Record!!!

Would any sports scientists care to explain this to me.

Here is a report from the BBC. The actual radio broadcast I listened to mused somewhat further on how a world record could be set with basically the opposite of what is 'accepted' preparation for best performance.

When the Frazerio Spring finally happens, I shall outlaw this dangerous and counter-productive practice of 'warming-up' prior to partaking in activity.

And a wee bonus for the over 35's (99% of the club?) with this classic VT.

Thursday match OFF

The Activcity Presidents Plate 1st Round match between HX 2's & West Linton Gordons at Arboretum this evening is OFF.


Hopefully it can be played next week.

Parks Trophy Date

In our quest to retain the Parks Trophy, we face Edin Uni Staff in the 2nd round at Peffermill on Tuesday 29th May.

Heavens to Murgatroyd! Last ball drama in Mussie Masterton clash

It was down to the wire at the Monday night Murgatroyd Masterton 1st Round clash at Fortress Arbo as Holy Cross nearly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory against a dogged Musselburgh.

Played in front of literally single figures of spectators at a bitterly cold Arbo, both teams put on a fantastic display of T20 cricket.

Cross batted first however it was an awful start with Mazher out in the 1st over for a quack quack oops! He trundled back to the portacabins to be replaced by K Fraser.

McOscar didn't hang around and in the 4th over, a huge 6 cleared the boundary in an six ball spell from Gemmill that cost the youngster 15 runs.

Vikram made it along to watch, but he was late.  He did however give us warning of his arrival.  He tweeted, "I was on my way to Arbo waiting for 27 bus and Joyce called me as the food processor which she bought from John Lewis was heavy".  Quite....and I feel an award MAY be heading your way at the end of the season!

The Musselburgh fielders had clearly been affected by the dip in temperature, as another dropped catch kept the pair in the middle but the stay of execution only lasted one more delivery.  Fraser went for the big drive but it went straight to a welcoming fielder. A solid 42 from the big lad, but he wasn't happy as he made his way back behind the rope.

Bonfield came in and made his mark along with the hungry McOscar and with the final over to come, Cross were on an average score of 107-2.  Bonfield hit a boundary with the first ball, then McOscar went for a run up the track, followed by a walk to the sheds.  A very credible 47.

EC Smith got one shot and with it, he may well have won the tie.  His perfectly timed smash went beyond the whitewash for a 4, leaving Mussie 119 to win.

A quick turnaround was in order as the light was fading and everyone was frankly frozen!

Cometh the hour, cometh the Bimbo.  An early exit for Khunamann as Rob collected the batsmans shot from the top of his shoelaces. 

Several Crossers heard a nick from Deva's bat shortly after but their loud and excitable claims fell on deaf umpire ears.

However, Deva didn't count on the man of the moment Bimbo trapping him with a plumb LBW and the Mussie man had no option than to walk this time.  19-2.

Collins came in and what a big unit this kid is. A product of CoCo's teaching, the lofty lad was throwing the bat around for fun.  Sadly, he was getting too used to banging them out the park and one final swing was his undoing as McOscar cleaned him out. 47-3.

The Mighty Quinn took a great catch from McOscar's top bowling and at 56-4 after 11, Cross looked odds on to win.  Well, in a Manchester United way at least.

It was shortly 100 up for the tourists. Squeakybum time.

Bonfield stepped up to the plate and Gatner fell to a massive LBW. 

With 18 to win from 18 deliveries, it was going down to the wire.  Dangerous Dougie Russell got a wicket with his second ball of the over, Owais taking the catch....
12 balls to go and Dougie gets another - this time he took Marshall LBW for a solitary run.  103-7.

Bimbo blootered the bails and the stumps to see Van Diesel, yes that's what it said in the scorebook, head back having put another two runs on the new swanky Crossers scoreboard.  Well, when we say new, it's new to us...

Tremendous quick thinking by K Fraser behind the stumps say the keeper top the bails as the Mussie batsman's foot strayed beyond the crease.  He was out!

110-9 with 4 balls to go....

A dot ball, a single.....three runs! It had FergieTime written all over it.

Four to win from the final delivery.  Dougie bowls.  Boom! It's good, but its not got the legs and it's just the two runs.

A win by 2 runs for the Cross.  An epic clash.  The romance of the cup. Etc etc....

Broonster has all the photos online at his ugly ape facebook here

Quinn hits half-century as Cross 2's stun Stirling County at Fortress Arbo

After a late morning Smudger inspection, Fortress Arbo was declared playable to host Stirling County 2s.

The rain over the past few days didn't dampen the enthusiasm to get a game played in what turned out to be pleasant overhead conditions.

Captain Nozza opted to bowl first and it proved to be a good call, with the Cross restricting the tourists to 87-9 at the end of their 45 overs.

During tea - another fine spread - we were treated to Nozza's trip down memory lane where he told of his 3-2 victory over Stephen Hendry in Stirling the year before Hendry turned professional!  Hendry of course went on to win 7 World Championships before retiring earlier this month.  Norrie is in his second term as Captain of Holy Cross 2's.

The Cross innings didn't start off well, with Butt out before Bates had padded up! 0-0 wasn't in the script....

Never fear, the Mighty Quinn and Bates held their own and enjoyed a successful partnership to see off the County challenge.  Quinn reaching his 51 with the final delivery, a half-century which included 7 fours.  Bates had a inspired knock of 33 including 2 fours and a big 6!

It was also encouraging to see County include 3 females in their XI.  This is a great advert for the game.  The future of Scottish Ladies Cricket is looking up with talent like this.

A full suite of 'action' shots can be found via Broonster's Facebook page

Holy Cross 88-1 : Butt 0, Quinn 51*, Bates 33*

Stirling County 87-9 : Carswell 18 & Morton 15 were their top scorers. Bowling Gafar 2-13, Webb 2-26, Cunningham 2-16, Smith 2-18 and Bates 0-7.

Ziggy seemed to approve.....

League Weekend 3 and the Week Ahead

Saturday's League fixtures, weather permitting ......

• 1sts vs Carlton 2nds at Grange Loan.
• 2nds vs Stirling County 3rds at Arbo.
• 3rds vs Kirkbrae 2nds at Double Hedges.

We're busy in the evenings next week -

• Monday, Murgatroyd Masterton 1st Round vs Musselburgh at Arbo.
• Tuesday, nets at Newfield.
• Thursday, Presidents Plate 1st Round vs West Linton Gordons at Arbo - 2nds and 3rds players only.

Cup Final Pics

I've finally got round to getting the wife to plug the phone wire into the computer so I could download photos from our glorious slaying of National League crack outfit, Fauldhouse Victoria.

We pick up the action near the end with The Almighty Quinn smoting the cream of the opposition attack to all corners of the square!!!

Quinn proving he's not all wanton aggression as he displays the gamut of his repertoire.

Bonfire now and still no way through for FVCC. That's Arthur's Seat in the background. Was once three times the height it is now doncha know!!!

Meanwhile, the excitement beyond the rope is palpable. (rough order; Roshan, Bates, McGill, Michelle, E.C., Flynn, Maddog, Cydzk, CJE, Pope.)

Have some of that!!! A rare opportunity with the plank allows Bonfire to seal cup glory and spark scenes of unbridled joy down Arboretum way.

Trewartha masks his disappointment at missing out on another ton with the knowledge there's one more winners medal for the old trophy cabinet. Can't be far behind McGill now.

Cricket, the gentleman's game. No matter what happens on the field, win, lose, draw or abandoned, it's always handshakes and pleasantries as the teams leave the field!!!

Retro Skipper Dougie Russell accepts the trophy. That's not applause you can see, it was just so cold all the players were chittering uncontrollably.

Boring. Yadda yadda, something about the hosts, the oppo, the English and Bannockburn.

A fearsome mob, can this really be the greatest team in the clubs proud history?

Back Row: Fraser (crocked), Quinn, Mahzer, Roshan, Pope (wk), Cydzik, Bates, Ellis
Front Row: Trewartha, E.C. Smith, D Russell (c), Bonfield.

The Cup safely in the grasp of Cross Cup Final veteran and Man of the Match, Mr Shannon Bonfield.

Masterton Tie Off

Tonight's Murgitroyd Masterton 1st round tie against Musselburgh at Arbo is off - damn rain. We'll try again next Monday.

Russell Regime Diktat #0003 - Curfew for Coco

All 3rd XI veterans are to be safely tucked up in bed tonight by 10.45pm. Under no circumstances should they watch BBC1 where Michael Vaughan will be presenting Sporting Heroes: After the Final Whistle.

Ashes Hero

Billed as a serious sporting documentary addressing the post-retirement careers of top athletes, this is, in fact, nothing but a thinly disguised attempt to undermine the mighty 3rds. As any Holy Crock knows there can be no talk of retirement, ever ......

Fag Ash Legend

Holy Cross Ignite Despite Absence of Bonfire!

 The newish look Holy Cross first team was missing cup final hero Bonfield but secured a well deserved victory against a rusty looking Watsonians.  The writer (EC Smith) was making unusually good time, aided by his father's car, and arrived at arboretum a full five minutes before play commenced!  Big hitting opening batsman Owais Mazher followed ten minutes later having, ingeniously, arrived fully clothed in his whites in order to 'save time'!  Flawed logic or genius, I'll leave it up to you to decide!

This question aside, play commenced on schedule and the firsts appeared to have pulled off their customary psychological trick of appearing like a bunch of reprobates while still starting the game strongly.  GT, buoyed by his promotion to vice-captain in the absence of the injured Keith Fraser, took on the responsibility of 'pack-leader' and performed with gusto in the opening overs.  Veteran Flannigan looked in determined mood but, after shaping a couple away, GT had him shoudering arms to one that nipped back and the middle and off bail went flying!  Queue high fives and celebrations coupled with cautionary warnings that the gritty Fox was arriving at the crease, no doubt wishing to continue his good record against the Cross.

Fox nudged and nurdled, along with Yellowless , in relatively benign early season conditions and skipper Russell shrewdly resisted the temptation to over attack at this point.  After ten overs, GT and Raja made way for McCoscar and Ellis, as the Cross looked to stifle the opposition in what was a slightly hesitant looking 2nd wicket partnership.  The skipper's patience was rewarded in the fifteenth over when Ellis teased Fox down the wicket and Shifty took a smart stumping chance to spark further celebrations.  At around 35-2 Holy Cross were amongst the wickets and had also kept things tight resulting in a sense of anticipation as to how Watson's would respond. 

However, apart from a couple of enterprising strokes from new batsman Fleming, the visitors continued to creep along at a fairly slow rate.  It must be said though, that this was largely to do with the quality of the bowling, as McCoscar and Ellis bowled with real control and intelligence throughout this period.  As a result, this sense of anticipation had started to give way to a sense of inevitability, as The Cross secured their third wicket when McCoscar trapped Yellowless lbw.  Holy Cross then pushed home their advantage, with McOscar grabbing two further wickets, to leave the visitors in real trouble at 60-5 during drinks. 

Having taken his match total to three wickets, McCoscar looked to be tiring slightly as he made way for a Raja 'blast' after drinks.  Holy Cross's new 'tough man' repaid the skipper's faith in him as he got rid of the dangerous looking number 7, after inducing a leading edge.  Raja then turned on the style in his next over when a well disguised slower ball, which would have done for many a batsman, was edged to gully.  A slightly unnecessary run-out of Fleming later, who probably represented the visitors last hope of posting a competitive total, meant the visitors were lurching badly.

At around 80-8, the vice-captain then demonstrated an innate understanding of the privileges which can come with power, promptly 'finding' himself back in the attack.  No one was complaining of Machiavellian methods, however, as GT burst through the tail to leave Watson's with a substantially under par total of 83 off 34 overs.

After a tea notable for both its quantity and quality, The Cross then set about their total in earnest...  However, after a couple of sound shots through cover, McOscar nicked one off Leggett and departed early on for just 4 runs.  Only one more run than wicket for the kiwi but, for those who have witnessed him in pre-season nets, one suspects it is only a matter of time before he gets to grips with the Scottish wickets and puts runs on the board. 

This wicket brought CJ Ellis to the crease to join the ever ready Mazher and the scoreboard soon started to tick over at a comfortable rate.  Progress was relatively serene, although Watson's should have seen Mazher depart on around 25, when he was dropped after miscuing a trademark stroke over the wide mid-on region.  However, a huge 6 from Mazher and some fluent stroke-play from Ellis saw Holy Cross complete a surprisingly straightforward 9 wicket victory, with Mazher finishing on 44* and Ellis 30*.

There will be greater tests for the first team, including (no doubt) Watson's themselves later in the season, but this continued a good start for The Cross under the stewardship of Dougie.  

         
EC Smith;

Watsonians win in pictures....

All the action from the 1st XI's win over Watsonians 2nd XI can be found via Broonster's Facebook page including classics such as this:

 

Shifty's Stumping Inspires Single Success

Shifty in action - stumping success at #FortressArbo today. #wellchuffed twitter.com/HXCricket/stat…
— Holy Cross Cricket (@HXCricket) May 5, 2012

Div 1-Arboretum

Watsonians 2's 83ao (33.5 overs)
M. Yellowlees 25
G. Trewartha 3-12, S. McOscar 3-17, R. Javed 2-20

Holy Cross 84-1 (20.4 overs)
O. Mazher 44*, C. Ellis 30*.

full scorecard here: 

Div 5 -Roseburn
2nd lost by 5 wicket to MDAFS 3's
details to follow

Div 8 -Peffermill

Holy Cross 118-8: Carlton 4 119-9.

A tremendous game won off the last ball with a bye to the keeper standing up.

report here 
Scorecard here

League Weekend 2 and the Week Ahead

Saturday's League fixtures -

• 1sts vs Watsonians 2nds at Arbo.
• 2nds vs Murrayfield-DAFS 3rds on the Roseburn artificial.
• 3rds vs Carlton 4ths at Peffermill.

Sunday - five Crossers (Charlie, EC, Shannon, Gary and Raja) are playing for the ESCA Select against the Scottish Students at Falkland.

Tuesday - nets at Newfield in the evening.

Thursday - Murgitroyd Masterton Trophy 1st round vs Musselburgh at Arbo.