1st XI v Grange II @ Fettes - 28/07/2012

Whilst some of the cricket wasn't the most picturesque, the setting wasn't too bad and it was a fantastic toss to lose. These are taken in the last 10 overs.

Bonfield playing in the V

Skipper square cuts

Bonfield defends.

Bonfield v ex Warwickshire captain Mike Powell

Russell showing off his technique

McOscar bats, bowls, keeps wicket and even does the scorebook.

Bonfield tickles one round the corner

Note the game on the pitch next to us had exited stage left and the covers were on whilst we soldiered on.

A familiar site at cricket grounds this summer - puddles.

Smudger's 2x30th In Photos

Father of the club

Smujinder 'Smudger' Smudgerjee celebrated graduation from the famous Holy Cross Youth Academy as he turned 3x20 at Arboretum Road's infamous Green Room Nightspot on Saturday night.

News had reached the capital that Lawrie's Third Army had defeated a Largo battalion in a stirring encounter at St Andrews in the only Cross game to reach a conclusion. Whilst Twitter reported that El Presidente had been hitting big 6's, there was also relief that after losing his only pair of cricket trousers, Coco had been forced to purchase a new pair and was therefore not playing in his golden budgie smugglers. It'd been mischievously suggested that his missing breeks had simply got up and scarpered of their own accord!!!

Golden Balls McGill back in '69

The 1st XI had returned early from Fettes after thrashing Grange 2's 204-0 in a one-sided affair where it would probably be fairer to mention that Grange never really got started in their innings. The 2's game, at the Fortress itself, also fell victim to this cantankerous jet stream silly bother we've been enduring of late. This ensured a prompt start to the binge drinking for both teams.

The distance of the 3's from the birthday shenanigans meant the party would have to wait for the dazzling social racontuerism of Messrs McGill & Robertson. In the meantime the legendary anecdotes were provided by the hippest swinger in the club, Mr G Lohan. The highlight was the discovery that "Paxman was my fag". Those of us educated by the council dared not ask for a layman's translation.

One of the things Gerry has smoked???

The 3's began to arrive back in instalments, generally in order of virility (I'll leave it to others to decide in which order). Their arrivals were interspersed with appearances by Honorary Legends such as Cartwright (senior) and Mair (available for selection, but not selected!!!).

Shifty - 5for in a break from filming

Eventually El Presidente and Coco joined proceedings and the real BS could begin. President Maradona was able to declare "this is finally the club I wished it to become" as young Gaware lit the presidential roll-up completely unrequested. It was made obvious that the drink was taking effect when Zggy Cydzk didn't even attempt to pronounce the name of a fellow cricketer - "that whotsisname" - also sporting a Polski surname.

It was also my pleasure (totally wasn't) to reunite McGill with his errant trews. They had been discovered earlier by poor Raja who had heard a low humming noise emitting from deep within his cricket bag. They had to be extracted at arms length and placed in a sealed container before immaturely falling into my possession as Dougie declared 'last bag packed has to take them', placing me at a distinct disadvantage being the only bag left unpacked.

All that remains to be divulged is this rather fetching snap taken anonymously at the end of the evening. Should any Smudger offspring be reading, I'd recommend going no further, or at the very least, scrolling down very slowly...

One for Mrs Smudger

Crisis taIks

Word has reached me that two Crossers have become so concerned abut HX's recent run of poor results/ performances that they will be meeting up in order to put together an action plan

Without naming the two individuals, it is likely that 'standards' and the bowling of bouncers at 15-year-olds may crop up

Pres leads the way as thirds lift gloom

Saturday scores digest:

1sts (at Fettes College):

Holy Cross 204 for 7 in 50 overs.
(S McOscar 54, D. Russell 45*, K. Fraser 39)
Grange 2 0 for 0 in 0 overs.
No result - Abandoned due to heavy rain shower.

scorecard here

2nds (at Arbo)

Watsonians 172.
Holy Cross 33 for 1 off 10.
No result -  Abandoned due to (the same) heavy rain shower.

3rds (at St Andrews)

WON!!!
Full details to follow on this very unlikely event.
MOM performance from the Pres...

League Weekend 14 and the Week Ahead

This Saturday's scheduled fixtures -

• 1sts vs Grange 2nds, away.
• 2nds vs Watsonians 3rds, at Arbo.
• 3rds vs Largo 3rds, (far, far) away at St Andrews.

Don't forget, come rain or shine, Saturday night is Smudger Night in the Green Room, by Presidential command, so come along to celebrate Colin's 60th in the company of Crossers, past and present.

All the Presidents Cups

Unfortunately, we were just beaten by Edinburgh in the Presidents Trophy quarter final last night. On a more positive note, the Presidents Plate semi-final vs Largo is confirmed for Sunday 5th August, at Largo.

No More Agony on The Cross

I have detected in recent posts unmistakeable traces of pessimism from certain regular contributors (you know who I’m looking at, ex-captains of the Firsts).  Maybe it’s the weather.

Now, I may have been known in the past to exhibit a certain amount of, shall we say, realism when it comes to our combined potential as athletes.  However the time has come to reiterate that the quintessential character of The Cross is both exquisite pain and ultimate victory – to be both crap and brilliant in the same moment.

As if to prove this seminal point, I intend to mark a serial improvement in the weather by making my comeback for the club this weekend in the Thirds, where I hope my command of eight functional digits will not embarrass my team-mates.  (When my great-grandfather died he only had five fingers, but then he worked in a sawmill, which I would reckon was a piece of cake compared to standing up to Jeremy Preece).

So, to banish the Blues and lift our soggy morale, as well as to put some overdue money behind the bar, this Saturday will be a full-on Arbo night regardless of what the weather may bring.  Not only will we be celebrating the hitherto unrealised health and fertility benefits of “Clan” brand tobacco, but I will be selling copies of the attached photograph to remind you that success isn’t everything.  I hope to see all present and former captains in attendance, with their happy hats on.  Got it?

Sifting Through The Smouldering Embers.

The Tears

In Affectionate Remembrance

of

Holy Cross Cricket

which died at Fortress Arboretum

on

21st July 2012

Deeply lamented by a large circle of Sorrowing

Friends, Acquaintances & Safety Committee members

R.I.P.

N.B. The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Grange Loan

The Pain

Worth Waiting 5 Weeks For?

A panel of independent judges have marked yesterday's HX 1st XI's performance vs Carlton 2's :

Bowling: 5
Batting: 3
Fielding: 1

Well played Carlton but they should have been tested rather more...

League Weekend 13 and the Week Ahead

As I type, all three Saturday matches are still on. Fingers crossed ......

• 1sts vs Carlton 2nds at Arbo.
• 2nds vs Stirling County 3rds, away.
• 3rds vs Kirk Brae 2nds at Campbell Park.

Midweek -

• Wednesday, Presidents Plate (2nds and 3rds) quater final vs Casuals CC at Arbo.
• Thursday, Presidents Trophy quarter final vs Edinburgh at Arbo.

Smudger Smashes Sixty

Top Crosser, current grounds commissar, former match secretary, former 3rds captain, former 2nds captain (both full time and stand-in), Colin "Smudger" Smith (on the left on the right, if you see what I mean) will be 60 on Wednesday. Unbelievable but true.

Come and join the most fertile man in the club for celebratory drinks in the Green Room on the evening of Saturday 28th. Hear the legend of the Largo Seven. Learn why one male Smith played for Carlton rather than the Cross. Meet mystery guests from the club's past, including, for new players, our President, Mark "Shifty" Robertson (on the right on the right, if you see what I mean), who is rumoured to be available for selection. Get mildly intoxicated. Arm wrestling optional.

Fixture Congestion Eased

At the behest of Lord Admin, we have been busily engaging in a purge of fixture commitments by exiting tournaments in some haste.

Apologies for lack of details, I don't have any scorecards to hand.

On Sunday we travelled to Glasgow Accies (Gaccies v Haccies?) and were beaten with a couple of overs to spare. We made 144 all out which just wasn't enough in the end, top scorer most likely Gary T. Highlights included a comedy leave to a steepler by McGill on the boundary (as he didn't touch it, it doesn't count as a drop) and the best over of Dougie's career as he unleashed some unfeasible turn. Super Ted let us down badly after recent cup heroics collecting a Golden amidst a hat-trick and trashing his 1st XI average. Later Broonster incurred some jewel damage in a plucky last wicket stand and has been sitting down very carefully ever since.

Quote of the day by Broonster; "Stood on the scales this morning and I've lost 14lbs in two months. Nearly lost 2 stones in a day in Glasgow".

Man of the match - Their 5-for debutant.

Just found this - Glasgow Accies v Holy Cross
Note - This scorecard says Ted & Ziggy both made 1, from 1 ball, and were bowled. I'll need that explained to me.

Note the car headlights in the car park

On Tuesday we had the pleasure of playing on the Arty at Roseburn against Mufs in another semi final. It was damp, grey and gloomy at the start and got damper, greyer and gloomier. Ach I'll just come out and say it, Bimbo dropped the cup!!! Asif Mohammed who went on to blast 64 in no time was on about 2 when he toed one high towards long on, but Bimbo's bouncy mitts gave the Mufs man a second chance.

Gary T chips one into the gap

The next over Trewartha was blasted for two 6's and a 4 and wasn't the only one to suffer. So Dougie chucked the ball to Bimbo and asked him to make amends, but said ball was then brutally despatched straight back over his head and probably over the Water of Leith as well. It was never found. A local battleaxe walking her great great great grandchild took that opportunity to scold our humble skipper along the lines of Health & Safety (even although the ball cleared the path, the curmudgeon and her little miracle by about 3,000 feet).

Once Mohammed departed, the Cross bowlers regained control and were able to restrict the hosts to only 139. Owais (7), Me (7) & McO (2) got us off to a rubbish start. Gary T salvaged a decent 30 in the middle somewhere, but the rest of us were unable to deal with the scoreboard pressure, the invisible ball and the dancing feet of their opening bowler (you had to be there). The innings finished with Sandy & Andy R needing just eight 6's from the last 8 balls and they let us down very badly as the innings concluded at 93-10 from 19 overs.

Man of the Match - Bobby Bainbridge.

Cupdate

A reminder that on Tuesday night we take on Murrayfield-DAFS at Roseburn in the Parks Trophy semi-final.

Next week sees two cup ties at Arbo -

• Wednesday 25th, Presidents Plate quarter-final vs Casuals CC.
• Thursday 26th, Presidents Trophy quarter-final vs Edinburgh.

Full list of cup commitments here.

Friday update - 3rds OFF

The 3rd XI game tomorrow is off as Campbell Park is still unplayable.

Next week's Presidents Trophy tie vs Edinburgh is now in doubt as Arbo is not available to us on the Thursday evening - watch this space.

League Weekend 12 and the Week Ahead

It's barely rained since Wednesday morning. Could we actually play some cricket this weekend? If so, this is the schedule -

• Saturday, 1sts vs Watsonians 2nds, away.
• Saturday, 2nds vs Murrayfield DAFS 3rds, at Arbo.
• Saturday, 3rds vs Carlton 4ths, at Campbell Park.
• Sunday, CS Challenge Cup semi final vs Glasgow Accies, away.

Midweek cup action -

• Tuesday, Parks Trophy semi final vs Murrayfield DAFS, at Roseburn.
• Thursday, Presidents Trophy quarter final vs Edinburgh at Arbo, subject to confirmation of booking.

Cup Update - this Thursday off, next Thursday added.

Thursday night's Presidents Plate quarter final against Casuals CC is off, as the Meadows are unplayable. Watch this space for further updates - we may be moving into coin toss territory.

Weather permitting, next week is shaping up to be busy - as noted yesterday, our Parks Trophy semi final against Murrayfield DAFS is now scheduled for Tuesday night (17th) at Roseburn.

In addition, subject to confirmation of our booking, our Presidents Trophy quarter final against Edinburgh is scheduled for Thursday night (19th) at Arbo.

Up to date list of cup commitments here.

Shifty Available Again

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18791134

Might be free in August

Arbo in the News

 As a foIIow up to Broonster's post, see this in today's Evening News

Parks Trophy date

Our Parks Trophy semi-final against Murrayfield-DAFS is now scheduled for Tuesday 17th July at Roseburn. Up to date list of cup commitments here.

Po(u)ring over the Stats

Cricket club Twitter feeds have recently carried little but news of rain-offs and photos of flooding. While Arbo offers nothing as dramatic as the flooding at Grange or Carlton or Roseburn or the Inch, it has still been taking a fair old battering.

Yesterday's Scotland on Sunday gave some indication of just how much of a battering. According to the Met Office, the average rainfall for the month of July for the Botanics, just around the corner from the Fortress, is 56.7mm. In the week to Saturday 66.5mm of rain were recorded, 39mm of which fell on Saturday alone.

Tuesday friendly washed away

Unfortunately, Tuesday night's friendly against Murrayfield DAFS at Roseburn has fallen victim to the weather/flooding.

Weekend Update

Saturday's 1st and 3rd XI games are now definitely OFF.

The 2nd XI's game against Edinburgh South 2nds is scheduled for the Peffermill artificial and so is still ON at the moment. Please pack unspiked wellingtons/flippers.

League Weekend 11 and the Week Ahead

Probably just mad optimism prompted by a whole afternoon without any rain, but here are the weekend's scheduled fixtures -

• Saturday, 1sts vs Largo at Arbo.
• Saturday, 2nds vs Edinburgh South, away on the Peffermill artificial, we think.
• Saturday, 3rds vs Morton 2nds at the Meadows.
• Sunday, CS Challenge semi-final vs Glasgow Accies at New Anniesland, Glasgow.

And midweek -

• Tuesday evening, friendly vs Murrayfield DAFS at Roseburn - CANCELLED.
• Thursday evening, Presidents Plate (2nds and 3rds) quarter-final vs Casuals CC at the Meadows.

Future of Arboretum discussed at Council meeting

On the 21st June, the following Motion was raised again at the Education, Children and Families Committee. There are some interesting, intriguing and concerning aspects of the motion which could affect the Cricket Club, Inverleith RFC and others who use Fortress Arbo.

Motion by Councillor Hinds remitted from Council on 15 March 2012 – Arboretum Playing Fields

“Arboretum Playing Fields, currently on the Children and Families account, is well used by established clubs and schools for cricket, football and rugby.

The Committee notes, however, the poor condition of the current temporary changing facilities (with Portakabins costing £10,000 a year) and the derelict former changing rooms.

Committee therefore agrees that new changing facilities are required and calls for a report to address this. The report should cover the following:

1. The possible sale or lease of the derelict building to fund future development

2. Finances which might be available, including prudential borrowing and other funding opportunities

3. Possible joint partnership working with the adjoining facilities run by Stewart Melville College

4. Discussions with the current users on their plans for the future use of the facilities and consideration of possible alternative models for the future management of the facilities.”

A working party representing the Cricket & Rugby Club will be engaging with officials over the coming weeks and months to ensure that the best outcome for all stakeholders is reached.

More will be posted online as and when updates are available.

Thursday Game OFF

HX vs Edinburgh CC in the @ESCACricket President's Trophy on Thursday is OFF
for obvious reasons

Arbo at 7pm on Thurs  -pic by A Quinn

Diamond available for selection

Batting average of 47..or was it 29..

With AG and his 'little black book' having gone missing, KF is struggling to find 11 men for Thursday's cup clash.
Fortunately this man is now available...

CS Challenge Semi

We learn that Glasgow Accies beat Irvine 3-2 in a bowl-off, so our CS Challenge cup semi will be away at their Anniesland ground next Sunday (8th July). With Andy G  and DR away, please contact KF with your availability.