3rds Triumph - #youthrevolution

From Andy G at 21.54 on Saturday night, with light editing.

Saturday 5th May, 3rds vs Preston Village 2nds, Polwarth Oval.

With the hockey season finishing last week the 3rd XI looked awfully Grange-y with another four debutants in the side.

We had an average age of only 42 (#youthrevolution) and some very bad hangovers with the Grange hockey end of season night out the night before/morning of - Parker was asked to leave the pub because he fell asleep; Cruickshank chased a fox; and we all stood and watched as a dog went past us on Lothian Road driving a car.

We went out for a bowl [I think we've moved on from the night out to the game now - Ed].

They had 8 players, so 7 wickets couldn't be that hard, surely?

We went with pace to start. McGill (8 overs, 2 for 20) and Parker opened well with chances at both ends. After lulling the Village People into a false sense of security - dropping 3 dollies - we started to pluck them from the air. Ken had a superb catch flying to his right at gully to nab one of the openers. We held the rest of the chances and took 6 catches in all.

Henton took over from Parker at the top end after 10 overs. He bowled beautifully, taking a wicket with the last ball of his 5 over spell and giving away only 9 runs.

I was a bit bored with Richard (8 overs for 14) and Matt bowling so tightly, so I decided to replace the former with a Tasmanian Devil called Morton, who, if anyone doesn't know, is the Grange CC assistant groundsman, yet has come to Holy Cross to in his words "get f*****ked up, mate" and something about bears on the baaandary - I don't understand him.

Jake started by giving Cruickshank some work to do behind the stumps. Reminded me of myself when I used to bowl! But he quickly got into his rhythm and got two well deserved wickets for 24 off his 6 overs. Parker (6 overs, 2 for 12) nabbed the last and they were 74 all out.

After a very good tea, with Jon "Smugly" Broomhead declaring that he only came for the doughnuts, Mahmood and Mike were sent in with two jobs - to knock off at least the first 20 or so runs and to see the shine off the ball.

I think both were going for the Coastal Erosion award (though Dom McMonagle also made a strong bid in the 2nds game later on) as they crept to 12 of 8 before both playing on. I appeared at the crease, and swung wildly at my second ball, prompting a shout from Ken on the boundary that there was plenty of time. Fortunately, I paid no attention on my way to 44 not out and neither did "Smugly" as we raced to a 35 run partnership off 4 overs before "Smuggles" decided to dance down the wicket and miss the ball.

In came our second Antipodean, Cruickshank. He was in for two and a half overs and hit 10 off 5 balls. For the last over I told him that if he didn't hit a 6 to win the game he wouldn't be allowed into the Arbo Green Room. Thus inspired, he smashed one over long off but unfortunately it bounced short of the rope. Next ball, perfect straight drive all along the deck. Game won. Partnership of 29 off 15 balls. "Smugly" barred from the Green Room  and dropped off at home on the way back to Arbo.

Overall, a good day and a few more recruits.