Mixed fortunes for the Cross.

Given that it was a sunny afternoon I decided to wander down and see how the Cross were getting on. I was impressed by the young athletes flinging themselves around the park...but I soon moved on from The Grange and arrived at Arbo.

There, a familiar looking 2nd XI were in confident mood having bowled out Glenrothes 3rds for 103. Despite arriving late (forcing Michael to sub field) Smudger picked up 5 wickets.

I nipped over to Inverleith to catch the final 7 balls of the match.. The firsts had recovered from 35/6 thanks to a decent partnership between Owais and Robin but 84 was never likely to test SMRH 2's (especially on a true artificial pitch..)-they surpassed HX's total in just under 20 overs. Disappointing after last week's good start to the season.

Back to Arbo. Coastal Ken had been dismissed (a lengthy duck) but Ziggy (47no) and JB (35no) knocked off the runs with relative ease (even if Jon did receive a couple of let-offs). Confidence building win for the twos.

Post match drinks in the Arbo sun made me think I'd stepped through a wormhole...same people*, same view... same chat..
*in fairness there were a few new faces, which is encouraging to see.

But where is McGILL?????

New pavilion on its way as Council rubber-stamp StewMel lease plans.

Following Thursday's (21st March) meeting of the Edinburgh Council Finance & Budget Committee at the City Chambers, we are delighted to announce that the plans to grant a 60 year lease to Erskine Stewart’s Melville Governing Council re the Arboretum Road pavilion and playing field have been rubber stamped.

A Partnership Agreement (maybe we could call it The Arbo Agreement?!) will see Inverleith Rugby Club, Holy Cross Academicals Cricket Club & Standard Life Cricket Club, St Thomas of Aquin’s & Trinity Academy Schools and Spartans Youth FC as tenants.

Key elements of the plans, which we have been played an integral part in shaping, will see Stew Mel paying for the refurbishment of the presently derelict and iconic pavilion.  Costs are expected to be in the region of £500,000.  Initial drawings are pleasant with a balcony feature likely to be popular on a day where the mercury hits double figures!

 

 

 

This will of course see the dreadful portacabins (which cost the Council £10k pa over the best part of a decade) removed! 

When will this all happen? The timescales are to be finalised however it is hoped that everything could be ready mid-2014.  Fear not though fellow Crossers, the Green Room is safe! The existing Clubhouse will remain in situ and hopefully we'll be able to hand the biscuit tin around at both the Cricket and Rugby AGMs to buy a tin of paint to spruce it up inside!

 

Our thanks go to all key stakeholders who have worked together in the most impressive fashion to get this from a discussion in the Green Room to Council sign-off in less than 12 months.

 

The full report can be downloaded here

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

Bimbo wins in tense Holy Cross Arm Wrestling Championship climax

Bimbo was last night crowned as the Arbo Arm Wrestling Champion of the World in the historic surroundings of the Green Room.

He defeated the Mighty Quinn in a 3 bout final by 2-1.

On his route to winning the Tankard he'd bought to replace the one he thought he'd lost, Bimbo defeated Calum 'Big Guns' Smith in the Semi.

The Mighty Quinn delivered a knockout blow to the Smith Dynasty of Arm Wrestling prowess, taking the bookies by surprise with a Semi Final win over Smudger.

One delighted punter was spotted celebrating with his winnings shortly after the Bimbo win.

Pick of the Pics from Parks Trophy Final

The 'pick' of the pics from Wednesday Night's Parks Trophy Final victory over MDafs can be found on Broonster's Facebook page

Abandon all hope.

Breaking News ... All matches abandoned...

1sts
At Eastfield Park, Fauldhouse

Holy Cross 47 for 7 after 29 overs

Raja Sandhu 4 for 16 off 8
Alan McDonald 1 for 3 off 7

C. Ellis 22 not out

Early tea taken as rain got stronger...then it became a monsoon leaving an already soft pitch flooded.

2nds (Arboretum)
Watsonian 3's reached 159-4 then the heavens opened...

3rds (Roseburn-Artificial)
were 20-odd for one chasing 95 when it got too wet..

..further breaking news... Presidents Trophy match vs Stirling County 2's on Sunday-postponed.

Annual Holy Cross BBQ - Early Warning!!

In a blatant and gratuitous attempt to grab your attention I'm taking the bold effort of announcing the date for the annual club BBQ early as opposed to the traditional 3 days beforehand.

It seems the fixture list has declared 30th of July to be the auspicious date when all teams play in closest proximity to each other.

As always it is an open event and with this much notice there no excuses for not bringing your partner, kids or friends along. *

* The club accepts no responsibility for the fallout of your partner discovering how and with who you spend so much of your precious summers weekends.

Clash of the Titans

Lets hope the weather holds this weekend so Arbo doesn't witness another scene such as this where a fragile old man was forced to arm wrestle a far stronger virile opponent for the amusement of a braying crowd. Disgraceful.

Age of Austerity hits Arbo.

Because of the impeding spending cuts, a number of major capital projects have had to be shelved by the club treasurer. It is hoped that some or all of the projects may be completed when the economic climate revives (The President forecasts this to occur in the 2nd quarter of 2028 - when the first term of his presidency will end).

The projects postponed include:

1. Clubhouse extension plan:

a. The Graveyard Bar (proposed by Ellis Snr/PVB with Presidential support).
A peaceful snug-away from the boisterous atmosphere of the Green Room.
Here the more mature Crossers can enjoy their real ale, malt whiskeys and cigars in front of a roaring open fire - and listen to 78’s and watch ladies tennis.

b. The Safety Room (KF/S. Bonfield/ BAF):
Combined poker and smoking room. Stocked with supplies of papers and snacks.

c. Entertainment Wing (Bainbro/ Andy G/ G. Lohan)
For use during inclement weather. With facilities for Ping Pong, bar billiards, and pole dancing (no, not Ziggy). Also includes space for a 6-piece band.

2.Ground Improvements.

a. Combined hover-cover/ Tea urn (cje).
Sensitive to moisture (any significant rain triggers it into operation) this cover can extend to protect the entire playing surface. Plus the water collected runs directly into a massive urn, providing fresh Assam or Darjeeling tea 24/7.

b. Deluxe combined heavy roller/ mower/ scarifier (Coco/ Smudger).
Weighing 10 tons and with a top speed of 25mph. For lengthy stints of pitch preparation, it comes with a well-stocked fridge, cigarette machine and bunk bed.

'We have to get rid of old attitudes' says Two Dogs

http://news.scotsman.com/opinion/Robin-Worsnop-We-have-to.6326118.jp

Think what he's saying is while our teas have improved in recent decades, the food offered in the Arbo Green Room could be better. Bags of out of date crisps, crumpled sandwiches and broken biscuits are no longer likely to attract the discerning visitor.

btw, for once the Scotsman spells his name correctly!

3 wins..again!

Despite sustaining a suspected broken thumb, President Robertson was a contented man, gurgling with delight in the green room as all three sides won (yes even the 2nds!!) for a 2nd week in succession.

1sts beat Glenrothes by 3 wickets at Riverside Park.
Glenrothes 189/9 (G. Hopcroft 73, F. Khan 35, A. Millington 5-41)
Holy Cross 193/7 (S. Pickering 51, C. Ellis 48, C. A. Smith 43, F. Khan 3/25, G. Hopcroft 3/36)

2nds beat Leith FAB by 74 runs at Arbo
Holy Cross 206/9 (N. Metha 69, A. Cydzik 44, P. V. Bailey 20, Saeed 4/22)
Leith FAB 132 ao (McKean 69, Lohan 4/25, C. O. Smith 3/25).

3rds beat Preston Village at Polwarth Oval.Don't have full details
Think they made 170 odd (50 for Scott, 37* for Ellis Snr.....)
Bowling PV out for about 105 (4 wickets for Astley, 3 for Ellis Snr)

Arbo to host 4th election debate.

In a shock development, the broadcasters have responded to the SNP’s legal action by agreeing to a fourth debate, involving the SNP, as well as representatives from some fringe parties. It will be hosted in Edinburgh in front of an audience of mildly inebriated amateur sportsmen.

Venue: Arbo Green Room.
Date: This Saturday, 8pm
Chaired by: Prof Roland Dannreuther
Broadcast on Channel 4, SC4, Radio 4 and Radio Forth.

Representing the parties will be:

Labour
Keith Geddes
JLR Brown

Conservatives
Mr Admin
Broonster

Liberal Democrats
Andrew Graham
Rob Bainbridge
(well, I’ve no idea about their politics but they’re young, popular and are well known for their ******** exploits … and they’re certainly capable of designing a new voting system that no one else will understand.)

Anarcho-Syndicalist League/ String up the Bankers Now!
Chris Kerr
Mark Robertson

SNP
to be confirmed

Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party
to be confirmed

UKIP
to be confirmed-do we have any eccentric aristocrats capable of a performance such as this??