Holy Cross ACC v Edinburgh CC

With the mercury threatening to tip into the second half of single figures, the winter snows now only restricted to higher ground and the Caledonian mistral easing down to mere icy gale levels, turns out its time for us northern Brits to pretend summer is once more upon us (or at the very least imminent) and engage in our annual sporting flagellation's by partaking in the pastime known as cricket.

Holy Cross 1's have a new skipper this season. A keen and able individual known as Radge who likes smashing it out the park as regularly as possible. So far so good. His naive optimism at the embarkation point of the 'Radge Era' compelled him to err into comedy with his first captatorial decree. After declaring my availability I received an email;

"Home game 1pm start. 12 o'clock meeting at Arbo sharp". Comedy gold!!!

Arriving bang on 1pm, I quickly discovered the wife had forgotten to check I'd packed my breeks, meaning not just playing like a total amateur all afternoon, but looking like one too, being forced to field half clad in denim.

So I missed about the 1st three overs or so of the scheduled 35 per side, cleverly foregoing any need for a warm-up. By the time I entered the arena, nothing much had really happened. We seemed to be playing Edinburgh, but we also appeared to actually be Edinburgh as well, with more Edinburgh CC attire on our side than HX clobber. Probably a devious captaincy ploy to befuddle any potential skullduggery or something I suspected (though we still didn't get any LB's).

Asif (6-1-32-1) and Raz Ahmed (7-1-23-1) opened from the Castle End and Harbour End respectively without making the breakthrough after 4 overs apiece. First change Farooq (7-2-22-4) drew first blood bowling Majeed for 11.

Apologies as the scorebook standards demanded by ancient club scribes weren't fully adhered to, meaning details proving elusive.

Third change Dom McMonagle (or J Mack as the scorebook has him) finished with 2-36, his spell an interesting three way combination of marginal legside wides (not a criticism of him or the umps, that was what had been agreed pre-match), straight sixes and wickets.

The skipper also had a chuck showing a bit more control than his band of bowling brothers (e.g. less wides) but not quite matching the accuracy of Farooq or threat of Asif.

Pick of the Edinburgh batters was opener K Hussein who seemed to adjust to the occasional slow/low Arbo track better than most, right up until totally misjudging a Dom half tracker which didn't really get up and didn't really come through. Hussein tried heaving it onto Arboretum Road a full thirty seconds before the ball arrived on the off stump departing for an innings best 39.

A decent effort by both sides in the 'stiff' conditions, Edinburgh posting 157 (only 10 men, 20 wides) in the 33rd over, somewhere around par for April.

Raja and Owais opened the Cross response, but the latter was back in the hutch before I even began spectating. New vice captain Euan House lasted three balls, the chat on the boundary being he 'got a jaffa'. Raja also rejoined his team mates for 13 leaving the hosts wobbling at 23-3. Farooq (15) and Adnan (12) began the rebuilding with a partnership of 30. Farooq also provided decent support to Asif taking the Cross to 117 by the time he was out in the 27th over.

But the wintry conditions had already 'Dougied' Asif's hammy, Adnan rejoining the fray as a runner. Despite being new to the club, they all quickly adopted the Holy Cross tradition of running confusion, at one point it even looked like Adnan (the runner) might need a runner, leading to conjecture about how many batsmen who couldn't run we could fit onto one cricket square.

With Farooq's departure, the short-trousered McMonangle made his way to the crease with visible intent!!! Most of our running, you'll never believe this, had been more 'ambly' than rapid, the run rate was creeping up and time was running out. Dom made his intentions clear maximising the scoring opportunities hurrying along a startled looking Adnan while Asif continued punishing the bad balls with 2's, 4's and the odd 6.

Michael could hardly contain his excitement at this stage even breaking into a one man cheer when Asif was dropped in installments at long off.

As the total passed 150 and a Cross victory rolled closer, news was relayed from the scorer that McMonagle, for all his action, efforts and enterprise, having been at the crease since the scoreboard read 117, had still not actually got off the mark. He'd maxed out on wides, byes and leg byes but was yet to actually get a run all to himself. And so it continued with Asif and extras with Dom's pace between the wickets carrying us home in the 33rd over. Asif (jug!!!) making a match winning 81 not out and Dom one of the best 0 not outs you will see. Even Coastal Ken (padded and due in at 9) nodded with admiration at the next generation of coastals coming through.

A final word to the only other home player not mentioned. Navraj didnt get to bat or bowl. When I pushed him as to how he'd describe himself, he replied 'well I've not played since school, met Robin at a party and he got me to come along and if its OK with you, I'd prefer to delay identifying whether I bat or bowl for a week or two yet'. I suspected he'll fit right in before he clinched it by saying 'and I'm only available til July'. That's like the perfect template for a Crosser is it not.

C'mon the Cross!!!

Fuds' Fielding is the Highlight of the Weekend of Woe!

[Andy G reports on the match between HX 3's & Glenrothes 3's]

The 3rd X trucked to Glens on Saturday morning full of beans and arrived early. Yes that's right, 9 of 10 arrived at 12.15!! Unheard of! So in order to not embarrass ourselves with any sort of warm up we hung out in the changing room until 1250 mostly chatting about how good England are and what would Dhoni do against Coco's pace?!

Naturally Mahmood rocked up at 5 to 1 ...and to the wrong car park.

We were told that we'd be playing on the big pitch! That would have been great!! Unfortunately, it was really wet after the night before - the groundsman had said it needed watered so didn't put the covers on overnight! We would have played if there was no alternative but thought it would be a much better game if we played on the arti!

We assembled the nets around the outfield (though this didn't help as we still lost 6 balls - don't worry Jon only 1 new one was lost!) and tossed up. I won the toss and decided to bat, mostly cause I was a bit tired after hockey pre-season fitness and didn't want to field until I'd had tea! It's the finer details that determines decisions of what way the captain will elect to start the game when he wins the toss...

So Mahmood and Mike kitted up and sauntered in! The first ball; Mike hits it straight to a fielder and shouts YES! in true Nevin style. Mahmood sprints 2 paces then falls over in the middle of the crease. The Glenrothes fielder launches the ball in and the wickety was haulted by their skipper from taking the bails, very sporting !! Mahmood reciprocated by not scoring a run off the next 19 balls he faced - good coastal erosion!

Nevin hit 3 and was bowled bringing the Parker to the crease. He had gone to his brother's for tea the night before so was full of good red wine and brandy - unfortunately this wasn't a winning combination! It needs to be rum before a cricket game Ross, you know that!!
Ross went to hit one and it went high - their skippa made up some  ground to take it at mid on!

So I pop in at the 16th over. I'd been scoring since the start and really needed a wazz but couldn't leave scoring cause i'd been next in since the 12th! I decided I just had to see off 4 overs before scuttling off behind a container!! After 19 overs we had 44 runs (only 14 off 4 with me and Mahmood so pretty slow!) Mahmood then gets bowled!! This brought in the powerhouse - Fraser Buchanan. We had drinks - and I excused myself - and this brought a lease of life to the Cross!

It also made the wicket keeper a bit chattier - after i'd scratched around a bit for the last 4 overs he was getting chirpier (asking if I knew that we were playing cricket? did I know I needed to try and hit the rope? Were we trying to get 70 to get 1 batting point? Did my shorts and sock combination come in white cause the blue looks a bit village?)

I enjoyed this chat ... A lot! It was really good - I had a chat with him after and said if he ever moved to Edinburgh he should come to the cross. I asked him if he would like to put someone on the rope at cow corner and he said that because I hadn't hit a shot past short mid on. So I gave Butchy the wink ...

We proceeded to smack the ball around all corners of the ground.
After the 20th over (having hit a 6 and 2 4s to cow / long mid on) I asked the wickey the same question- they then had 3 on that boundary! Butchy and I hit 90 off 9 overs before I played across a straight one and was bowled for 68! Disaster, I didn't think and was punished! Bit silly but I made it to 400 for the season, only 20 odd short of Ross last season so I'll take that!

Butchy shortly followed me back to the rope on 26 a good but short lived partnership!
Dom and Elmondt were in next. Dom 'the new Mike Nevin' McMonagle played technically well but couldn't get the ball off the square. He then calamitously ran Elmondt out ... He still thinks there was a run straight to a lad in the covers!

There was a little wagging of the tail with Andy Donaldson striking a good 6 and losing a ball. But we were done-168 all out! Not a terrible score but with that short boundary we probably needed more than 200.

Delicious tea - someone had clearly been watching the Bake Off as there was a rather delightful carrot cake sitting out! Scrumptious !

Elmondt and Dom opened the bowling. Both bowled really well, Elmondt cracked open the wickets with a chap trying to hit him and Butchy back peddling in to take it at short mid wicket! Unfortunately we didn't take any more early wickets and although we limited them to 35 off 16, it wasn't quite enough - Elmo went for 4 runs and Dom 31.

Ross, in his second over picked up a wicket! He bowled an absolute howler of a ball - so bad that he'd already turned his back so he didn't have to look at it go over the rope. But never fear bucket hands McGonagle had it covers a great diving catch on the boundary bundling himself forward to not allow it over the rope! Great catch - catch of the season for me!

This opened them up a little bit with Coco taking one at the other end. A shot from their no. 4 getting scooped high in the air, spinning like mad off the edge - only for Gareth Howlett to get himself in a really good position to take the catch! Really good catch again! Coco bowled another; the spin, pace and flight confused the young keeper!
The last wicket we took was from Andy Donaldson -again another of these catch things! Elmondt at deep mid off! Excellent catching display; 4 of 4 taken on the day!

Although it was too little. They dispatched our short deliveries for 4s and 6s with one chap making 97*. If we had one more player either a bat to score 30 more runs or a bowler to get a couple more tight overs then we would have had a bit more of a chance.
A really commendable effort from the troops, everyone contributed with either a run, a catch or a wicket! Couldn't ask for much more against the league champs.

So it's not in our hands to go up any more but I tell you something selection's looking rosy for Saturday and our match away to Largo!!

2nd XI - The Captaincy Question

Considering it

New Odds Added (at the end)

Other clubs might call it disarray, for us it's just another close season.

With the 1st XI skipper renouncing his role at the end of the season (his temperature was up (no really), we're waiting til it comes down a bit before asking him again), speculation is rife that there will also be a vacancy at the top of the 2's.

As shall soon be customary, I've therefore decided to offer a guide for all interested parties on the movers and shakers no doubt gearing up to throw their Baggy Green into the ring.

The Loins of Peffermill

El Presidente (above) - 1-2
It's his club and he runs it with a fist of bone china. So if he wants to be captain, no doubt he will be. While he once shot at reporters in his Napoli days, nowadays his various enemies keep taking him out for weeks on end with sniper shots from range. But availability is no barrier to assuming office, indeed, not showing up increases your chances of election twofold. And with a Maradona Jr looking for a nice inheritance in the not too distant future, promising to get the 2's back into Div 4 might rally supporters behind him.


Smujinder Smudgerjee - Evens
With Smith's recently deserting the club in droves it might be possible to railroad the loins of Peffermill into another season at the helm of our middle team. In fact if he was to be skipper, he might end up captaining less games than he ends up doing when he's not skipper. Prudent Crossers may wish to hold him in reserve for whenever whoever is appointed as captain goes awol after a couple of pre-season nets.

Brian gives it the Blue Steel

Beef Raiser - Evens
No, he's not a cattle botherer, but some mad rumours seem to be suggesting that 2012's Most Improved Player could form a so-called 'dream ticket' with the veteran Smujinder Smudgerjee. That this statement alone might induce bruising on the erstwhile 2's opener might throw his fledgling candidacy into doubt, but if Titt Robme is in with a serious chance of entering the White House, why not an Evans/Houlier type arrangement at Arbo.

The Zigster on a weeknight

Cydzk 'Zggy' Nzlm - 3-1
The man who was from Poland before it became fashionable is attracted to the 2's captaincy like a fly is to shhhhhhhhhhhhould he be able to stay away from the internet where heartfelt plea-rants became his trademark, there wouldn't be too many people would complain (one would for sure, but that fight will be on the undercard of the match-up I mention later).

Biswas mk II

Vikrambrose Gawarawalapindi Express - 5-1
This is not a popularity contest or Vik would be a shoo-in along with A Graham for all offices requiring a Hawaiian shirt. Was recently declared fit again after an April-August injury kept him on the sidelines massaging a massive lump on his groin. Could set Division 5, 4, 3 & 2 alight if given the chance.

Bimbo recently

Papa Bimboridge - 8-1
With his Arbo career in freefall, a fact he cannot deny, the 2's are a realistic prospect for the 2011 arm wrestling champion. A wee stint as captain might soften the blow and even inspire the next generation of youngsters (under 35's) as he recruits them to play from his work. Headlines such as 'Bimbo's Babes' or 'Rob's Hearthrobs' might not be far away as the 2's get turned into the best looking side in Edinburgh.

How he might have looked

Rozzer Webb (of criminality) - 12-1
It began so well too. Time will tell if it has ended in ignominy, or if this is just a sort of Kevin Pietersen moment in his Cross career. Once the taker of flying catches, Rozzer had channelled his efforts towards becoming an elite sportsman who could represent his country on the pool table, instead some neds multiplied by his gargantuan steroid intake brought it all crashing down. Will his tenure be remembered as a 'What if', or can he turn back the clock, re-stand for office and redeem his reputation?

Currently on the US side of things

Kwinny - 16-1
Unusually for a Crosser, Kwinny has tailored his foreign excursions to match the close season as much as possible. This is so unusual we can only view it with rampant suspicion. What are we finally doing right that makes people want to stay? Does it mean that despite his canny insistence that he has no captainly ambitions, that indeed is exactly what he has his eye on. I'm tempted to take him at face value, but you really have to watch these humans, they're a right untrustworthy breed.


Lord Admin - 20-1

Lord Admin dresses down

Taking a break from filming the latest Thick of It, Lord Admin took the time to completely deny he'd ever want to take control of such a shower of "you types". His 100% attendance record at AGM's would make it quite difficult to sneakily elect him. Of course, since buying out the East League, Admin may have other fish to fry and see the 2's job as an inconvenience on his way to world domination.


McDougie McRussell - 25-1

Temper

After the earlier revelations that the 1's was too big a job for him (again), who can rule out a promotion to 2nd XI skip for the thinking man's radge? Not only can he bat and bowl, turns out he can keep a bit too (only a bit). Once he adds fielding and captaincy skills to his game, he might be one for the future. Once they start to grow spare human knee ligaments in laboratories, a national call-up might even be possible.

Hey gorgeous, they call me Cocko

Cocko McGill - 50-1
Known to the authorities as Carlos the Jackal, Cocko has been keeping a lower profile of late, consciously scoring less runs and keeping wicket taking to a minimum. This might be down to US drone policy and his international fugitive status or more likely just this blimmin rain. With only two stated goals for 2013, the first being getting back into the 2's, the second being taking his offspring tally into 3 figures, it's up to you to decide which is more realistic.

Coastal Erosion

Ken Troversial - 66-1
Coastal Ken is what's known in certain perverted circles as a dotball fetishist. It stems from a medical condition best described as an immunity to boredom. Casual observers might just glance at his score's of 0, 0, 1, 3, 0, 11, 0 and think 'not a bad Cross bat at all', but keener observers would look at how many balls he took to NOT get off the mark and realise there is incredible skill not just in not scoring a run on purpose, but shutting down all avenues of potential mis-scoring opportunities such as inside edges, leg byes incorrectly awarded to the batsman or overthrows. His feats and his dedication to their continuance are truly mind-boggling. About time he was dropped back down to the 2's.


McScotty McRussell - 75-1

The easier going one of the two brothers

News that McDougie is in with a shout will surely reach the ears of serial club-founder, former 2's skipper (who isn't?) and a gentleman ably designed for 2's captaincy. Completely welcome and totally barred from every club in the land, the management committee would have to OK his candidacy. Working on some sort of f-ed up quantum level he can both build the club up to levels of incredible success and destroy it. As this often happens simultaneously, most folk think things are ticking along normally. Just like the quantum physics illusion of reality.

Where to begin?

Maggie Broonster - 100-1
Sister of tea lady Mandy Broon and official club photo-chronicler, odds of 100-1 might be bargain of the century. The man who out rent boys the rent boys in the fashion stakes seems to possess absolutely zero shame (see photo). Vying with Wusrnip as the Crosser most likely to be on the box, Broonster could be a man going places. Where, I really don't know, but I think he has a bus pass and I suspect he's familiar with the 35. Successful election may rely on whether he can deliver the new bar/changing room/swimming pool complex he's secretly drawn up.


Smokin Hottie - 250-1

Smokeless ciggies, what next, non alcoholic lager???

Oh yeah, she's back. In the continuing absence of gratuitous sexism on this blog, I am led to believe that Ms S Hottie might be showing an interest in the 2's vacancy. Still banging the populist drum (not a euphemism) this er, smokin hottie believes in smoking as you play, the sort of hot topic that might end with the PVB v Coco Mixed Martial Arts match up we've all been waiting on for too long.

Killer by name, killer by nature

Further odds available on request.

NEW ODDS ADDED

Andy 'The' Killer - 75-1
At inter-school sports, when the oppo rugger team turned up you'd often be quaking in your boots at how good they looked or mostly how much bigger they were with no actual skill evidence. The Killer has both these bases and more covered. Not only is he the tallest man on the planet, he looks like he'd be a good player before you've even seen him tie his laces. On top of that, he is a dead ringer for a former English international fast bowler. No, not Devon Malcolm...

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

AGM news: Back to the future for 1sts as Russell/ Fraser takeover

Headlines:

*New 1st XI Captain for 2012 - Dougie Russell with Keith Fraser as vice.
*Norrie Webb retains his 2nd XI Captaincy status with Andy Quinn elected as vice.
*It's the status quo for the 3rd XI dream team with Ken Lawrie and Andy Graham as Captain & Vice respectively.
*But, as ever, those with real power and influence stay put.

Something Else Fishy

A pike & two googlies

In another of what may now be characterised as an occasional fishing/cricket cross reference, I thought I'd share this Prize Letter of the Month from September's Cricketer magazine.

~

Toby Codd, Devon County Under 13's captain, earned a place on The Cricketer's Honours Board earlier in the season with a magnificent hundred against Isle of Wight. He rates another mention, for an altogether different reason, following his dismissal against Hampshire U13's at the ESCA U13 County Festival at Kings College, Taunton. Codd went fishing outside off stump and was snapped up by Hampshire keeper Alex Bass off the bowling of Robert Pike, resulting in the unusual piscatorial entry:


Codd     c Bass    b Pike 2

Rumours Confirmed as Historic Document Discovered

For many years, Coastal's claim that the club once had a 4th XI - that played their home fixures at Jock's Lodge - has been met with much scepticism. Now the club's historians have unearthed a document (fixture booklet for 1987) which seems to support this notion.

An eminent historian has verified the booklet and stated: 'I am now satisfied that the document is authentic; that the history of their wanderings since 1950 is true; and that the standard accounts of Holy Cross' habits, of their personality and, even, perhaps, of some public events, may in consequence have to be revised'.

It will also be noted that the club had a junior side in 1987 (it also seems to suggest that cje's first appearance for the Cross was as a nine year old..) as well as a full set of Sunday fixtures.

Looking on the positive, now that we only field three league sides we could only suffer three thrashings on Saturday...

1sts back on track with win against Largo

Holy Cross sought to arrest a run of recent loses by entertaining Largo on Saturday, on what Charlie had a earlier declared a good track to bat on. EC duly won the toss and opted for a knock.

We started well with Chuckie and Spickers hitting regular boundaries assisted by a few extras. Going against KF's pre match prediction of three, Si was only dropped twice this week but didn't quite capitalise as he has done previously this season and was eventually caught, bringing the skipper to the crease. To their credit Largo's youngsters came on, tightened up the bowling and proved difficult to get away. Charles fell next after scoring a 54 of classy shots, bringing KF to the fore in about the 35th over, (no book I'm afraid) too late to break club records but he added a good 21 followed up by a quick 19* from Dougster. When the skip fell for a gritty, nuggety, determined 58 the late flourish failed to appear thanks in no large part to a hat trick from Thomason. A change of ends worked wonders for the Largo OA producing three good deliveries to remove EC, Bonfield and Bainbridge. After our quick start certain commentators thought 215 might have been a touch light but the skipper's view that the pitch was a bit tricky and that 215 should be fine proved to be true.

Shanton and Charlie were the pick of the bowlers with Bonfield producing some superb deliveries and Chuckster on the spot for 10 overs. Both were rewarded with 2 wickets. The match was finely poised for quite some time but the required run rate gradually increased and when Spickering removed Thomason with a quickfire stumping things appeared to be going our way. Kinnear batted through with a good 66* and despite a good few catches going down ourselves Largo wickets fell and tight bowling from Dougie, Andy K, The Doctor and occasionally from Bainbridge left the Fifers needing 8 - 10 an over from the last 10 overs. It wasn't to be and we ran out victors.

I haven't got the figures but between the wides and no balls there must have been a huge amount of extras in the game. Credit to Largo for a good game played in the right spirit and some tight bowling from their youngsters (a couple of 16/17 year olds). It's always enjoyable to play against them and I'm sure we look forward to our visit to the Kingdom later in season.

Frosty reception for Ziggy as 'Graveyard' slur mars AGM

Mr Admin will in due course be communicating the main outcomes of the AGM, held today in sub-zero conditions.

The only moment of controversy (we’ll leave aside the President’s 3 hour address) was an entirely unprovoked attack, by our re-elected 2nd team skipper, on the 3rd team. His description of the 3rds as a ‘graveyard’ provoked uproar, especially amongst the more mature 3rd-teamers (Ellis Snr was provoked into phoning his lawyer during the meeting). Given the President’s warning’s about ‘factionalism’, one presumes that Ziggy will not escape punishment.

Blocking for Britain

Michael Atherton discusses the mindset required to play long defensive innings:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/cricket/article6979992.ece

Having the right mindset is important but having an inspirational example is also vital.
It is fairly clear that Bell and Collingwood had one man and one image in mind throughout their innings.

Final Match Report

Carlton have posted a match report on the match between their 4ths and our 3rds on August 29th:





http://www.carltoncc.co.uk/fixtures_2009_4.htm#Aug29

The scorecard suggests that Scott DID get his 50.

BTW, did anyone leave their Cross cap at Grange Loan?-Ellis Snr seems to have picked up an extra one.

...3 wins...yes, even the 2nds

a great day for Ziggy and Coastal

1sts beat Largo (keeping them 3rd)

Holy Cross 184/7
E. Smith 72, S. Bonfield 60*
C. Barclay 3/29

Largo 117ao (6 points)
S. Bonfield 3/14, C. Ellis 4/ 24.

A solid victory built upon a partnership of 103 between Euan 'one shot'**
Smith and Shannon 'back playing like the pro' Bonfield which helped give
us an above-par score on a soft track.
Our strong bowling unit then squeezed their batting line-up (Shannon
taking the key wicket of Stinson) and forcing into them into some
over-ambitious shots on this type of surface.

2nds beat Falkland 2's (which may well have secured their Div 5 status)

Holy Cross 2nd XI beat Falkland 3rd XI by 6 wickets
Falkland 138-9 :(Biswas 4/24)
Holy Cross 2nd XI 142-6 ( A Quinn 50odd*, A Graham 36*) (having been 15-5, all to Alistair Melville whose 1st spell was 5-5)

3rds beat Edin South 2's (putting them 2nd)
Holy Cross 3rd XI beat Edinburgh South 2nd XI by about 65 runs scores- HX3 about 164-6 (R Ellis 67*, S. Russell 38) ; Edin South 2 about 99.

**most unfair- he only scored 87.5 % of his runs with a pull.

further details to follow