It's That Time Of Year Again..

Another snapshot from Portobello

...when I return to a familiar theme and repeat the same old same old.

I've blustered fruitlessly in the past about a dislike of playing our noble game in sub-zero temperatures during April whilst reaching for the BBQ sauce after the last game of the season and soaking up some rays.

Some well meaning souls mutter mitigatingly about seed germination prior to dropping temperatures or of having to share pitches with other sports teams.

But I shall not listen to reason for no man!!! I have a bee in my bunnet and in my bunnet the bee shall stay!!! I feel so strongly about this issue I've never once attended a meeting with it in mind, let alone raised it at a meeting I've not attended.

I don't think we'd have actually managed a game this September as there was a lot of rain about at times that would have put Saturday matches in doubt (good for the fishing though, I've been howking them out good style).

However, we've just enjoyed/endured our hottest September since the thermometer was invented inspiring headlines such as;

'Its Too Hot'
'Why Is It So Hot'
'When Will It Stop Being So Hot'
&
'Coldest October 1st Since Records Began'

Britain-bakes-hottest-October-day-100-YEARS

I have to apologise that this post has been delayed, but it took me a while to decide on a photo from the range available. I'll start reviewing photo candidates for next years rehashed article this afternoon.

Those past 'articles'.
2010
2009

Making a Splash

Colin McGill has asked me to publicise this event that he is helping to organise.

Meadows misery as 3s get mauled by Morton

In what proved to be a dark day for the Cross with a trio of disappointing defeats, the 3s were simply outdone by promotion candidates Morton at the Meadows.

A partnership of 102 from Sri Lankan pair Aron & Vaaj saw Morton post a tough target of 248 at the end of an innings that started off well for Cross when Bell was caught by Nevin from a Geddes delivery in the 3rd over.

Geddes claimed the wicket of Farrell with the hosts on 38 and when Turton nicked Jones' delivery to the juggling McGill (what, haven't you heard about the athletic dive & control yet?) 70 for 3 seemed like a great start.

Martin went for a duck on 86 then Ellis pushed Tuarangaraj into Captain Ken's gloves as the century was posted on the scoreboard at the end of the 26th over. So, half of the order back on the boundary and at 100-5, the thought of an early tea sounded appetising!

What followed must have been great to watch - just not from inside the boundary if you were the fielding side!

Aron & Vaaj knocked up a 102 partnership off 46 balls inflicting pain on the bowlers and tiredness upon the fielders having to run to collect the ball from various parts of the Meadows!

Tea was had and the Cross were in bat, looking for Ken and Mike to take the game to Morton's bowlers.



Teegarden & Farrell were both economical in their bowling as the opening pair looked to chase a formidable total on a useful wicket. Nevin produced a fine display, reaching 38 before being bowled by Vaas - a decent partnership of 54 with his Captain.



Ken went for 18, Ellis for 12 and CoCo for 6 leaving the Cross looking at salvaging pride in whatever batting points they could aquire. Geddes, Williamson & Jones ALL went for ducks to Teegarden in the American's 7th over leaving a tail looking unlikely to threaten the Morton total.




However, credit should be given where credit is due! None of the final 4 batsmen sold themselves for no runs, with Robertson (7), McIntosh (3), Brown (2) and Michael from the Rugby Club (1) all putting vital runs on the board despite the lone piper in the park trying to pollute everyone's ears with his tuneless drivel!



Match Pictures