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!!!

All Hong Sao Shi Zi Tou's are on Michael

Sometimes whilst out and about around this great nation, one stumbles upon something that, for some reason, invokes a little smile.

He kept this quiet

Unsure quite what to do with this photo, or even why it contains humour, I submit it as part of our erstwhile caption competition.


I'll kick us off with the somewhat clunky:

"All Hong Sao Shi Zi Tou's are on Michael"

Inverleith RFC - Race Night

 

Crossers are invited to a Race Night at Arbo next Saturday 26th.

Starts at 7:30pm, hosted by Inverleith Rugby Football Club.

It's in aid of Mike Gordon's daughter's charity.

Entry £5.

The Silence Of The Lambs

The Bish

Largo visited Arboretum on Saturday scrapping for their first division lives. However the hosts continued to show the form that has driven them onwards and upwards this season and showed no mercy to the promising, but ultimately too inexperienced visitors.

The Cross batted first on a bogeyish track (soft, green & a bit runny) that required application from the batsmen. Well, ordinary batsmen. Rintoul, opening the bowling from the North Pole end, chided Owais for not being able to reach a wide in a surreal attempt to draw the batsmen into a war of words. Mazher’s response was to let his back take the flak and his bat do the chat. Owais appears to play the game on a strip of his own blasting his way to 22 from 17 balls before mistiming one of his booming off-drives to mid off. A little appetiser before the main course on Sunday as it turned out.

Future Hall-of-Famer, Ellis Jr joined the entrenched KF, who continued in a sort of supporting role before being emptied by “probably the ball of the decade” (my words) in the 23^rd over with the score on 79 for an unattractive 20 from 64 balls. This brought the skipper into the middle.

CJE, already in his stride and ECS building steadily began to put a really solid platform in place. Whilst the young Largo bowlers lacked any real bite (plenty bark), Frohlich apart, they showed good control and excellent variation to keep our 3 & 4 honest. Over time, our patience was rewarded. 200 would’ve been nice, 220 probably more than enough and anything else a bonus.

As the Largo kids began to wilt, the skipper in particular punished any loose balls. Charles was next to fall as we moved up through the gears for 85. Shannon added 17 in no time, refusing to face a dot ball for most of it, giving Spickers three deliveries at the end to make 2 not out. The skipper meanwhile stayed right to the end, succumbing only to a suicidal run out off the last ball. His knock of 78 included 4 (four, yes FOUR) maximum’s, three of which received heckles from the non-striker that he only had one shot. The 4^th six dispelled such notions disappearing back over the bowlers head.

The innings came to rest at 238-5. This after passing 100 in the 32^nd over illustrates how well we built on a solid start. I was impressed with the crop of Largo youngsters who all bowled and fielded well.  I’m going to mention Ryan Brown (7-1-31-0) in particular, but that’s a little unfair on the rest. They’ll be a much tastier adversary in 3 or 4 years time as, I’m led to believe, they have plenty more youngsters throughout their 4 XI’s.

After another fine Tea by Eminem, Smith opted to open with Bimboridge at the South Pole End. He struck with his third ball getting Speering to ‘do a Ziggy’, raising arms to a jab-backer that clipped the off peg. If not a fatal blow to the reply, it sprang a proverbial leak at the waterline.

The other opener was soon removed by The Bimbo (10-1-30-4) before, in one fine spell, a trail of destruction was scorched through the Fifers middle order by our own Fifer, Gary T (10-2-23-4).

Bonfield (9-1-22-0) used his two spells to write another thrilling chapter in his 1,001 Ways To Avoid Taking A Wicket. It fell to third change chucker, auxiliary Bishop Lynch (5.3-0-11-2) to bounce out the last two little lambs, both pouched behind by the ever reliable voice mail interceptor, Si Hackering.

Dougie (3-0-12-0) was the only other chucker on the day. 100 all out and more points in the bank as we look for our best league finish in over a decade.

Cross Crushed by Carlton, 2nds lose at soggy Arbo but 3's win (!!!)

Saturday Results Digest:

1sts
Carlton 2s 255 for 5 (B Lockie 106, R Bhopal 55*)
beat Holy Cross CC 87 all out (M Habib 4 for 11, J Walker 3 for 17)

An understrength 1st XI were well beaten by a strong Carlton side.

2nds:

Div 5 HX2 111 : Falkland 113-3

3rds

Division 8

At Campbell Park

Musselburgh 3rd IX 104-8 (all out)

lost to

Holy Cross 3rd XI 105-4

**just to set the results in some context:
of the 71 players we had registered at the start of the season, 47 were unavailable this weekend...

Midweek Crossers Muffed

July 13th - at Roseburn.

Murrayfield Dafs 119/7ish (Adeel batting well again after his runs against us for Macabi).

Holy Cross 'limping' to 65/7 (R. Bainbridge 27* ['forcibly retired'], B. Fraser 19).

As ever an entertaining game with some er friendly bowling on offer. The end wicket providing plenty of life for the quicker bowlers. Ken getting carried away with getting a wicket with his 1st ball of the season and trying to bounce the Mufs' batsmen out... In contrast Andy K and Bimbo 'tuned up' nicely for Saturday with two good short spells.

Thanks to Mufs for an enjoyable game and for providing a sub fielder - one who took 2 good catches!

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.

Patel Partnership rescues 1sts

Saturday Scores digest:

1st XI - Boroughmuir v Holy Cross at Meggetland

Holy Cross (20pts) 238ao, C Ellis 124, M Patel 61, R Boyapati 3 for 55
beat
Boroughmuir (10pts) 150ao, S McGrath 67

A 111 run partnership (club record? - club stattos will check) for the 8th wicket between the returning Manon and cje was the basis of the above-par total; rescuing us from 104-7. We completed a satisfying victory via a controlled bowling and fielding display.

EN report here (!):
http://sport.scotsman.com/cricket/Ellis-declares-Holy-war-on.6374097.jp

the 2nds beat Mufs 3rds
Runs for Mr Admin (74) and Nippun (84) and solid contributions from Ziggy and Andy Q helped them to 270-4, Mufs falling 70-odd short.

3rds
Leith FAB 3 1st Innings 152/7 Closed (Overs 40)
J Williams 39* N Wilson 25 Naseem Khan 22 J Ray 1/23 K Geddes 2/25 R Ellis 2/29 C McGill 1/27 Holy Cross 3 1st Innings 133/7 Closed (Overs 40)
R Ellis 32 J Watt 1/6 Naseem Khan 1/20 S Jameson 1/26 M Watt 2/43 G Fisher 2/23

Spickers and Bainbro the Key Men in Final Victory

The winning team.

Back row: Michael (12th Man), N. Shazad, S. Bonfield, C. A. Smith, J. Bates, R. Bainbridge, C. Ellis, C. McGill (Scorer).
Seated on Bench: K. Fraser (Vice-Captain), S. Pickering (Wkt), E. C. Smith (Captain), I. Astley.
Seated on Grass: V. Gaware.

Presidents Trophy Final at Myreside
Holy Cross won the toss and elected to bat

Holy Cross 172-10 from 40 overs
Pickering 73, C Smith 39, J. Bates 13,
Bhardwaj 5 for 32, Anderson 2 for 15.

defeated

Musselburgh 145-10 from 38.1 overs
A Tufail 49, Tucker 30, Anderson 19*,
Bonfield, 7 overs, 1/29
Bainbridge, 8 overs, 4/36
Ellis, 8 overs, 2/16
Gaware, 8 overs, 0/30
Astley, 7.2 overs, 2/30

2 catches for E. C. Smith, 1 for V. Gaware.

Champagne moment: Bainbro's slower ball to dismiss their hard-hitting No. 9.

More details to follow but it was an excellent game against a good Musselburgh side in a superb setting. Many thanks to the many Crossers (past and present) and our lucky mascot (Michael) who came along to support.

Press report here:
http://sport.scotsman.com/cricket/Cricket-Holy-Cross-in-.5559513.jp

Midweek Crossers Bitten by Pirani in (Yet Another) Last Ball Thriller

Coco signals to BAF that there's one to come in
the over.

In an entertaining and good-natured friendly (the last of the season) at Arbo:

Edinburgh South 120ao (19.3 overs)
A.Lal 24, P. Reddish 26
R. Bainbridge 3/9 (2 overs)
C. Ellis 3/20 (4 overs)

Holy Cross 117/7
R. Bainbridge 16
C. Ellis 64*

After the early bowlers struggled to control one of Coco's special swinging balls, we kept them to a par score. After an early collapse (44/5 off 10), we recovered and eventually required 10 off the the last over to win. However, talented all rounder Amin Pirani bowled it well and we were unable to get him away (needing 4 from the last ball, we could only scramble a single).

Highlights of the game include Michael's first ever run (punched through straight midwicket) before being welcomed to the Cross ranks in the traditional manner (getting run out by a member of the Ellis family), and Calum's lofted drive (though he forgot that he needed to run for balls that only look like they're going to the boundary).

Lowlight was - after being controversially given out stumped by the keeper standing back - McGill's 'foul mouthed tirade' (in which none of the main swear words were overlooked) directed at the umpire (BAF).

Thanks to ES for an enjoyable game and for providing sub fielders for those who didn't turn up...
(come on chaps; these games are an excellent way of finding form before league games).

Last Over Win Over Widows for McGill's Midweek Men

Scottish Widows 120ao (19.1 overs)
Edwards 39
U. Shazad 1/ 22 (4 overs)
V. Gaware 1/29 (4 overs)
Bainbridge 2/10 (2 overs)
C. O. Smith 2/21 (4 overs)
C. McGill 2/18 (3.1)
N. Shazad 0/11 (2 overs)

Holy Cross 121/1 (19.1 overs)
C. Ellis 72*
A. Quinn 30*
N. Metha 11.

With warm sunshine and a firm wicket ...it almost felt like May again..

Highlights included a near hatrick from Bainbro (hatrick ball missed off stump by an inch), a promising spell from Usama and 3 catches from Nawaz-one of them a candidate for catch of the season (from a well hit pull off from Smudger's 'slow bouncer' ). Otherwise fielding a little mixed - especially from some of the 1st teamers present - though Michael did a good stint sweeping at deep cover.

Good entertaining game that left us needing six to win off the last over-luckily the first one was a full-bunger.