More Smudger Flashbacks

Smujinder has remembered another tasty little nugget from the depths of his cricket viewing memory. Once more I shall let the great sage's words do the so called talking!!!

This time from 1920  on ‘strilian captain –  22 stone tug of war champion Warwick 'big ship' Armstrong - who “permitted neither pulled muscles nor psychological upsets”. Sound attitude. Unfortunately, the book does not state his views on warm ups, but I think we can guess.

It occurs to me Mr Armstrong's nickname is only one letter away from the one we don't say to Coco's face.

Incidentally, despite appearances to the contrary, Mr Smudgergee is not c130 years old, he has simply been reading an off-beat book on the History of the Ashes (not the one pictured I don't think).

McOscar continues fine form

Parks Trophy Round 1 (Peffermill) (29th May)

Holy Cross 186 - 3 (S. McOscar 77*, K. Fraser 31)
Edin Uni Staff 68 - 7 (R. Bainbridge 3-1).

Another dominant Twenty:20 performance as the 1sts attempted to put the weekend's disappointment behind them.
Simon again leading the way with another classy knock- 77*-the highlight being a lovely straight 6 off their spinner..
KF, Tom and cje chipped in with useful runs as the EUSCC fielders felt the pressure.
Good early spells from Bonfire and Bimbo meant that the result was never in doubt.
As Bainbro reminds us, Andy G  put in a contender for catch of the season-at backward point.

A determined 8th wicket stand EUSCC meant they survived the 20 overs.
Broonster was unlucky not to get a wicket in his short spell. 

Aged 48...!

Surely he can't be expecting to play competitive league cricket at such an age....

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/cricket/cricket-andy-goram-to-return-to-the-crease-aged-48-1-2232246

Old Regime Clings to Power

....AGM Headlines.

Despite the 'Ring of Steel' surrounding the Arbo Green room, the following information has leaked out (via some associates of Julian Assange, posing as Inverleith Rugby club bar staff) from yesterday's HCACC AGM :

All office bearers and captains as before, apart from these new appointees:

Norrie Webb 'elected' 2nd XI captain.

Andrew Graham 'elected' 3rd XI vice-captain.

There are further unconfirmed reports that the President's annual 'great speech' lasted a mere 4 minutes-2 hours less than at the previous AGM. Some Crossologists have speculated that this may indicate a loss of authority-or weakening resolve. Certainly coded references to the need for 'new blood' by the 3rd XI captain and outbursts by the deposed 3rd XI vice-captain suggested that the balance of power within the club leadership is somewhat unsettled. The absence of several key figures (the Minister of Information, the Minister for Bread and Circuses, the Head of the Standards Commission, and the Vice-President of the Safety Committee) is believed by some to be 'highly significant' and may indicate that a coup is imminent.

Shock News: Finally a Midweek Victory!

Because of our season of 20 over misery, Coco cleverly decided to shorten the game to 18 overs per side.

Though we had only 6 confirmed at 3pm; but as it was a vital league game a midweek friendly HX were able to scramble together a strong side (Bainbridge, EC Smith, CA Smith, S Bonfield, A Killey, C Ellis, I Astley, D Cartwright, S Robertson, C McGill).

Holy Cross 134/5 (18 overs)
the retiral point of 25 reached by Ellis, EC Smith and (most impressively) Killey.

E U Staff 128/6 (18 overs)

A thoroughly enjoyable game on a sunny evening on a fine (covered) Peffermill pitch (obviously a good groundsman...yes, it seems that Gavin does a good job). Some impressive hitting from the EUS batsmen took them ahead of the run rate before their retiral/ some wickets (including a nice overhead catch from Shannon and a run out via a Killey throw from the boundary over the bails) slowed them up. A few bowlers receiving some tap...though not Bonfield, Bainbridge or Astley.

The Doctor also took a crucial catch in the last over to dismiss one of their returning tonkers. They eventually needed 12 to win off the last over and then 6 off the last ball; but Coco hit the stumps.

Cheers to EUSCC for their hospitality.