The Write-y Quinn

With legendary reporter-cum-controversialist KF otherwise engaged composing unfeasibly tricky quizzes, the editorial board has sought long and hard for a new Chief Test Cricket Correspondent.

We are delighted to have secured, or at least borrowed, the services of Mr Andrew Quinn. Andy is well known at Arbo as our foremost last-day-of-the-season specialist and one of the few men ever to challenge the Ellises for the title of Nicest Crosser. But few are aware of his literary talents or of his ill-fated trip Down Under for the 2006-7 tour.

Anyway, here's Andy's account of the early stages of the First Test.

ESCA News

The ESCA agm was held last night. Here are the highlights from a Cross (and, after a 2 hour plus meeting, slightly cross) perspective.

• Points - In an attempt to produce a clearer contrast between winning and losing and to eliminate the anomaly of the sixth bowling bonus point which is only available to the side batting second (think about it), only five bowling and five batting bonus points will be available to the losing side next season. The first batting bonus point will come at 100 in a 50 over game, 90 in a 45 over game and 70 in a 40 over game. Bowling bonus points will be awarded for taking the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th wickets.
• Ties - No bonus points will be awarded and each side will get 15 points.
• Abandoned games - A version of Duckworth Lewis was overwhelmingly approved for use in abandoned games where at least 20 overs of the second innings have been completed. Please don't ask me to explain. Captains will be issued with booklets.
• Division 1 news - As a consequence of SNCL restructuring, Division 1 will start a week earlier than the rest of the League on Saturday 23rd April, unless clubs agree to postpone their first fixture to a Sunday in the first half of the season. The Committee will consult clubs about the introduction of fielding circles/restrictions in Division 1. Don't blame me, I voted against it. If we have to emulate the IPL I'd prefer to start with podium dancers.
• Division 8 news - Last season there were fifteen teams in Division 8. Following Edinburgh Accies' promotion to the National League and the withdrawal of Dunnikier and Townhill from higher divisions during last season, twelve teams were left in Division 8. However, last night, as expected, four new teams were admitted to the Leagues: Broomhall 3rds (likely to play at the Dalgety Bay sports centre), Edinburgh South 3rds (likely to play at the Meadows), Stirling County 4ths and Tranent. This left 16 teams "below Division 7". The Committee asked representatives of the 16 clubs to indicate whether they preferred a single large Division 8; a 10-team Division 8 with a new 6-team Division 9; or two divisions of 8 teams each. A 16-team Division 8 was approved by one vote. I know this is not the outcome the 3rds were hoping for, but it does at least mean we'll get to play against our old friends from Tranent and, possibly, visit Stirling's New Williamfield ground, which is said to be magnificent.
• Fair Play - Four unnamed clubs performed particularly badly in the Fair Play voting and will be spoken to by the Committee. Please don't speculate about their identities in any Comments on this post.
• Sponsorship - Baillie Gifford's sponsorship of the East League has been increased and extended to cover seasons 2010, 2011 and 2012.

KF's Quiz Night Cometh

If you write it they shall come, and so they shall, to KF's Quiz Night on Friday 19th.

KF has been locked safely up since the end of season wracking his brain and studying ancient scriptures to find a set of questions challenging enough for the great minds of the Cross.

Bar opens at 7. Quiz starts when KF gets there.

His instructions are thus:

Test your brain against McGill (or headbutt him, whatever is easiest)

Max 5 players per team, singletons welcome

7pm for 7.30 start, (purely aspirational bearing in mind the identity of the quizmaster)

Not just for HX players, bring mates, femmes etc

Random, gruelling, quirky and inventive rounds

Prize/entry fee tbc

All answers verified by Wikipedia

Quizmasters word is final

See you all there?!

KF's Drinking Games

[from KF] Here is a little filler in the form of a quiz to keep us familiar with the drinking habits of Crossers as the temperature outside drops. I've listed the favourite tipple of ten HX players, see if you can guess who would make the order with Raimondo Gillian (answers to follow in the comments box). This is a flavour of the level of questions to be expected if and when there is ever a Holy Cross Quiz Night.

*Elixir of finest Lancashire Cranberry, Jojoba & Tea Tree

*One Jug

*Two Jugs

*1.9 pints of Buckfast

*One yard of Ale

*Castrol GTX

*One Fairplay Award-full of Port

*A pint of Mick Jagger

*A Bacon Roll & a Pint of Irn Bru

and finally, the one you've all been waiting for

*Pint of 80, half a cider, bottle of wine, a wee double double of whisky and a box of matches

Crosser is 'Test match quality'

A veteran Crosser has has been described as being of 'Test match quality' by another Edinburgh-based cricket blog..

http://fantasybob.blogspot.com/2010/10/fab-four.html

but for some reason he didn't get selected for this (not even the 2nd XI! - but then, neither did his contemporary, Dr Grace):

http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/482936.html

Holy Cross Cricket Glossary (part 1)

Playing for the Cross can be a confusing experience: things are not always what they seem. For new and old Crossers alike, a glossary explaining commonly used euphemisms phrases may prove useful. The composition of the glossary is currently in its early stages and so would benefit from the input of the Cross membership.

• “Thanks for now” - you might get another spell-but after that dross, not today.

• “Unlucky, Good effort” - a drop

• "Good finish" - the last two were ok but a shame about the three pies that you began the over with.

• “You deserved that” - yes but not with that ball, Ian.

• “Unlucky, it did keep a bit low” - yes but why the hell were you trying to pull a good length ball on off stump, Smudger.

• “Good areas” - no pace, no swing, no threat-but at least you pitched somewhere near where it should be.

• “A bit more flight” - give him one he can really smack.

• “Good chase” - but why couldn’t you simply have stopped it instead of letting it go under you, necessitating the 50 yard chase and three unnecessary runs.

• “Good backing-up” - you did well to cover a shy at the stumps that was 10 yards off target.

• “Good arm” - 10 yards wide of/over the keeper’s head

• “Unlucky, those chances either stick or they don’t” - they never seem to stick with you.

• “Sorry, I thought there was two there” - I knew I could make it back at least.

• “Sorry, I thought there was one there” - yes but not for you Richard.

• "good pick up Coco!" - Shame you weren't as adept at picking the ball up as picking up your lighted fag.

Mad Man Attempts Dangerous Stunt

The image above is not a product of photoshopping; this man really is just about to attempt to drive a powerful petrol-driven mower into the boot of his car!

We have not been permitted to show further photos or indicate whether the attempt was successful - in order that this respected blog is not seen to be encouraging such reckless behaviour.