It was a funny day. Perhaps only two or three batsmen ever looked completely comfortable all afternoon, yet nearly 450 runs were scored, at nearly 5 an over, and only 12 wickets fell, four of them in a single over.
The key to Penicuik's total of 230 for 7 was two huge stands: 99 for the second wicket between Steve Thomson (64) and Ross Liddle (38) and 101 for the fourth between David Adams (36) and Cameron Crawford (60). Thomson's was a canny, intelligent innings, Crawford's brutal and the 'cuik scored at 6.5 an over after drinks and nearly 10 an over off the last five.
We made and missed a few half and quarter chances (and one dolly), but our attack was a little out of sorts. Gerry was still struggling with a yoga injury (Lord of the Dance pose? Plank?) and managed only three overs. Dave Sharpe, a late call-up for his once-every-seven-years game for the 2s, bowled valiantly. But only Vikram (9-1-24-4) really got on top of the batsmen. Indeed he was in such fine fettle that his first burst was a full five overs rather than the usual four. Just as against Marchmont the 45th over yielded two bowling points - this time four wickets fell as Vik followed a BAF run-out with three wickets in the last four balls.
BAF nicked off in the first over to Crawford (9-2-35-2) and JB (54) and Ziggy (66) set about rebuilding in a stand of 85. JB in particular rode his luck early on, but when he was out, trying to push on, in the 23rd over, a platform of sorts had been built, even if we now needed to accelerate as dramatically as 'cuik had done earlier. With Ziggy becoming a little becalmed, Tom (38) looked most likely to provide an innings to match Crawford's. But by the time he was bowled by Liddle (9-2-43-2) in the 38th, the required run rate had mounted to double digits and we needed some Vik fireworks.
Against some disciplined bowling (special mention here to young Murray: 7-0-27-0) and a deep-set field, that never quite happened - indeed, most uncharacteristically, there wasn't a single boundary in Vik's 20 not out. We finished on 211 for 5. Nine points pretty well-earned and a big improvement on the first game against the Kirkhill men, but perhaps the main impression left behind is that with a little more self-confidence this game could have been won.
Thanks to Penicuik for another game played in good spirits and with plenty of good chat. We hope to see you again next season.
Friday, 24 July 2015
Thursday, 23 July 2015
League Weekend 14 and the Week Ahead
Saturday's fixtures -
- 1sts vs Grange 2nds at Arbo, noon start.
- 2nds vs Glenrothes 2nds, away.
- 3rds vs RHC 3rds, away at the Meadows.
- Tuesday, friendly vs Maccabi at Arbo.
Midweek Rearrangement
The evening friendly at Roseburn against Murrayfield-DAFS has had to be moved again. It will now be played on Tuesday 11th August.
Friday, 17 July 2015
Smells Like Team Spirit. League Leaders Beat 2s Again.
I can hardly summon the energy to write this. It's not because we lost, honest - at Holy Cross I hope we sing even when we're not winning. But the sheer quantity of cricket this summer (12 weeks, 11 games, 10 match reports - I was away for the Glenrothes humping) is wearing me out.
And not just physically. In a proper season with a normal number of rain-offs I can trot out my tired puns on the opposition's names once and trust that my tiny readership will have forgotten them by the time they appear again next season and that promotion and relegation will have provided me with new victims.
But this year we're playing teams a second time and the puns resemble someone who's promised to do a sit-up every time Michael asks a question on a Saturday or Vikram self-diagnoses a new injury - not so much tired as shaking uncontrollably with exhaustion.
Anyway, this week was the return game against Marchmont. Smudge won the toss and, with Vik initially reluctant to bowl, he (9-0-37-2) and Gerry (9-1-23-1) opened up. Eleven overs later Marchmont were 38 for 3, but that was about as good as it got for us as first Healy (26) and then Grainger (53) joined Ramachandra (63). Remarkably Chips' half-century was his first in League cricket - and a very good one it was. Ramachandra, by contrast, rode his luck hard and while our catching was generally decent, especially Mike Nevin's three, some important half-chances were missed. Shifty (7-0-34-5) took three wickets in the last over to secure maximum bowling points and Marchmont finished on 210 for 9.
Our reply never really got going. Euan (22) and Ziggy picked out fielders with confident shots and JB was strangled down the leg side. Vik (34) was again the pick of the batsmen scoring at nearly a run a ball and Gerry and Smudge finished the game with the bat as well as they had begun it with the ball to snatch an extra batting point. 136 all out in the 44th and a rather generous 8 points.
At Arbo we had been largely undone by Mansoor's spin. This time the leading bowler was Simon Marr (9-2-20-3) and Mansoor, along with six others of the nine (yes, nine) bowlers, had to be content with a lone wicket. That may give a clue as to why Marchmont are unbeaten this season. Unlike many of the sides I've seen run away with divisions over the years, this doesn't seem to be a case of two or three dominant players dragging their team mates along for the ride. Rather there's plenty of good, stuffy strength in depth, a real team. Good luck to them for the rest of the season.
And not just physically. In a proper season with a normal number of rain-offs I can trot out my tired puns on the opposition's names once and trust that my tiny readership will have forgotten them by the time they appear again next season and that promotion and relegation will have provided me with new victims.
But this year we're playing teams a second time and the puns resemble someone who's promised to do a sit-up every time Michael asks a question on a Saturday or Vikram self-diagnoses a new injury - not so much tired as shaking uncontrollably with exhaustion.
 |
| Marchmont huddle as the HX openers look on unimpressed. |
Anyway, this week was the return game against Marchmont. Smudge won the toss and, with Vik initially reluctant to bowl, he (9-0-37-2) and Gerry (9-1-23-1) opened up. Eleven overs later Marchmont were 38 for 3, but that was about as good as it got for us as first Healy (26) and then Grainger (53) joined Ramachandra (63). Remarkably Chips' half-century was his first in League cricket - and a very good one it was. Ramachandra, by contrast, rode his luck hard and while our catching was generally decent, especially Mike Nevin's three, some important half-chances were missed. Shifty (7-0-34-5) took three wickets in the last over to secure maximum bowling points and Marchmont finished on 210 for 9.
Our reply never really got going. Euan (22) and Ziggy picked out fielders with confident shots and JB was strangled down the leg side. Vik (34) was again the pick of the batsmen scoring at nearly a run a ball and Gerry and Smudge finished the game with the bat as well as they had begun it with the ball to snatch an extra batting point. 136 all out in the 44th and a rather generous 8 points.
At Arbo we had been largely undone by Mansoor's spin. This time the leading bowler was Simon Marr (9-2-20-3) and Mansoor, along with six others of the nine (yes, nine) bowlers, had to be content with a lone wicket. That may give a clue as to why Marchmont are unbeaten this season. Unlike many of the sides I've seen run away with divisions over the years, this doesn't seem to be a case of two or three dominant players dragging their team mates along for the ride. Rather there's plenty of good, stuffy strength in depth, a real team. Good luck to them for the rest of the season.
Thursday, 16 July 2015
League Weekend 13 and the Week Ahead
Saturday's fixtures -
Midweek -
- 1sts vs Glenrothes, away.
- 2nds vs Penicuik 2nds at Arbo.
- 3rds vs Morton 3rds, at home on the Inverleith Park arti.
Midweek -
- Wednesday, Parks Trophy final vs Murrayfield-DAFS at Newfield.
- Thursday, friendly vs SMRH Trojans at Arbo.
Parks Trophy semi-final vs Boroughmuir
A batting masterclass from Zia saw Holy Cross progress to the final of the Parks Trophy last night at Meggetland.
Losing the toss, we were asked to field which didn't go so well. It was a lacklustre effort, with a couple of dropped catches and a number of misfields. Boroughmuir were swinging at everything and made it through to 124-8 off their 20.
Kashif with the pick of the figures 2-15 off 4!
We got off to a flyer, with myself hitting the first ball for 4. Then I managed to edge a ball on to my pads, then on to leg stump.
A couple of overs later, Raja fell to a bizarre caught and bowled. He smashed a straight drive on the up and Zia didn't have time to move, the ball hitting him on the arm and ricocheted up for the bowler to take an easy catch. We were in trouble 2-21 in the 4th over.
Owais then joined Zia at the wicket and steadily built an impressive partnership. Zia dominated, however Owais scored a run a ball 28*, including hitting a 6 to finish the game! Zia ended on 81* off only 60 balls and the pair put on 104!
In the end a comfortable victory with 2 overs and 8 wickets in hand.
MDAFS await us in the final on Wednesday 22nd.
Losing the toss, we were asked to field which didn't go so well. It was a lacklustre effort, with a couple of dropped catches and a number of misfields. Boroughmuir were swinging at everything and made it through to 124-8 off their 20.
Kashif with the pick of the figures 2-15 off 4!
We got off to a flyer, with myself hitting the first ball for 4. Then I managed to edge a ball on to my pads, then on to leg stump.
A couple of overs later, Raja fell to a bizarre caught and bowled. He smashed a straight drive on the up and Zia didn't have time to move, the ball hitting him on the arm and ricocheted up for the bowler to take an easy catch. We were in trouble 2-21 in the 4th over.
Owais then joined Zia at the wicket and steadily built an impressive partnership. Zia dominated, however Owais scored a run a ball 28*, including hitting a 6 to finish the game! Zia ended on 81* off only 60 balls and the pair put on 104!
In the end a comfortable victory with 2 overs and 8 wickets in hand.
MDAFS await us in the final on Wednesday 22nd.
Saturday, 11 July 2015
Two wins, twos lose. Week 12 Round-up
As Meatloaf once proclaimed, two out of three ain’t bad.
Holy Cross were in tune with the hairy rocker as the 1s and 3s secured maximum points whilst the 2s went down but not without a fight.
At Fortress Arbo, the 1s defeated Penicuik by 110 runs. A sterling performance with the bat saw Si’s men amass an unbeatable 232-5 including a fine innings from Zia, with the tourists making 122 at a muggy Arbo.
Meanwhile, at Cavalry Park, the 2s lost out to their Marchmont counterparts. The hosts lost the toss and batted first, reaching 210-9 at tea, with Shifty taking a ‘Michelle’ and Mike Nevin making a trio of catches. Unfortunately the league leaders' total was too rich for the Cross who reached 136 in response.
Whilst at Inverleith Park, the 3s won in emphatic style. Glenrothes 4s, who had done a remarkable job in getting together an XI at all, won the toss and elected to bat. However they may have regretted that decision early in proceedings as they staggered to 27-6 before adding just two more runs to complete their total - Dom taking a second 5-fer in as many weeks. A quick turnaround was in order and it took just 6.5 overs to surpass the Fifers total, allowing the lads to head up to Arbo for nets and cheer on the 1s to victory.
A big thanks to all Crossers who contributed via twitter during the day for the above.
Holy Cross were in tune with the hairy rocker as the 1s and 3s secured maximum points whilst the 2s went down but not without a fight.
At Fortress Arbo, the 1s defeated Penicuik by 110 runs. A sterling performance with the bat saw Si’s men amass an unbeatable 232-5 including a fine innings from Zia, with the tourists making 122 at a muggy Arbo.
Meanwhile, at Cavalry Park, the 2s lost out to their Marchmont counterparts. The hosts lost the toss and batted first, reaching 210-9 at tea, with Shifty taking a ‘Michelle’ and Mike Nevin making a trio of catches. Unfortunately the league leaders' total was too rich for the Cross who reached 136 in response.
Whilst at Inverleith Park, the 3s won in emphatic style. Glenrothes 4s, who had done a remarkable job in getting together an XI at all, won the toss and elected to bat. However they may have regretted that decision early in proceedings as they staggered to 27-6 before adding just two more runs to complete their total - Dom taking a second 5-fer in as many weeks. A quick turnaround was in order and it took just 6.5 overs to surpass the Fifers total, allowing the lads to head up to Arbo for nets and cheer on the 1s to victory.
A big thanks to all Crossers who contributed via twitter during the day for the above.
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