Sunday, 29 July 2012

Smudger's 2x30th In Photos

Father of the club
Smujinder 'Smudger' Smudgerjee celebrated graduation from the famous Holy Cross Youth Academy as he turned 3x20 at Arboretum Road's infamous Green Room Nightspot on Saturday night.

News had reached the capital that Lawrie's Third Army had defeated a Largo battalion in a stirring encounter at St Andrews in the only Cross game to reach a conclusion. Whilst Twitter reported that El Presidente had been hitting big 6's, there was also relief that after losing his only pair of cricket trousers, Coco had been forced to purchase a new pair and was therefore not playing in his golden budgie smugglers. It'd been mischievously suggested that his missing breeks had simply got up and scarpered of their own accord!!!

Golden Balls McGill back in '69
The 1st XI had returned early from Fettes after thrashing Grange 2's 204-0 in a one-sided affair where it would probably be fairer to mention that Grange never really got started in their innings. The 2's game, at the Fortress itself, also fell victim to this cantankerous jet stream silly bother we've been enduring of late. This ensured a prompt start to the binge drinking for both teams.

The distance of the 3's from the birthday shenanigans meant the party would have to wait for the dazzling social racontuerism of Messrs McGill & Robertson. In the meantime the legendary anecdotes were provided by the hippest swinger in the club, Mr G Lohan. The highlight was the discovery that "Paxman was my fag". Those of us educated by the council dared not ask for a layman's translation.

One of the things Gerry has smoked???
The 3's began to arrive back in instalments, generally in order of virility (I'll leave it to others to decide in which order). Their arrivals were interspersed with appearances by Honorary Legends such as Cartwright (senior) and Mair (available for selection, but not selected!!!).

Shifty - 5for in a break from filming
Eventually El Presidente and Coco joined proceedings and the real BS could begin. President Maradona was able to declare "this is finally the club I wished it to become" as young Gaware lit the presidential roll-up completely unrequested. It was made obvious that the drink was taking effect when Zggy Cydzk didn't even attempt to pronounce the name of a fellow cricketer - "that whotsisname" - also sporting a Polski surname.

It was also my pleasure (totally wasn't) to reunite McGill with his errant trews. They had been discovered earlier by poor Raja who had heard a low humming noise emitting from deep within his cricket bag. They had to be extracted at arms length and placed in a sealed container before immaturely falling into my possession as Dougie declared 'last bag packed has to take them', placing me at a distinct disadvantage being the only bag left unpacked.

All that remains to be divulged is this rather fetching snap taken anonymously at the end of the evening. Should any Smudger offspring be reading, I'd recommend going no further, or at the very least, scrolling down very slowly...




One for Mrs Smudger

Crisis taIks

Word has reached me that two Crossers have become so concerned abut HX's recent run of poor results/ performances that they will be meeting up in order to put together an action plan

Without naming the two individuals, it is likely that 'standards' and the bowling of bouncers at 15-year-olds may crop up

Pres leads the way as thirds lift gloom

Saturday scores digest:

1sts (at Fettes College):

Holy Cross 204 for 7 in 50 overs.
(S McOscar 54, D. Russell 45*, K. Fraser 39)
Grange 2 0 for 0 in 0 overs.
No result - Abandoned due to heavy rain shower.

scorecard here

2nds (at Arbo)

Watsonians 172.
Holy Cross 33 for 1 off 10.
No result -  Abandoned due to (the same) heavy rain shower.

3rds (at St Andrews)

WON!!!
Full details to follow on this very unlikely event.
MOM performance from the Pres...

Friday, 27 July 2012

League Weekend 14 and the Week Ahead

This Saturday's scheduled fixtures -
  • 1sts vs Grange 2nds, away.
  • 2nds vs Watsonians 3rds, at Arbo.
  • 3rds vs Largo 3rds, (far, far) away at St Andrews.
Don't forget, come rain or shine, Saturday night is Smudger Night in the Green Room, by Presidential command, so come along to celebrate Colin's 60th in the company of Crossers, past and present.

All the Presidents Cups

Unfortunately, we were just beaten by Edinburgh in the Presidents Trophy quarter final last night. On a more positive note, the Presidents Plate semi-final vs Largo is confirmed for Sunday 5th August, at Largo.

Monday, 23 July 2012

No More Agony on The Cross


I have detected in recent posts unmistakeable traces of pessimism from certain regular contributors (you know who I’m looking at, ex-captains of the Firsts).  Maybe it’s the weather.

Now, I may have been known in the past to exhibit a certain amount of, shall we say, realism when it comes to our combined potential as athletes.  However the time has come to reiterate that the quintessential character of The Cross is both exquisite pain and ultimate victory – to be both crap and brilliant in the same moment.

As if to prove this seminal point, I intend to mark a serial improvement in the weather by making my comeback for the club this weekend in the Thirds, where I hope my command of eight functional digits will not embarrass my team-mates.  (When my great-grandfather died he only had five fingers, but then he worked in a sawmill, which I would reckon was a piece of cake compared to standing up to Jeremy Preece).

So, to banish the Blues and lift our soggy morale, as well as to put some overdue money behind the bar, this Saturday will be a full-on Arbo night regardless of what the weather may bring.  Not only will we be celebrating the hitherto unrealised health and fertility benefits of “Clan” brand tobacco, but I will be selling copies of the attached photograph to remind you that success isn’t everything.  I hope to see all present and former captains in attendance, with their happy hats on.  Got it?

Sunday, 22 July 2012

Sifting Through The Smouldering Embers.


The Tears

In Affectionate Remembrance
of
Holy Cross Cricket
which died at Fortress Arboretum
on
21st July 2012
Deeply lamented by a large circle of Sorrowing
Friends, Acquaintances & Safety Committee members
R.I.P.
N.B. The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Grange Loan


The Pain