Thumping win for 2s...

...not good enough for many!

Last week I began by asking whether it was one of those days, today proved beyond doubt that it was - I won't deny that Scotland vs England did us a favour, nonethless this was a thumping win versus top of the league DAFS.

The day started badly for the skip, waking at 11.40am and thinking sh!t, we are playing at home and I have the keys for changing rooms, clubhouse, lockup etc etc - ah well, I no longer have to worry about that.
Thankfully a French shower and taxi meant that we started the game on time without too many realising how panicky (and smelly) skip was. The day then took a turn for the worse when Darren Kidd (DAFs skipper) won the toss. Thankfully he had drunk more than me the night before and decided to bowl (can only assume he wanted to get his head together before destroying our bowling, as he did later on!). HX skip was delighted with this 'til he realised Nipun was missing. Thankfully a conversation the weekend before was recalled so Amjid and Norrie opened the batting, with everyone dropping a place down the order, bar Smudger and Gerrry, whilst awaiting the arrival of Nipun.

The openers got us off to a good start, scoring 25 off the first 4 overs, unfortunately (for DAFs) both were out soon afterwards, LBW. Thankfullly Nipun had arrived at this point still glowing following his Gregg's breakfast by way of celebration on getting a new job with RBS - nice one mate - he even splashed out by having ketchup with his pasty! Still on a high he strolled out to join JB (aka Golden Arm) with the score on 31 for 2. 146 runs later JB was replaced by Andy Quinn (to cut a long story short, Nipun, and JB in particular, feasted on their flesh), with JB having made 74 (would have been a ton had he worked out how to hit a ball pitched outside leg - nets on Wednesday for you mate!). Andy Q was then served a couple of pies to get him going, which he duly despatched, carrying on his fine form from the week before - Nipun was heard to apologise for not offering any ketchup, having had it all earlier with his Gregg's pasty and Smudger was cursing under his breath for having dropped Andy from his fantasy team). Nipun went eventually for 84 (would have been a ton had he arrived on time to open!) with the score on 229 after 41 overs.

Skip and Andy Q then put on 41 in 4 overs to drive the point home to the oppos - i.e. we were wanting to, and going to, win this one! - we finished on 270 for 4. Apologies to Jack Jones (debut) and Mahmood for not getting a bat (they were next in) - it was just one of those days.

Amjid 6
Norrie 18
JB 74
Nipun 84
Andy Q 36 n.o.
Skip 26 n.o.
Jack J dnb
Mahmood dnb
Scott R dnb
Smudger dnb
Gerry dnb

Having had a good tea and confident of defending a rate of more than 6 an over we took to the field and gave Darren (the destroyer, too strong for your own good) Kidd an early life off the first ball. Darren then took a huge liking to our opening bowlers so that DAFs were 59 for none off 5 (beating the Stirling II's effort from the week before of 49 for none after 5 - which was painful enough!) and then 81 for none after 10. Thankfully by this point skip had sobbered up and had decided to take the pace off the ball (before you ask, no, I didn't bring on Norrie) with Smudger and JB - which worked an absolute treat, even if I do say so myself! However, it was only a 'treat' once Jack Jones took a stunning catch to get rid of Dave Kidd, running back, arching and twisting his back, diving at point - welcome to the club Jack, I hope you stay.

Suddenly HX's spirits were up and we were bowling and fielding like demons - obviously having left the bad stuff at Stirling the week before, and then some! Smudger from the Ferry road end and JB from the ....not sure, changing room/clubhouse/castle/Arthur's seat end? really tied the DAFs down so that after 20 overs they were at 120 but 3 down, and then 135 for 6 after 25 overs. During this period we took some magic and memorable catches. Gerry impersonating a juggler at 1st slip before getting bored and eventuallly (4th attempt I think) deciding to take the ball home with him; Nipun running in and trying to flag the Gregg's van as it went past Arbo on the ferry road before realising there was a dark red, and very hard, object/ball coming his way - thankfully he got his hands up and it stuck, otherwise he would have been wearing it - Rudolph would have been proud, but we never got to know, thankfully!

 Gerry, 'get me a gin', Lohan then came on and the wickets kept falling. Norrie then got in on the act as did Amjid. We bowled them out for 195. A top effort by the whole team, be it the wicket keeper, fine leg, mid wicket etc.

Amjid 6.2 over 2 for 42
Norrie 9 overs 2 for 59
Smudger 9 overs 3 for 39
Golden Arm 9 overs 2 for 24
Gerry (hope your headache is ok/gone and gig been great) 6 overs 1 for 27.

It was great to see all the bowlers taking wickets - first time this year, I think. This was a top effort by a top bunch of guys. I'm sorry that some of you didn't get more of a game, it was just one of those days. Credit to MUFs for sticking around for beer and banter after the game - the game was played in good spirit throughout and it is always a pleasue to play them...and win!!

I would like to thank everyone that has played for the 2s over the past 2 1/2 years. It has been a great privilege and I wish the next skipper well. Whoever it is, I will support you all the way. As an aside, this is a team game, and I have tried to give people a game, I'm sorry that this hasn't been good enough for some or put some noses out of joint. Having said that, the 2s really do have the makings of a team, and on more than several occasions this year you boys have shown top top top flair, quality, effort, commitment, enthusiasm - and believe it or not, skill (I'm going soft!) - and brought a lot of smiles to my face. Well done guys. I'm sorry that others think that I do not have the right attitude or best wishes of the club at heart.

Bring on, and long live, the Cross!

Yours, gutted by egos and undermined, Ziggy.

PS at least I no longer have to go to selection or arrive early at Arbo on a Saturday!