Belter Skelter - Former Crosser Malik helps Tranent secure win

After a series of downpours in the Capital, tonight's T20 clash with Tranent was in doubt not only right until the opening delivery, but almost throughout the whole clash, which was reduced to a 16 overs fixture.

The tourists contained several well-kent faces, indeed, it almost resembled a Holy Cross Select with the Brothers Russell, Josey, McIntosh, Broonster (albeit pending Dougie's arrival) and former Crosser Suli Malik all taking part.



Cross batted first, hoping to get some runs on the board before the rain appeared. After a positive opening partnership from Vikram and Shifty got sidetracked by the rain, Vikram retired (38) to allow Kiwi Matt the chance to get his first taste of Arbo.

With all the panache and footwork of Bambi on Ice, the man from Napier (no, not the Uni!) was slipping and a sliding to his early downfall, skittled by Craigmile for a single.



Michael from the Rugby Club was in at 4 and hung around until another shower - this time forcing the players to the huts.



By this time, Shifty was suggesting CoCo had lost his marbles and he sent Sandy out to keep Michael company. Sadly, this partnership didn't last long at the somewhat soggy and squidgy crease and both headed back to the portacabins within minutes, Michael run out for a duck and Sandy tempted by a fine delivery from Dougie which he sliced it to Craigmile, adding 4 to the total.



Big Andy Killey and Nippun contributed the equivalent of the quantity of slices of bread to make a sandwich - two a piece - and the incumbent Rent Boy Graham was skittled for a duck - highly appropriate given the conditions!



Weatherhead and Malik opened for the Belters. The former had trouble keeping his feet in the quagmire and was eventually undone by a somewhat perverse piece of bowling from Pope - in Town for the Festival - which saw the ball splodge in the mud, hit the bat, squidge and slip onto the base of the stumps and tip the bails. All part of the technique apparently...



Sadly, that was to be the only Cross success, with Malik going on to make 34 before giving way to Craigmile who joined Josey to set up a victory with an over to spare.



Credit to all the players who stuck at it, and to Bimbo for turning up. And a big thanks to Charlie for his understanding when he sees the pics of the wicket....

All the pics now online at Broonster's Facebook