Week 3 Roundup and the Week Ahead

Despite 42 from Owais and 26 from Ben (or Ben R as we must now call him), the 1st's 113 all out always looked a bit light at Arbo last Saturday. Still they fought hard and St Boswells needed a slice of luck or three to reach the target with 6 wickets and a few overs to spare.

The 2nds had a more successful time at Lewisvale against Musselburgh 2nds who unexpectedly featured two ex-Crossers, Matt Boyd and Josie Ray, who had been in the Preston Village squad as recently as Thursday lunchtime. Matt (22) looked in good nick until he got a good nick for the first of three excellent catches for Tom Jordan, who was standing up to all the bowlers except Vik.

Vik bowled superbly for the second week running but somehow again failed to take a wicket. Keith, who bowled almost as well as Vik, and Jon, who didn't, both took three and Elmo two as Muss were all out for 115, with the mainstay being Rod Mackenzie's 33.

Despite a good spell from Matt, we reached our target relatively comfortably, with five wickets down, largely thanks to 36 from Tom and 26* from our new Chief Recruiting Officer, Ben Leslie (Ben L for future reference).

Should tomorrow's grim weather forecast prove wrong, the 1sts head to Fauldhouse while the 2nds entertain Tranent & Preston Village 3rds, the cricket team formerly known as Tranent 2nds.

Mixed fortunes for the Cross.

Given that it was a sunny afternoon I decided to wander down and see how the Cross were getting on. I was impressed by the young athletes flinging themselves around the park...but I soon moved on from The Grange and arrived at Arbo.

There, a familiar looking 2nd XI were in confident mood having bowled out Glenrothes 3rds for 103. Despite arriving late (forcing Michael to sub field) Smudger picked up 5 wickets.

I nipped over to Inverleith to catch the final 7 balls of the match.. The firsts had recovered from 35/6 thanks to a decent partnership between Owais and Robin but 84 was never likely to test SMRH 2's (especially on a true artificial pitch..)-they surpassed HX's total in just under 20 overs. Disappointing after last week's good start to the season.

Back to Arbo. Coastal Ken had been dismissed (a lengthy duck) but Ziggy (47no) and JB (35no) knocked off the runs with relative ease (even if Jon did receive a couple of let-offs). Confidence building win for the twos.

Post match drinks in the Arbo sun made me think I'd stepped through a wormhole...same people*, same view... same chat..
*in fairness there were a few new faces, which is encouraging to see.

But where is McGILL?????

Week 1 Round-up and the Week Ahead

Well, 2016 was tough, but we're back. Admittedly with two Saturday sides rather than three, and in lower divisions than last year, but also with plenty of new players and some reason to hope that better times are ahead.

Raja's 1sts started their League season last Saturday with a commanding win over Drummond-Trinity at Arbo in Division 2. The skipper rather stole the show with a ton and three wickets, but he only just edged Ben Reiss, who took six wickets, for Man of the Match.

Nipun's 2nds were in the game for a long time at Livingston in Division 6 until a big sixth wicket stand for our hosts closed the game out.

On Tuesday night in the Parks Trophy first round Raja and Bilal set up a big total which proved a few too many for Isobar. We face Currie & Balerno in the next round, again at Arbo.

In other news, otherwise known as a potential availability crisis, Candlo got engaged and Broon finally got elected.

And so on to this week's fixtures -

• Saturday: 1sts vs SMRH 2nds, (not very far) Away.
• Saturday: 2nds vs Glenrothes 3rds at Arbo.
• Tuesday evening - friendly vs Tom Young's XI/XIV at Arbo. Spots still available, Contact JB.

A New Dinasty...

Mahmood Din has taken over the role of club President.
Recruitment will be the club's overriding priority as HX aim to 
recover from a disastrous 2016.