Parks Trophy comes home to Fortress Arbo

Dougie Russell hit the winning boundary at New Field on Wednesday night to give Holy Cross a 5 wicket win over Murrayfield Dafs in the final of the Parks Trophy.

After the last ball heartache at Myreside at the weekend, the 11 Men of Holy Cross produced a display of sheer bouncebackability (always wanted to type that in a report!) skittling their opponents out for 72.

MDafs took the the crease first and an early breakthrough saw Bimbo deliver and Euan taking the catch.

It was good to see young Gavin Morcom down watching. He was commenting about how he hadn't been able to make it down much this season due to a number of excuses valid reasons. It showed. A well placed MDafs strike was heading to the boundary with a Crosser giving chase. "Is that Norrie chasing that ball?" he enquired. "Erm, no Gav, it was Vikram", I replied. "Ahh, they are about the same height, I just thought it was him", he continued....

On with the show. A Bimbo bullet saw an unfortunate batsman knock the ball onto his stumps, then a rush of blood - not once, but twice in consecutive deliveries, saw an ever eager MDafs batsman run up the track but on his second excursion, he simply kept on running back to the sheds.

Charlie, the Man of the Match, got in on the action in the 8th over. His delivery saw Ellis Jnr appeal for an LBW before the ball dislodged the bails! 37-4.

Dougie was now in on the act, his opening delivery of the 9th saw another LBW shout and the Umpire duly obliged by lifting a solitary digit in agreement.

Ellis picked up another three wickets in quick succession with the help of EC Smith, once with a catch and the other with a throw of sublime accuracy for a run out and also a catch by KF out on the ropes. 58-8.

Shannon took the varnish off the edge of the bat of batsman No.9 and he headed back to the sheds and he wasn't to feel alone for along as Shannon ended the MDafs line up with a wicket that saw KF swoop like a seagull on chips to take the catch. 72 All Out.

A beautiful night for cricket in the Capital under the watchful eye of Edinburgh Castle, saw KF and Spickers head to the middle to kick off the Crossers stint.

Bimbo models the new HX Polo Shirts

It was all going well for the first over or so before Spickers was back in the sheds after nicking the ball into the hands of the energetic keeper. 9-1.

KF & Charlie were working in tandem and looked as if they were having fun, knocking off the odd cheeky run or two here and there, taking the score to 43 before KF was trapped LBW.

Charlie was missing Keith and he was despatched shortly afterwards. A swing and a miss was his un-doing. 49-3 and perhaps a bit of squeaky-bum time about to creep in...

Vikram took control and starting playing some delicate strokes, a wagon wheel of culture, but he lost his partner in crime C Smith who trudged off in disbelief after a LBW call from the Umps.

Vikram got an inside edge to take the ball onto his stumps in the 17th and it was 60-5, Cross just 13 away from winning the trophy.

Alas, it was Cross Legend Dougie Russell who hit the final runs - and in some style with a lovely boundary - and the Trophy made the very small trip up the road to Fortess Arbo.

The 2011 Parks Trophy Winners - Holy Cross CC

Pictures from the game to follow soon....

KF and Shanton reign in the sun

On the best day of the year so far the 1sts travelled to Roseburn to meet our old friends the Mufs. With the return fixture called off in April and the Mufs going well on their return to the top flight there was keen interest in the fixture, hence our near full strength squad. Only the skipper was missing so KF returned from injury and Ziggy came in to strengthen the batting on a usually bowler friendly Roseburn deck.

Spickers had the honour of again leading the team seeking to continue a good run of wins. The Cross spy had reported a green top awaiting us so it was of little consequence when the Mufs skip put us in to bat. Owais and KF opened up with KF playing a foil to Owais' swashbuckling start. One particularly large 6 had the unfortunate consequence of scattering a bevvy of bikini clad sunbathing wenches camped out at the long leg boundary. After a good start it was a shame when Owais fell in the 30's but KF picked up where he left of. Supported by CJE (25) and CA, KF went on to make a classy 50 odd. As we all know KF is a modest fellow, too modest to write a match report that he top scored in, but he truly is a great of the game, a legend no less.

After KF and CA fell, Shanners and Ziggy made a few handy runs with Dougster adding quite a few at the end. Mufs bowled well in the midsummer heat and runs aren't easy to come by at Roseburn so it was pleasing to see the Cross batsman put the odd bad ball away and run well for 2's. Captain Spickers reckoned 170 would be dependable and 200 plenty, so to wind up on 196 for 8 was a good effort.

After tea and learning of the 3's capitulation Spickers reminded us how poor the fielding had been midweek and we needed to get amongst the Muffs right from start. A great start from Robin had Muffs 2 down with Shanners keeping it tight from the other end and quite quickly the run rate began to creep up. Muffs did threaten from time to time with Mohamed striking some good straight drives and the Muffs opener hanging around, however a combination of tight bowling and regular wickets meant things were ticking along quite nicely. Dougs and Shanners picked up the odd wicket which brought Agerkar to the crease needing to up the run rate. The Muffs stalwart brought them back into the game helped by some adventurous stroke play and a particularly rank over from your author. However excellent spells from Pat and Dougster kept the squeeze on and when Agerkar fell in the 40's nothing could save Mufs from Shanton's superb last spell, which very nearly included a hat trick. Shanton finished with 4, 3 for Robin, and 1 a piece for me, Dougs and Pat and the Mufs were out for 141.

Special mention must also go to Spickers for taking an excellent diving catch in front of 3rd slip and to Pat for an equally spectacular diving effort at mid off, erasing all memories of.........

All in all a very good performance where everyone contributed to a solid win. Thanks to Mufs for the hospitality.

The HX committee may like to note the upgrade in Mufs facilities including a bowling machine, collapseable nets and sightscreen.

Masterton 1st round

Just a reminder that the 1st XI play in the 1st round of the Masterton Trophy on Tuesday (18th)-vs MDafs at Arboretum, starting at 6pm.

The selectors have not yet revealed our team but it should be a strong one...lets hope that some of the batsmen can find some form after Saturday's poor showing. They will need to as MDafs have a good recent record in twenty over cricket.

Can those playing try to get down as early as possible - to assist with getting the ground ready etc.

Supporters most welcome - bar will be open from 6ish.