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


Worth Waiting 5 Weeks For?

A panel of independent judges have marked yesterday's HX 1st XI's performance vs Carlton 2's :

Bowling: 5
Batting: 3
Fielding: 1

Well played Carlton but they should have been tested rather more...

Friday, 20 July 2012

League Weekend 13 and the Week Ahead

As I type, all three Saturday matches are still on. Fingers crossed ......
  • 1sts vs Carlton 2nds at Arbo.
  • 2nds vs Stirling County 3rds, away.
  • 3rds vs Kirk Brae 2nds at Campbell Park.
Midweek -
  • Wednesday, Presidents Plate (2nds and 3rds) quater final vs Casuals CC at Arbo.
  • Thursday, Presidents Trophy quarter final vs Edinburgh at Arbo.

Smudger Smashes Sixty

Top Crosser, current grounds commissar, former match secretary, former 3rds captain, former 2nds captain (both full time and stand-in), Colin "Smudger" Smith (on the left on the right, if you see what I mean) will be 60 on Wednesday. Unbelievable but true.

Come and join the most fertile man in the club for celebratory drinks in the Green Room on the evening of Saturday 28th. Hear the legend of the Largo Seven. Learn why one male Smith played for Carlton rather than the Cross. Meet mystery guests from the club's past, including, for new players, our President, Mark "Shifty" Robertson (on the right on the right, if you see what I mean), who is rumoured to be available for selection. Get mildly intoxicated. Arm wrestling optional.

Wednesday, 18 July 2012

Fixture Congestion Eased


At the behest of Lord Admin, we have been busily engaging in a purge of fixture commitments by exiting tournaments in some haste.

Apologies for lack of details, I don't have any scorecards to hand.

On Sunday we travelled to Glasgow Accies (Gaccies v Haccies?) and were beaten with a couple of overs to spare. We made 144 all out which just wasn't enough in the end, top scorer most likely Gary T. Highlights included a comedy leave to a steepler by McGill on the boundary (as he didn't touch it, it doesn't count as a drop) and the best over of Dougie's career as he unleashed some unfeasible turn. Super Ted let us down badly after recent cup heroics collecting a Golden amidst a hat-trick and trashing his 1st XI average. Later Broonster incurred some jewel damage in a plucky last wicket stand and has been sitting down very carefully ever since.

Quote of the day by Broonster; "Stood on the scales this morning and I've lost 14lbs in two months. Nearly lost 2 stones in a day in Glasgow".

Man of the match - Their 5-for debutant.

Just found this - Glasgow Accies v Holy Cross
Note - This scorecard says Ted & Ziggy both made 1, from 1 ball, and were bowled. I'll need that explained to me.


Note the car headlights in the car park
On Tuesday we had the pleasure of playing on the Arty at Roseburn against Mufs in another semi final. It was damp, grey and gloomy at the start and got damper, greyer and gloomier. Ach I'll just come out and say it, Bimbo dropped the cup!!! Asif Mohammed who went on to blast 64 in no time was on about 2 when he toed one high towards long on, but Bimbo's bouncy mitts gave the Mufs man a second chance.

Gary T chips one into the gap
The next over Trewartha was blasted for two 6's and a 4 and wasn't the only one to suffer. So Dougie chucked the ball to Bimbo and asked him to make amends, but said ball was then brutally despatched straight back over his head and probably over the Water of Leith as well. It was never found. A local battleaxe walking her great great great grandchild took that opportunity to scold our humble skipper along the lines of Health & Safety (even although the ball cleared the path, the curmudgeon and her little miracle by about 3,000 feet).

Once Mohammed departed, the Cross bowlers regained control and were able to restrict the hosts to only 139. Owais (7), Me (7) & McO (2) got us off to a rubbish start. Gary T salvaged a decent 30 in the middle somewhere, but the rest of us were unable to deal with the scoreboard pressure, the invisible ball and the dancing feet of their opening bowler (you had to be there). The innings finished with Sandy & Andy R needing just eight 6's from the last 8 balls and they let us down very badly as the innings concluded at 93-10 from 19 overs.

Man of the Match - Bobby Bainbridge.


Monday, 16 July 2012

Cupdate

A reminder that on Tuesday night we take on Murrayfield-DAFS at Roseburn in the Parks Trophy semi-final.

Next week sees two cup ties at Arbo -
  • Wednesday 25th, Presidents Plate quarter-final vs Casuals CC.
  • Thursday 26th, Presidents Trophy quarter-final vs Edinburgh.
Full list of cup commitments here.