The Shot Heard Round the World

[Match reports used to be a major feature of this blog. There was always an element of "sing when you're winning" about this. The glory days of the blog coincided with a rich vein of form for the club, while there are few things more depressing than having to relive yet another heavy defeat, find yet another euphemism for collapse.

Over the last couple of seasons, as results have improved, the reports have reemerged as a feature of the weekly availability emails - behind the "play wall", if you like. The Secretary thoroughly approves of this development. There's been some excellent reporting, not least from Dave Windram (or Windrush, as the Carlton scorers named him this weekend, possibly in tribute to his love of West Indian cricket). And the more limited distribution saves hours of editing to keep us the right side of ESCA's Social Media policy.

But every so often something wonderful happens and someone describes it so well that it should be shared with a (slightly) wider audience. So here, very lightly edited, is Ken's great moment as narrated by Dave, who is too modest to mention his own three wickets, including that of the centurion, Iain Hathorn.]

Sporting moments when you get to say "I was there" are rare. Headingley 2019, I had thought, would forever be mine. A sun-drenched afternoon which ended with me spewing out of Dan Shaw's car window. Heat exhaustion or adrenaline overload - who knows and frankly who cares? Meadows 2023. The location and year. That is all it will take to recall another of those "I was there" days. Another day of baking hot sun, another day of late evening spewing (this time in Hectors). Heat exhaustion or adrenaline overload - again, who cares?

There was no sign of any earth-shattering activity as Robin's 2s navigated the quidditch games, multicoloured pelotons, interpretive dancers and over-zealous young lovers of the Meadows to take on Carlton 5s.

On this day, the game was to become an irrelevance, but, for completeness, we won the toss and chose to field first. Matt and Ashish P set about trying to prise out Carlton's opening, and league-leading, father-son partnership, the disgustingly correct technique of the younger batter proving a real depressant to the HX team, whose average age was about four times his.

Some clean, crisp hitting from Dad took the score beyond a hundred at drinks, and had some Crossers begging for home time. However, the introduction of Ashish V, JB and Keith assisted in squeezing the run rate and a total that looked certain to balloon was restricted to a run over 200, leaving us a target of 202.

The chase started promisingly, Robin lifting us well above the required rate by smiting the first ball of the innings to the boundary. Surely, the Skipper asked, that was a six? No, said Ken umpiring at square leg, just short. Perhaps an inspiration for what was to follow.

Ken keeping on the day. Photo: Stewart Gray.

We rattled along at a good clip against some very good young bowlers with 20s and 30s from Robin, Ziggy, Keith, JB and Vijay, leaving us requiring 38 from the last 4 overs for an unlikely victory. The Meadows crowd, which had surrounded the pitch all day, could sense something special on the horizon.

A couple of big overs followed as Vijay, who could no longer run, dealt more or less exclusively in boundaries, but when he was finally out we still needed 24 and with just 11 balls left. Enter El Presidente to join Dave at the crease. First delivery, dot ball, ah here we go. "Come on, Coastal, get me on strike, son."

And then it happened. The bat pulled across the body. A shotgun crack. S**t, he's middled that, by the way. The ball shooting like a comet towards some poor unsuspecting soul in the long grass. Ziggy's arms aloft. Is he celebrating or signalling a six? Probably both.

You wait 57 years for your first six and then it's over, just like that. Back to task. 16 off 10, 8 off 5, all Prespectfully defended. 5 dot balls to finish. Back to task.

It has been long established that cricketers are masochists. Why do we give up a day every weekend during the summer for this? Earlier that afternoon, as I lay flat on the ground in the middle of the Meadows, yelling as many expletives as possible at the blazing sun, that very thought ran round in my head. Keith, who thought he'd just made the key breakthrough, was probably wondering why as well. Twenty five overs in, a hundred-odd for none,  and I'd just dropped a dolly off a 12 year old who is already much better at this ridiculous game than I will ever be. A few minutes later, a typical Meadows bounce and the ball clipped me on the jaw. "It's really not your day," came the comforting from Ziggy.

And that is exactly the point, very rarely is it our day. The sooner we accept that, the better. But what draws us back, week after week, is that occasionally it's going to be someone's day. And it it's not our day then it feels just as good, maybe better, joining in celebrating with someone who's day it is. Those days are rare.

Standing at the non-striker's end, as Ken bludgeoned the ball over the square leg boundary the  joy at seeing it clear the spray-painted line felt like my own. Arms aloft at his career achievement, the embrace that followed in the middle was the only natural response. The youthful opposition looked on, baffled at the scenes in the middle, given the fact that we were still almost certainly going to lose. It will all make sense in 57 years, lads.

Fantastic start to the season

 Match Reports from Saturday 29th April, 2023. 

From the keyboard of 1s skipper Ben:

As the alarmingly youthful first team (including debutants Alex, Jack and Fraser) gathered in the freezing drizzle on the Meadows, there was much grumbling about the prospect of playing in such miserable conditions, which only increased when Ben lost the toss and the Morton skipper, after a theatrical pause, opted to bowl. New-look opening partnership Scott and Dan wandered out into the murk, aiming hopefully for the cricket pitch cleverly camouflaged as a very damp public park, with everyone on the sidelines speculating that at least we might be done in time to get back to Arbo for a proper tea with the 2s. However, a combination of calm batting and very tricky bowling/fielding conditions meant the openers progressed slowly but relatively serenely to 35 after 10 overs, at which point Dan departed for a well-made 20.

 

Nipun (31) and Scott then put on an excellent second wicket partnership of 86 in 20 overs, highlights including the first boundary of the day in the 22nd over (no mean feat given the volume of spray and grass clippings that erupted every time the ball hit the outfield), and Scott bringing up his 50 on his way to an excellent 59.  A bit of a stumble followed Nipun’s dismissal, as we slipped from 121-1 to 139-5, but some energetic running and 20* from Ben ensured we made it up to a more than respectable 170-9.

After a hasty tea, Parvath and Fraser opened up the bowling, with Parvath’s in-duckers proving a tricky prospect on his way to figures of 8-1-2-20, as he trapped both openers plumb LBW. Matt M (5-1-0-13) replaced Fraser and kept things very tight, ensuring along with Euan (4-0-0-18) and Nipun (4-1-0-20) that the run-rate started to climb.  However, at 100-2 with 10 overs to go, Morton were by no means out of the chase and the game remained finely poised.

Finally though, the increasing scoreboard pressure started to tell, and Morton’s #3 thumped Ben (8-1-2-26) straight to Euan in the covers, where he took a good, low catch. The immediate introduction of Jack ‘On The’ Atack’s rockets (4-1-3-11) at the other end hastened a remarkable collapse of five wickets for just nine runs in the space of five overs, with Parvath also swooping to snare a direct-hit runout. At 111-7 from 34 overs, and needing exactly 10 an over, Morton’s goose looked cooked, only for their #4 to keep them just about in the hunt with a fine 56. He eventually holed out to another good catch off Ben (this time to Dan at long-on, doing well to cling on as his feet disappeared from under him), before Fraser (who bowled much better than figures of 7-0-1-39 suggest) finally got the wicket he deserved to a screamer of a catch by Parvath, sprinting full tilt and on the stretch at long-on.

The eventual victory margin of 20 runs, with Morton claiming almost full bonus points, reflected a competitive, hard-fought game, played in good spirits against a friendly  Morton team. To take 20 points from what is likely to be one of the season’s tougher assignments is a great start, and entirely down to an excellent collective effort (especially in the very tricky fielding conditions) from the whole team.

From the keyboard of 2s skipper Robin:

In Arctic conditions Holy Cross 2s got their 2023 season underway at Arbo. The skipper proceeded to lose the toss to Livingston 3’s and we were put in, which made both sides happy as the skipper had been informed that all his new players were batsmen foremost and ended up creating a batting order with a specialist batsman going in at number 9.

Livingston's opening bowlers kept it pretty tight on a stodgy early season wicket and Bradley’s return from down under was met with frustration at not being in a position to go about building his innings with lots of flowing back foot shots, being undone by the slow low bounce and dragging one on from his pads and trickling on to the stumps. Where were the heavy bails he moaned! Newbie Ashish P came out at number 3, only to get a Jaffa very early on and promptly marched back to the pavilion. Keith F came out to join the skipper and together they enjoyed some slightly looser bowling and brought up a 50 run partnership, before the skipper rashly slogged across the line off a straight one for 36. Keith followed shortly after for 18, before Jon B played a good knock for 27 whilst wickets gradually fell away at the other end. A creditable 10th wicket partnership took the 2s score to 124 all out in 37.1 overs.

A Crosstastic tea gave all the players some respite from the Arctic conditions before we headed out to defend what the skipper had assessed was a par score on the day.  Newbie Ashish V (5 overs, 1 maiden 0 for 8) and Matt B (5 overs 1 maiden 1 for 7) opened up with a very tight spell of opening bowling. Matt B set the standards for a very fine fielding performance (skipper excepted duffing a catch in the slips) when the Livi opener melted the ball straight back at his midriff and Matt pick himself up off the deck having caught a magnificent caught and bowled.  

Time to introduce the mystery spinner Keith F in to the attack and whilst the skipper kept it tight at the other end (8 overs 2 maidens 1 for 13) Keith started making inroads into the wickets column with a couple of wickets off his fourth over before being ruthlessly taken off. He was needed at the other end. Jon B entered the attack and continued the spin twins excellent day out aided by 2 spectacular catches at mid wicket by our Edinburgh south loan player Sajad Ali, making further inroads into the Livi line up (6 overs 3 for 22). The skipper, having finished his 8 over spell, brought back Keith F and the spin twins continued to wreak havoc on the Livi batting line up as Keith mopped up the tail to secure his first ever 5 for and Livingston 3’s succumbed for 88 in 31 overs. Keith Fraser (7 overs 5 for 30)

Always a pleasure to play Livingston and despite the freezing conditions the game was played in great spirits. Wonderful enthusiasm from all the new members of the Cross and a great fielding display. Did I mention that Keith Fraser had the skipper in total shock at the start of the day as he arrived 45 minutes before the match started. A whole 45 minutes before. Was that the secret of his bowling success? Well done Keith.

McGill Memorial Match-a few snaps

The McGill memorial  match was blessed with fantastic weather. Great to see so many Crossers from the past down at Arbo. An enjoyable game that ended in a sporting draw-McGill would have approved. His ashes now lie across the Arbo square, which he did so much work on. Cheers again to Shifty for all his efforts in getting the game organised. It was great that Anne could be there for the ashes spreading. 

Bonus photo

McGill rolling the square-photo courtesy of V. Gaware. 

"Did I Ever Tell You The Story of The Day They Had A Memorial Match For Me at Arboretum?"

John McPartlin's wonderful tribute to Colin and the club he loved and served.

https://blogfeast.wordpress.com/2021/07/25/a-sadly-smoke-free-zone/

Teams announced for McGill memorial match

Finally we have the teams. 

Holy Cross XI

• Mark Robertson
• Colin Smith
• Keith Geddes
• Andy Quinn
• Ken Lawrie
• Anzelm Cydzik
• Brian Fraser
• Vikram Gaware
• Ben Reiss
• Craig Graham
• AN Other

McGill Invitational XI

• Chris Barker
• Dennis Cartwright
• Colin Thomson
• Scott Russell
• Dougie Russell
• Dominic Mason
• Alan Watson
• Charlie Ellis
• Ian Astley
• David Vettese
• Gerry Lohan

 As you can see the home side is still looking for one player, so if you wish to play please contact Ben - first request wins the prize. The weather is set fair and the bar is expected to be open from 2.00. Hope to see a few well-wishers down to jeer. 

Remember to bring your own ice cream. Cheers, Shifty.

McGill Memorial Match (25th July)

Holy Cross ACC will be holding a commemorative cricket match at home on Sunday the 25th of July to celebrate the immense personality and legendary feats of Colin 'Coco' McGill. Although it is over a year since Coco passed away, the COVID crisis has only now allowed us to hold an event in his honour as substantial as he deserves. As well as the players themselves, we hope to have space available for other well-wishers who may want to attend, including bar facilities.

The match format will be a forty over game featuring a mix of current and former Crossers, starting at 1pm. The teams have been selected by a faceless politburo in the knowledge that demand for places will naturally exceed spaces available so please accept our regrets if you have not been approached to play. A particular apology to Coco's many younger fans as the sides are mainly chosen from Coco's playing heyday in the last century.

Clearly we are still restricted by COVID regulations, so unfortunately we are not in a position to offer a blanket invitation beyond the confines of this correspondence list for now, but we are optimistic that by the time of the match we will be able to host a good, if limited, number of spectators. We will update you on the necessary restrictions as the situation develops. As things currently stand we are allowed 30 attendees for the match and another 30 for a parallel event hosted in the clubhouse (with easy access to the playing field). If interest is high we may be able to extend the numbers by splitting the clubhouse event into an afternoon session and an evening session. We should have a better idea after 19th July.

In spite of the complications, we hope to have a lot of interest in this event. To help us gauge the level of attendance, if you would like to come down please reply to this email or drop us a line at holycross.availability@gmail.com. It promises to be a wonderful chance to remember the great man in the way he would have most enjoyed.

Mark Robertson. 

Gloomy finish for the firsts.

Murrayfield-Dafs IIs vs Holy Cross Is - at Roseburn (29.5.21). 

 A day on which the deteriorating weather reflected the fortunes of Holy Cross. From glorious afternoon sunshine the match ended in dank gloom. I initially regretted not having any sunscreen...by the end I was shivering.

I arrived at Roseburn as Murrayfield-Dafs IIs reached 50 odd for 2, with some slightly wayward bowling apparently helping their cause. The bowling tightened up and the batsman attempted some overambitious lofted shots on what appeared to be a tricky damp pitch (unsurprisingly so given the exceptionally wet May we've had). In general, the catching and fielding by a young looking Cross side was extremely sound and though there were a couple of missed run outs (and one catch put down off Ben at square leg), Murrayfield-Dafs subsided quickly to 76 for 8. Some late runs from Rathod helping Murrayfield-Dafs rally to reach 99ao and giving his side  something approaching a defendable total on this sluggish and tricky pitch. 

Newcomer Dougie bowled with some decent pace and generally an impressively full length, though there were a couple of beamers. Ben bowled very steadily with his rhythmical action and ended with the best figures-2/15 off 8. Nipun taking 2/19 with his slow left-armers. 3 run outs helped HX close out the innings.  

There was a generally optimistic air at tea with the sense for the chase would be tricky but manageable. Euan felt that the batting was 'strong' and a steady start by a watchful Calum and a relatively fluent Nipun (playing a couple of nice pulls for 4) took the score 21-0 in the 9th over. Ross was looking forward to the openers knocking off the runs and getting into the Murrayfield Hotel. After somehow avoiding a run out (both Calum and Nipun were the same end for a few seconds),  Nipun was bowled.  Calum was out sweeping ('terrible shot selection' he admitted afterwards)  & BAF (lbw)  following soon after. 23-3 and the pitch and the chase both looking far trickier. The Murrayfield-Dafs' bowling really tightened up at this point, exploiting the inconsistent bounce well. 

After Euan was well caught at square leg & Ross out lbw, HX were 37-5 and clear second favourites. Tom was still there anchoring the innings well and a 26 run partnership got HX back in with a realistic chance. Tom was bowled by one that jagged and kept particularly low ('how I am I supposed to play that?!') and when Chinta was -after a promising start- bowled in similar fashion the game was almost up. HX's last 5 wickets going down rather meekly for 12 runs. Mitchell (looking like a right-armed version of Faudhouse's Alan McDonald) taking 4-23 for the home side. 

A disappointing result for HX after a loss in another close match the week before. However, it was good to see a good spirit in the team and plenty of youthful energy. Hopefully results will pick up soon- they travel down to the Borders next week to take on Hawick & Wilton. 

Full scorecard 

Match report by Charlie Ellis