First XI Match Reports

MDCC ONES OFF TO A FLYER

Saturday 27 April. MDCC v Mitre at Inch Park

Picture the moment. The long and barren winter months of no cricket. Then the netting starts.. slowly we re-acquaint ourselves with the dark arts of cricket. Suddenly is all for real as the first game of the season is upon us. Skipper wins the toss... we insert the Mighty Mitre into bat. We have it all to prove again. So there we are ... in place in the field... Richie Sorrell thunders in, chest out arms and legs pumping to deliver the first ball of the new season. Where will the loosener go... 6 feet down leg? Half-way down the pitch outside off? Those of little faith berate yourselves... the delivery is speared on a fine length and jags back to remove the bemused batsman's off stump. Season stats so far ... First game...first ball... first wicket taken. What a start. Can we continue it ...yes we can. On an iffy pitch Mitre are all at sea as we reduce them to 22 for 5, Sorrell striking fear through the top order, Simpson chipping away at the other end. Skipper running around the outfield like a gazelle (3 legged one perhaps). Its days like this that make it all worthwhile.

Mitre's innings is held together by the diminutive Malik with a pugnacious 26 until he fell taking a cross-bat liberty with Tony Simpson. Tony only allows the lassies to take liberties with him! A Mr Martin batting at no.9 shows greater dexterity than many that came before him with an unbeaten 15 that allows Mitre to reach 72 all out. Last years leading league wicket-taker, Mr Allan held back till late to demolish the tail ( we need to give him a bit of a handicapp to give the rest a chance perhaps!). Dave gets a wee run out at the other end and drops onto a length with immediate metronomic accuracy. Generally a top show in the field, with no dropped chances really, and only the odd isolated comical fielding moment courtesy of...they know who they are. The star of course Richie with the first Michelle of the season- 10-2-16-5.

And so the intrepid MDCC opening duo of Knight and Bala stride out to the crease, suitably forewarned now about the dodgy pitch (looked like someone had rode a motor bike over it a wee while ago- and on a length!). However a set-back early into the piece- Andy is adjudged leg before and we are 6 for 1. Not quite the dream start. Out strolls our very own Sicknote to join Bala. Bala shows good early form for the season with a patiently crafted 24 before he departs leg before (must think about sending bowlers out to umpire... though they were plum befores). 41 runs were added in the Bala-Sicknote stand and we are nearly there, bar a wee wobble... Hubbard joins the lbw club for 4, Paul Hamilton looks classy in his brief cameo of 5 before suckered by a slow one from Malik. John-Norman strides to the crease - and claims shot of the day with a text-book square cut. Sicknote had been merrily carrying on re-writing the MCC batting manual with a series of swipes, edges (and odd proper shot) that went over, past or through various members of the opposition fielders. Probably the worse 23 runs he had seen declared the umpiring Norm Allan. The skipper just shock his head! Well I did a job - better than being out first ball on a tricky wicket!! Anyway a final lofted shot tantalisingly placed over the head of mid-off ended the game. Job done, maybe not pretty, but 25 points in the bag for the Mufs and we are away to a flyer on the quest for glory.

Scoreboard extracts:

MDCC Bowling - Mitre 70-all out 24.2 overs

MDCC Batting

Day-off for Ones

Due to the withdrawal of Grangemouth the Ones had a day-off!

Day-off for Ones Batting!!

Stirling County 2 v MDCC - Williamfield - Saturday 11 May 2002

Ol' Sickie Web-ed reports from the front-line....

What does the figure 99 mean to you? For my generation perhaps Nena and her red teutonic balloons and hairy armpits; perhaps you will think of Shane Warne's cruel dismissal on that figure; Brian Marshall's innings last year; Bradmans average; or perhaps you would just settle for something with a flake in it (luv) ! But 99 does not often conjure the thought of an acceptable and defendable score as the Ones found out to their cost in Stirling as the batting went to the hounds against the Dogs of Stirling.

It didn't start well for us as the high priest of Mufs batting, Murdo, with memories of last year's lady-killing of Stirling's Kerri Anderson perhaps still fresh in his mind, fell on the last ball of the opening over for 4. A couple of pugnacious drives had promised much more deliverance from the Rev. Once more at number 3 strode out our very own web-ed. A typically slow and sticky early season wicket didn't make timing the ball any easier (though when did I last do that?) nor did some disciplined and accurate bowling from Stirling. When one did find the middle of the club with a raspin' drive, one only nearly succeeded in running out Bala at the non-strikers end. Bala exacted revenge a bit later.

And so we inched along rather painfully at 2 an over or so, Bala had gone a bit into his shell, and sensing frustration, one thought one would have a word at the end of the over. "Just look for the singles but..." (having spotted that the cover fielder was extremely sharp and agile) ..."Not to him!!". One ball later a cover drive from Bala to said fielder, an attempted single, and its Goodnight Vienna, Stourbridge and Bognor Regis all in one go. I considered throwing my bat at the keeper while several yards out to help matters, then settled on plan B on him dropping it, the ball not my bat. He didn't. I made my way off for 14 (off 29 balls, Dazza - it weren't that slow!!) and hoped that to make amends Bala would produce the big match-winning score that I was destined to (insert sounds of guffawing, perhaps...).

Now Chris "Monty" West strode out to join the fray. We had plenty of batting in hand, and although we had at this point used up plenty of overs, certainly no time for panic-stations yet. Chris and Bala found the going no easier, and Bala's frustration got the better of him and a wild yahoo across the line (it became a depressingly familiar sight) saw his stint end for 18. Now we were 42 for 3 of 23 overs, a sort of platform for the aggressive strokeplayers to turn into perhaps a match-winning 150 off the next 25 overs? It was not to be. Westy got a short but low one an' departed utterly plum before (I know - I was umpiring- he gave me a right evil stare though!) for 4 (42-4); Lindsay smashes a drive for 2 and tried to repeat the shot (44-5). The Kidda joins Brian, how desparately do we need a classic skipper's innings now. Desparate it was - three swish and out for nowt (45-6). John-Norman to the rescue... but Brian can't stay with him long and now its 49 for 7. JNB is in fine fettle and with Dave Fishy offering sensible support, Norm produces by far the best batting display with some excellant strokeplay. Hopes begin to rise of a defendable 120+ score, dashed when JN becomes the sixth man to be bowled for 17 (72 for 8).

Our collective depression (though personally I was in a world of immense joy due to Stoke City's promotion play-off victory, sod this batting debacle spoiling my mood!) was lifted briefly by a most wondrous display of measured 9-iron strokeplay by our very own Tony Simpson before the invitable toppling of his castle for 11. A clearly non-plussed Norman Allan showed the top-order how to do it with a couple of rasping boundaries. However, Dave was caught for 7 and it was all over exasperatingly one short of a batting point for 99. We never deserved it anyway.

Away games at Stirling are generally pleasurable due to the most splendid spread one gets for tea. Again the ladies of Stirling did us proud though who scoffed all the pork-pies I wonder? Murdo gave us a culinary sermon on the creation of a divine Cheese sandwich, lo such sandwich must be unadulterated by heathen trappings such as pickle or mayonnaise (verily any sandwich non-conformist will have their tongue fed to them - hold the chutney though - (I made that bit up, actually). Thankfully he assured us that French brie on oatcake is most acceptable. What about Somerset Brie though?

Culinary fire and brimstone concluded, we hoped that Messers Allan and Simpson would inflict retribution on the Stirling batters. They sent out Dad's Army and latterly Worzel Gummidge (who said that? - coz he didn't look like John Pertwee to me!) to fight us. Would we be doooomed...!? Yes we were. Wise ol'heads did exactly what was necessary and slowly and surely, led by a 34 from D MacGowan they ground our hopes into the dust. The chaps bowled tidly enough- Fishy his usual economical self plus our fielding was fine, but it just wasn't happening for us, what chances there were either dropped short or over heads. The old, salty sea-dogs of Stirling never looked in any discomfort. John-Norman gave us some brief hope with 2 wickets and the Skip entered the fray late on, bowled tidly and ended MacGowans long long stay with a c'n'b. It was all too late and all over in their 45th over. A loss by 6 wickets and only 2 points earned. Still, Stoke won though. Hurrah!

Sorry tale of scorebook woe follows...

MDCC Batting 99 all out - 42.4 overs

MDCC Bowling - Stirling County 2 - 102 for 4 - 45 overs

Soggy Mufs at Ice Station Muirhouse

MDCC1 v SMRH 2 - Muirhouse - Saturday 18 May 2002

This sun thing was never going to last - particularly on Saturdays. And so we spent the best part of three hours shivering in the cold as we watched SMRH2, bolstered by a significant Antipodean contingent, batter us to various parts of Muirhouse in the rain and cold. Sanity finally broke out and the game was abandoned before tea and Mufs fielders could bring life and warmth back into fingers (self-digit-preservation may have been in play in several fielding incidents!). Richie could now add double-pnuemonia to his various ailments. Not what the doctor would have ordered! SMRH looked very impressive in getting to 204 for 8 of 44.4 overs before we trudged off. I watched it all from a frozen slip position, my admiration to all our bowlers for even being able to grip the bar of soap - or any fielder that dared to put his numbed digits in the way of a fiercesome drive... some (perhaps wisely) didnt! I'll perhaps write more later... off to the pub to create the social report

Scorebook afore abandonment of game at halfway

MDCC Bowling - SMRH 2 - 204 for 8 - 44.4 overs

Rain Claims Union Park Game

Boudoir Corstorphine 2 v MDCC1 - Union Park - Saturday 25 May 2002

Its becoming a familiar theme... rain claims play. Union Park hasn't recovered from the recent deluge(s) so another game is lost. Off to the gym instead for fitness training methinks.

Turnips v Largo

MDCC1 v Largo - Muirhouse - Saturday 1 June 2002

Its becoming another familiar theme... not rain but Mufs 1XI batting simply not up to it collectively. If the effort v Stirling was bad this was terrible! They say one of cricket's fascinations is the potential ebb and flow of the game. Well on Saturday we were losing it - winning it- losing it - winning it big time (then our turn to bat) - losing it - losing it- LOSING IT- winning it- winning it - losing it - LOST IT!! Even Sven's lot surely couldn't contrive to take a defeat out of a winning position so effectively. Now we must pull our finger out and quick. Amongst the batting gloom were some who stood out and should feel that they did their bit. It just needed another score of 20 from somewhere, someone, anyone! Our bowlers have done a magnificant job so far this year and they must feel totally let down. Anyway enough gloom. We have talented batters (and me)- more application, concentration and a bit of fortune perhaps and I know we can turn it around. For the sake of Mufs lets do it! And lets see more of you at Monday night nets to start with!

It started so promisingly... a toss won and opposition inserted. Their openers not really fancying the track which looked its tufty and uneven best... recent rain no doubt not helped preparation. However they (and the tremendously Walrus-mustachioed Mowat in particular) kept battling away - block or four was the game. Richie and the Skip bowled tidily and with some menace, an odd bit of sharp lift troubling the Fifers. Then in a call that had me doubting my ears... suddenly I was on to bowl first-change ("to buy a wicket" the skip later explained.) Now for those who witnessed Prague, they will recall that was the last time I really bowled in a match with disastrous consequences, on that occasion even if the wicket was 40 yards long then I would still have been bowling beamers at the wicket-keeper. Such negative thoughts one tried to put away ... but striding up I bowled more in hope of pitching the ball somewhere decent than...ahem... turning back the years and surprising the batter with a cunning and evil delivery that would swing-in late thru their breached defences. Ok I AM hallucinating - stop laughing. However, somewhat surprisingly 5-ish out of 6 deliveries generally were straight and good-lengthed and kept the batsmen thoughtful (i.e. when he is going to bowl a shite one again). However, there was always that ever so predictable rank short one which got either clubbed for 4 or fell into my cunning leg-trap (nearly) - one spilled and one dropped in an area where Dazza and I couldn't quite agree the very ball before about moving the fielder to. I'll listen next time... honest skip.

Enough of me... John-Norm was brought on as well at the other end and bowled tidily- his leg-trap delivery unfortunantly being chested down by the fielder rather than being pouched. Now Largo were past 50 for 0... not exactly motoring but it was a platform one thought to build on. However, normal bowling service was resumed with the introduction of Norm Allan instead of moi. How things changed. With Phil Rogers joining at the other end, the game turned on its head all of a sudden. Wickets a-tumbled over after over and the runs totally stopped... suddenly they were 60 odd for 5. We smelt blood... one more scalp and that probably would have been it but the Fife "Kiwi", Rodden took the attack back to us with a quick 30. Richie came back with extra fire in the belly (no doubt riled by a particularly rank bit of fielding by yours-truly) and took out Kiwi's off-stump...once he went we wrapped it up quick. Normie finishing with 4 for 21, Phil (can't say "Dino" no more... :-( ) with 3 for 14 and Richie with 3 for 15. Good work fellas!

Tea had a little more variety as the cheese 'n' ham sarnie of previous weeks was joined by a beef like thing. Pies little underdone for my liking. Chaps agreed the choccie biscuits were better... but I still think we could be a little more imaginative- what about a nice bit of swiss-roll or Battenburg or some jam-tarts to liven things up? Also, God help any vegetarians amongst opposition expecting feeding...!

And so with confident expectations of 25 points to be won - particularly when on paper we bat all the way up to 11 (shades of Spinal Tap perhaps?). However we might have been better off starting from 11... numbers 1,2 and 4 contribute 5 between them. Suddenly we have put ourselves under much pressure. Kiwi was quite hasty and was too hot for Bala, Murdo and Knighty but... he was a dream for my style ... go on my son... stick it on me pads fast and full... have a big gap at mid-on, mid-wicket. Yummy. Xmas was coming early perhaps. However, the young Fifer at the other end was with a slower pace getting more irregularity from the pitch. Too much caution methinks...(well we had just lost Andy...) I should have melted a short-one that begged to be belted. I didn't. It prayed on my mind (big mistake - golden rule - forget previous deliveries- play each on merit). It looked like another short-one that would sit-up and beg. Shortish perhaps... but it got no higher than the ankles... and it was goodnight for only 12 and now 18 for 4. "Horrendous" cackled the slips in semi-sympathy and glee about the balls trajectory. "Bastards" I thought - particularly THAT one who relentlessly perputrated some of the most ridiculous and unimaginative sledging I have heard. "Rabbit" and "Hutch"... yawn... try another. It got worse. Westy lasted no too long - bowled round his legs. It were now 30 for 5 - what a disaster.

However, now the game slowly turned back again our way. Andy Lacey did what was required at the time and was a rock of defensive reliability. John-Norman continued his good form with some trademark drives. Just keep on going chaps, keep chipping away. It couldn't last... it would have to be ol'Sledger of all people to do the damage. JNB nicked one and was gone for 16. Richie was in positive mood and again it seemed the game was turning back our way. Again Largo struck back just as it was slipping from them... Richie caught for 18 and Andy L for a patient 19. If any of them had stayed we would have won but that is harsh indeed as they took us close and top 5 should have done the business anyway. Still, even with 20 required but just 2 wickets I was confident. Kidda, Phil and Norman A is a tail to be proud of. But it went all pear-shaped. Phil was bamboozled by an odd one off the pitch (that's his excuse!) then the skippa's defence is breached and its suddenly all over. A loss by 17 runs and despair all round. This Largo team was eminently beatable but the scoreboard tells of a Largo victory. Arrogant this may sound but Largo and Stirling, no disrespect to those guys, are teams that on paper we really should be beating 8 times out of 10. Collectively we are not performing as a batting unit and we must address that now otherwise Div 4 will be beckoning at this rate no matter what terrific perfomances week-in week out our bowlers put in. C'mon chaps lets put it right starting next versus Freuchie!!

Scorebook details..

MDCC Bowling - Largo - 104 for 10 - 42.5 overs - 8 extras

MDCC Batting 87 all out - 36?? overs

Rained Off

MDCC1 v Freuchie 2 - Freuchie - Saturday 8 June 2002

Rain had made the pitch unplayable I believe so a day-off to nurse the hangover for the sons of St George amongst us.

Rained Off

MDCC1 v West Lothian 2 - Muirhouse - Saturday 15 June 2002

Rain had made the pitch unplayable so another day-off to watch World Cup footy and Test cricket; drink beer, eat pies, smoke tabs.

Rained Off Once More

MDCC1 v Dunfermline Townhill 2 - Dunfermline - Saturday 22 June 2002

Rain done its worse again... bit like last the previous Saturday... watch World Cup footy; drink beer, eat pies, smoke tabs.

Sorrell Destroys Mitre

MDCC1 v Mitre 1 - Inch Park - Saturday 29 June 2002

One is simply running out of words to describe Richy S. Awesome, almost frightening perhaps. The Mitre batsman simply looked like rabbits caught in the headlights as the Beast of Sorrell charged at them and ripped out the heart, lung, guts and spleen of Mitre. Figures of 12-8-11-7 say it all. I will write more on my return... but briefly we got off to a terrible start...at one point 16 for 3 (yours truly contributing bugger-all to that (but made up with a few no-balls umpiring), Kidd 4 and the "Hairy Monster" Watling 5) then slowly Graham Watson and Andy "Liberty" (don't ask) Knight begin the rescue operation. Graham eventually falls for a patient 10..., JNB is clearly not-with-it-today and persishes quickly. Liberty is joined by Lindsay and the rescue operation moves into top gear. With a stand of 76 the boys take the score to 129, then Lindsay is bowled for 38. Then the wheels come-off big time. In the duration it basically took me to go for a welshman we were 9 down for 132. Then the gallant Knight falls for 46 just as Norman was preparing once again to show us how to bat. All out for 132 and a collapso of last 5 wickets for 3 runs.

Tea in the Inch Park is always spendid - Mr Kipling would be proud of it. I was so hungry I ate most of it. They wouldn't let me stay behind to eat the rest as we took to the field.

And so with a below par score to defend we unleashed The Beast. The Beast perhaps hadn't fed himself at tea, and was hungry... very hungry to feast on batsman. And how he did gorge himself. Carnage in the Mitre top rank as Richy rips out the top 4. Now came Norman Allan, vulture-like, to pick at the bones of the freshly slaughtered Mitre carcass and claim 2 victims. At 33 for 6 it looked like an early bath. But wonderful game it is that we doth play. Sorrell was suffering... and Kidda had to return the sickly Beast to his cage and bowl in his place... but the skippa was struggling for line and length. And so slowly and surely Smith and Thomson of Mitre crept along as they repelled all we could throw at them, pure survival against Norman who finished with 15-10-20-2. Surely only a matter of time until we broke through? But no... they kept creeping along, accelerating all the while. The day looked like slipping away... when would Dazza release the Beast? Finally our prayers are answered. He's back and he is angry. Suddenly an edge is drawn but the chance is spilled... then the batsman's stumps are shaved by the ball but bails remain undisturbed! Are the cricketing gods against us? An expensive over off Simps takes Mitre to the cusp... 16 short 10 overs left. We looked doomed. But the game turns again- Sorrell finally removes Smith for an excellant 65, then clean bowls the next two batsmen. It is left to the skippa to wrap it up with a super delivery. Victory is ours - how sweet it tasted and what a game. Well done to Smith and Thomson who took us close. But Hurrah for the Beast of Sorrell.

MDCC Batting 132 all out - 45.2 overs

Scorebook details..

MDCC Bowling - Mitre - 118 for 10 - 45.2 overs - 26 extras

Day Off

Saturday 6 July 2002

No game as this was the slot for the Grangemouth game who as you know pulled out of the League.

Game Off - No Pitch

MDCC1 v Stirling 2 - Muirhouse - Saturday 13 July 2002

Somehow despite reasonably good weather this week the Muirhouse groundsman could not prepare a pitch. We are all baffled and, given today is a lovely day for a change, a fair bit frustrated. Chance to cheer on the Twos

Game Off - Rain

MDCC1 v SMRH 2 - Ferry Road - Saturday 20 July 2002

Game off due to rain. Christ almighty!

Six of the Best for Simpson in the Boudoir

MDCC1 v Belvoir Corstorphine 2 - Muirhouse - Saturday 27 July 2002

A game on a Saturday? No never. Well the groundsman had prepared an absolute cracker of a batting wicket which Boudoir Corstorphine took total advantage off in getting to 47. They simply found the going too tough against Night-bus who took career best figures of 6 for 22 and Stormin' Norman who wrapped up the other 4. Aussie Scott's hangover was well and truely disturbed by an early slip catch which was well taken and that set the tone of the game. The Boudoirs kept swishing and missing and our boys kept it straight! The dodgy wicket popped up a few surprises and Bala bagged 3 catches though scandalously didn't get both hands to a 190 mph drive while fielding at short-leg. Tut tut.

Then it was our turn on the cabbage-patch. We lost Graham Watson and Reuben (Secret Lemonade Drinker...?) Whyte soon to a lively Corstorphine attack. Sickie with a battlin'(?) 9 not out (battlin' to keep the ball away from his mush at times) and Lindsay Towns with a quick-fire pugnacious 28 not out saw us to victory by half past three!

Scorebook details..

MDCC Bowling - Belvoir Corstorphine - 47 for 10 - 21.4 overs

MDCC Batting 48 for 2 - 14.3 overs - 5 extras

Rainy trip in vain to Largo

MDCC1 v Largo - Upper Largo - Saturday 3 August 2002

Well I must say I was mighty surprised when I got the call from Darryn at 10:00am that the game was still on. I was even more surprised when he was asking why I was late for the 11:15am rendevous at the Murrayfield Hotel. Oh dear. Ones bedroom clock had mysteriously lost a couple of hours. Oops. Sorry chaps. Anyway they generously came to get me and we arrived just after one. We shouldn't even have been made to make the long journey. The pitch was unplayable and was never likely to be playable that day. So after some hanging around and unskilful booting around of a football, the game was called off and thought of a friendly knock-about quickly dispelled. The one bright point was that they still layed on a very excellant Tea...probably 4-star Piggott rating.

And so we went down to the Robinson Crusoe Hotel... even that was a bit of a 'mare as the 25th Largo Law Hill Run was starting from the car park and thus there was absolutely nowhere to park there and god knows how many athletes to compete with for remaining car parking spaces elsewhere. If they are that bloody fit they should have ran there in the first place! It was utterly comical all these cars going round in circles ... Lindsay and Willie got so frustrated they gave up and went! Eventually we got parked in the nearby estate not far from the pub.... atheletes whizzing past us in warm-up mode. And so compare and contrast.... there were we supping ale into a variety of sized belly on one side of the car park and there were they ... lithe and athletic (mostly). Yin and Yang or something.

Next we (Andy) decided that we would have a pint in the only pub in Aberdour. Problem was there was 2 hotel bars and a pub.... and that weren't even the one Andy had drunk in before. We all met up in the end. Then it were back to Edinburgh and for some more beer and adventure..(see news). All in all a nice day trip to Fife.

Game off- rain

MDCC1 v Freuchie 2 - Muirhouse - Saturday 10 August 2002

Game off once more due to rain.

Boghall Tie Thriller

MDCC1 v West Lothian 2 - Boghall, Linlithgow - Saturday 17 August 2002

At last some cricket on a Saturday but with all this recent rain some rust had seemingly crept into the Mufs batting. In the end this game turned into a right nailbiter... but it was just nice to actually PLAY!!

Skippa called it wrong and we were thus inserted by the opposition and out to the middle of a cracking cricket pitch, with a very tempting short boundary on one side, strode our opening duo, Chris Watling and Lindsay Towns... Lindsay promoted up the order to get us off to a flyer. The plan didn't come off and Lindsay is soon back in the pavillion for 7. Next in is our very own webmaster ... scratching around as ever to start with but then after about 4 swish-n-misses at the Lothian premier bowler (ex-Grangemouth chap... bit of a reunion in fact with 3 of them present!) suddenly a big connection and a 6 over long-on. Still utterly stunned by the successful execution of this shot, footwork went to pot and one was trapped lbw shortly thereafter for 10. Curses- such a nice pitch, cropped outfield, short boundary.... screaming RUNS RUNS RUNS!!. Screaming ab-dabs for Bala unfortunantly. This being probably Bala's last league bat for us before returning to home to India, we were wishing for him to sign-off in style and post a big one. The cricketing Gods can be so cruel at times. Poor Bala bowled first ball... his first ever Golden.

Now we were in a bit of a pickle, now we need a hero.... Enter Andy Lacey. Ably supported by Chris they dig us out of the mire and back into a decent position, Andy mercilessly despatching one of the W Lothian young spinners for two sixes in one over. Chris got in the act with two boundaries off another over. However just as things were looking promising it went pear-shaped again... Chris is bowled for 25 missing a full pitcher. With obviously a point to prove to his former Grangemouth colleagues, out strode Graham Watson and again we recover to the strains of music from afar... more like Blackpool than Boghall with "Oh I do like to be beside the seaside..." and "I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts!" providing a tuneful accompaniment. They obviously had heard about Mufs the Musical. Maybe it distracted Mr Lacey as he was caught three short of what would have been his first club cricket 50. Jug avoidance fine looming?? Now things went really pear-shaped. Skippa looped a drive to slip for 1, Martin Ward was bowled for a duck, Simpson briefly entertained us with some big hits before getting a bit too underneath one and went for a quick 12, then Graham fell to an excellant diving catch by one of the youngsters. Iain Martin and Norman were left ... Iain defends an over stoutly... "he looks more like a batsman than me" declares Norman... then he proceeded to add weight to his theory by swishing across the line to create the fourth duck of the innings. All out for 140 - at least 30-40 runs below a par score perhaps. Well batted Mr Lacey.... who had earlier got involved in a moment of controversy... he left a delivery for the keeper and after a while then set off for a wander to do some gardening. Their keeper was still hovering with ball in glove and removed the bails. Lindsay standing at square umpiring had averted his gaze by that point to count his pebbles. No decision other than not out could be given in the circumstances... technically perhaps "out" ... but surely not "in the spirit of the game" given the time that had elapsed after the ball was taken? No wickies union here obviously!!

Then a most splendid spread for tea - definitely a Piggott 5 Star rating.

Back out we went sensing that we had to be on top of our game to win this though the mood in the camp was that if we took out the top half of the order then youth might succumb under pressure. Tony and Norman open the bowling... Tony is complaining of a sore shoulder (what has he been up to?) and his brief opening spell is expensive. Norman is on the spot and has the openers in strife. Our bowling resources looked stretched and we need a top-drawer spell from Norm. He delivers... bowling unchanged for his whole 15 overs taking 3 wickets for only 17 runs. Bala cheered himself up by taking one of his usual razor-sharp reflex catches at very silly point to gain Norman's first and remove the ex-Grangemouth man. Bala himself gets his first league bowl and claims a wicket thanks to a well-judged catch by Tony. But the Boghall side were inching closer... and their South African wickie, Jacobs, proved a hard nut to crack but lived dangerously... dropped off Iain Martin by Norm (tut-tut), hit one that sailed over my head (me couldn't find reverse quick enough once I realised it was not coming down as quick as I thought... oops..). They seemed to be crusing ... albeit slowly... to victory... but just a couple of breakthroughs and we knew we were back in it. Simpson returned and battled through the pain to claim a couple of wickets... Dazza was a man possessed and after a few more near misses we finally claimed Jacobs with Normie making up for his earlier slip with a fine catch at gully... it were certainly travelling. We were in with a chance now... 3 overs left, 9 to win, 3 wickets to claim. Skippa bags another two wickets... Tony bowls a maiden...now its 5 to win for the opposition ... one wicket for us. A slash of the first ball earns them two ... lots of swishing an' missing for the next 4 balls. Nerves were a jangling as the final ball is delivered... but it is clubbed over Graham at mid-on... oh bloody hell I think ... but Graham raced after it like a gazelle... then I blanked-out in all the excitement and woke to find the match finished all square and tied on 140 each. We had got out of jail perhaps but again an interesting example of what pressure can get exerted at the death with tight bowling. The tie, however, means less of a chance of promotion for the Ones.

Scorebook details...

MDCC Batting 140 for 10 - 47 overs - 12 extras

MDCC Bowling - West Lothian 2 - 140 for 9 - 53 overs - 16 extras

Muirhouse Pitch Scandal

MDCC1 v Townhill 2 - The Muirhouse Tropical Rain Forest - Saturday 24 August 2002

Enough has been said already - see News - but game forfeited due to the inability of the groundsman to prepare a pitch on predominantly a dry week... and inability to tell our Skippa he had called it off! It beggars belief. Promotion chances went up in smoke at a stroke.

Second XI Match Reports

Seconds University Challenge Valiantly Fails

The Twos were beaten by Edinburgh University Staff. Full controversial and hard-hitting report now follows from Tom...

MDCC 2 Vs Edinburgh University Staff - Peffermill - 27th April 2002

New Season, new start, new opposition....worryingly familiar result.

The sun was out, but the rain clouds were building as the Uni. Staff took to the field and Messers Watling and Marshall (B) entered the fray. A solid start saw us confidently striding away to 43 without loss after 14 overs, until an inspired bowling change saw the end of Brian for 23, then Chris next over for 18. The new men at the front were the newly helmeted Breck Stewart (it was an ACCIDENT OK? It wasn’t my fault) and last year’s young player of the year, Andy “Len” Hutton. Breck looked in quite good touch, very solid, while Andy was soon bowled without troubling the scorers. This was the beginning of the MUFS II traditional mid order collapse - 43-1, 45-2, 51-3, 71-4, 77-5, 80-6, 88-7, 92-8. Andy Lacey heaved over the top of one to get bowled for 9, Praveen couldn’t keep the ball down anwas caughfor 6, yours truly played a beautiful flick shot to the leg side…….just moments before the ball actually arrived…….top edge lobbed to mid off…….out for a duck. Breck had been in for 18 overs trying to shore things up when he finally succumbed for 10, new boy Donald MacLeod was bowled for 2, and our second new boy Rich Body hit a nice boundary before being caught for 6. This left at the crease the youth of Praveen’s brother Kiran, with the experience of Don Wilkie at the other end. With the score on 92 for 9, the excitement reached fever pitch as we waited with baited breath to see if we could get the batting point (no really, it was exciting).
We did.
102 all out in 45 overs.
And Vinny’s little brother scored more than he did.

Teas were provided 3 miles away in tea room no. 428 (past 3 car parks, 2 hockey pitches and dodge the arrows from the archery range) and were adequate, including such perennial favourites as egg sandwiches, cheese sandwiches and sausage rolls. Then a moment of excitement - some left over danish pastries from tea room 257 arrived, (although they’re not to be expected every week, we were told). But at least we got to work off some of the calories we had taken on board with the treck back to the pitch.

Before we go any further I should like to say Phil Rogers was away, Ian Marshall was ill, Tony Simpson and Norm Baikie were in the ones, and Alan Hogg went back to Corstorphine. Just so that you all know.

102 was never a big enough total, but we went out to get as many points as possible and Vinny opened from the pavilion end, I took the Castle end, and battle was commenced. Well not much of a battle really. The ball was swinging like a swinging thing, but they knocked them off for 2 wickets in 19 overs, despite our cunning attempts to delay the game (in the hope that the rains would come and save us) by allowing the batsmen to belt the ball into difficult to reach places, thus spending ten minutes fetching it.

We were all pleased to see the ones arrive at about half five to lend their support, having beaten Mitre convincingly, and nobody said “ what’s the point of them having 7 recognised bowlers and we’re missing all but one of ours? “, because we’re all playing for the Club…………..

MDCCII Batting - 102 all out from 45 overs

Batsman	how out	total
1. C .Watling	bowled	18
2. B .Marshall	bowled	23
3. B. Stewart	caught	10
4. A.Hutton	bowled	0
5. A.Lacey	bowled	9
6. Praveen	caught	6
7. T.Hothersall(cpt)	caught	0
8. D.MacLeod	bowled	2
9. R.Body	caught	6
10. Kiran	bowled	9
11. D.Wilkie	not out	4
	Extras	15
	TOTAL (45 overs)	102 for 10

MDCC Bowling - EUSCC 2 - 104 for 2 - 19 overs

Tom's Super-Trooper's Notch up First Win

Although neither witnessed or reported to your very own webmaster, a glance at the East League website on his return from sunny hot climes indicated a win for the Twos. Hurrah! I am sure Tom will be itching to get his report posted asap....and here it now is!!

Stenhousemuir 2 Vs MUFS 2 - Stenhousemuir - Saturday 4th May 2002

It’s Stenny, and everything’s feeling good. We’ve got a full team, with Tony and Norm back in the fold, and I win my first toss of the season - we’re fielding.

The wicket is soft but pretty even, and the outfield is great for sliding - there’s a good vibe today.

“Night bus” takes the new ball, and starts us off with a maiden, and John Norm takes the second over. All is relatively quiet until the 6th, when Norm strikes and they’re 11 for one. Next over it’s Tony’s turn and the other opener is out caught behind by Andy Lacey. Early wickets are great for morale, and there’s lots of movement and encouragement in the field, despite the fact that the ball starts to follow Paul “Hammy” Hamilton around, dropping in front, to the side and over his head. Finally it comes within reach and we’ve got them at 30 for 3, which brings the unforgetably named Pete Moses to the field, and Phil Rogers bowls his first over of the season in place of Norm. In his second over batsman No 4 tries to hit him over his head, and Brian Marshall takes a comfortable one to make it 33 for 4, and things are looking great. Unfortunately Mr Moses has other ideas and begins to batter the ball all round the ground, and very generously hits my first ball for six, as so many people continually remind me after the game. Still, if you’re going to drop anyone, the chances are it’ll come back to haunt you when he makes a big score, so presumably Norm, Paul and Phil were all haunted as Moses went on to score 57 before my hands, arms and left breast conspired to catch him at a very deep gully.

After that there’s little left to trouble the scorers, and they’re all out for 124 in the 44th over, with Tony Simpson taking 4 for 40 from his 15 (including a cracking c&b) and Norm Baikie taking 3 for 36 from 13.2, and everyone is quite rightly feeling proud of themselves. A good team performance.

Tea is ordinary, and a lot of people seem to be more interested in some football game between a couple of Glasgow sides than the cricket.

Chris Watling gets us off to a terrible start, caught and bowled first over, but then in comes Mark Watson to join Brian Marshall. 20 overs later and we’re 50 for 1, Brian’s on 43, Mark’s on 3. Unfortunately Brian gets a bit carried away and is bowled, which nearly leads to another collapse and loss of the game. “Len” Hutton is bowled for 4, “Hammy” Hamilton skies one for 2, Nick McLean cross bats and is bowled for 9 Andy Lacey shoulders arms and is bowled for 1, and Mark is finally out for 16 after 41 overs after a misunderstanding leads to a run out. Fortunately for us all, John Norm comes in at 97 for 6 and gives us a huge boost with a rapid and stylish 21, during which time your faithful match reporter has been in, adjudged lbw by Mr Simpson, and out again for 0 (I’m saying nothing, but next time Phil says to me “don’t send trigger finger Simpson out to umpire” I might heed his advice).

So it’s crunch time. 118 for 9, seven needed for victory - it’s 25 points or 6 for both teams.
Phil Rogers and Tony Simpson are at the crease, and I can’t look.
But Tony knocks a couple over the heads of the fielders and the scores are level, then two excrutiating overs later he does it again and victory is ours. There has been a strange atmosphere on the pitch all through our innings, with angry words exchanged amongst the Stenny players and silence greeting each new batsman to the crease, not to mention the vociferous support from the Stenhousemuir first team who had been rained off, which somehow made the victory sweeter. It would have been nice to have some support of our own, since the ones and threes were both off, but apart from for Rich Sorrell and Bala I guess it was a bit too far out of town.

Batting MUFS II 128 for 9 from 48 overs

MDCCII Bowling - Stenhousemuir II 124 all out from 43.3 overs

Accies 'Ave Upper Hand at Muirhouse

MDCC2 v Edinburgh Accies 2 - Muirhouse - Saturday 11 May 2002

After last weeks nailbiting victory, the Twos were brought crashing back down to earth, defeated at home by Edinburgh Academicals 2. Tom has pledged to get all his reports done soon!!

Phil now reports....

Basking in the euhporia of our famous win against table-topping Edinburgh Accies, thought we’d better write up the first half of this epic double-header. Well actually we were never quite in the first game, though we did well to earn the same points tally they managed in the match to come.

Choosing to bat first, Accies had clearly strengthened after last year’s relegation season. Without really hammering any of our bowlers, they moved relentlessly on towards a match winning total with ease. It looked like we’d be facing 230 plus and a declaration at one stage, but we never let our heads drop.

A good fightback saw a couple of important breakthoughs and then a quick tumble of late wickets. Nick McLean did well to claim three, Praveen took two and Don Wilkie one, then the Vice-Skip brought his tally to four by finishing off the tail with a (slightly lucky) treble-wicket maiden.

So 212 all out was a comparative success given their earlier progress - five points in the bag and who knows? Can’t remember tea, which probably means it was the same pie, sandwich and biscuit fare as usual.

Chris Watling with 18 and Andrew Lacey (24) helped moved the score on, but with wickets falling steadily, we never really looked like winning. Richard Body then put together a good 33 and got us to our first batting point. When he went, Don Wilkie and Nick McLean helped the Vice-Skip get us to 150 and a further two points before I went for one hit too many and was caught for 35.

A strange thing to say about a defeat, but we came away from this with a lot of pride. A good team effort had earnt us eight points and we were pretty upbeat afterwards.

Half a Game due to Rain

Holy Cross 2 v MDCC2 - Ferry Road/Arboretum - Saturday 18 May 2002

Well I recall that when I spoke to The Dentist on the phone at tea time, he said they had abandoned it but that they had the upper hand.... however match reports seems to have vanished as quickly as Brecks' front teef....but now a month later here comes Phil to the rescue...

A showery day in Edinburgh led to dodgy prospects for play at Holy Cross. So much so that the skipper surprised us all by winning the toss and choosing to get some batting practice before the rains came.

And practice we did. We practiced getting in, playing a couple of decent strokes, then giving our opponents catching practice from ill-advised shots. Our first six wickets fell this way, while opener Chris Watling watched in disbelief and held the innings together. Chris and his short-term partners nursed us towards the first batting point, while the rains stayed off and some off-field shenanigans held the interest.

The Holy Cross 1st team returned from a fruitless journey somewhere and decided to help their nine clubmates in the field. I don't think so. The league rule book was consulted, while appropriate phrases like 'spirit of the game' were bandied about. It eventually emerged that they only wanted to field, so we generously relented. Skip soon regretted this as he was the sixth man out to a catch by the 1st team captain...

That led to our best stand between the 2nd team vice-skip, who chipped in with a handy 22 and Chris - who brought up a deserved fifty with a cracking straight boundary. The rain then got heavier and the not out batsmen reluctantly bowed to the majority and accepted the inevitable.

An ordinary tea - with decent cakes but no hot liquid to wash them down with - followed, as we desperately hoped for a restart. At 162-6 off 47 overs against a team of nine, we were confident of a win. It wasn't to be, though hopefully Chris Watling' s sound 61 not out will stay in the MDCC record books.

Phil Rogers

Rained Off

MDCC2 v Watsonian 3 - Muirhouse - Saturday 25 May 2002

Game abandoned due to waterlogged pitch.

MUFS Catch a Cold

MDCC2 v Westquarter - Away- Saturday 1 June 2002

A narrow loss and a fair story to tell if the Captain Hothersall's text message from the airport is anything to go by. Apparently Mr Hubbard is stepping into the breach to write the report in due course...and here it is... though "Catch a Cold"? Wot sort of headline-busting title is that, Ol' Mother....surely "Stoned Mufs drop a Stash..." or somethin'..!!!! Anyway....

Hothersall’s motley crew arrived at Westquarter in high spirits. Having started the day with a team of nine, late cancellation of the Third’s game meant promotion for Iain Martin and Lawrence West, and we had a full team. The outfield matched the clubhouse – almost finished - and inspection of the pitch showed rather a soft surface that would probably cut up and produce some variable bounce. Putting the opposition in, Vinnie opened form the shallow end and the first breakthrough came through very unfortunate circumstances when Westquarter’s Bob Sutton top edged a full toss straight into his face. Quite why his partner called for a single with Bob pole-axed and shedding blood was beyond the rest of us. Happily, he returned from hospital with considerable superficial (should that be superfacial?) damage and no broken bones. Westquarter started to build an innings, but some superb bowling from Iain Martin, supported by Tom, Vinnie and Rich Body, kept the run rate down and they took until the thirty ninth over to reach 100. Sadly, MUFS managed to spill anything and everything that was lobbed in the air or we would have had the opposition all out somewhere around this time. Still, a total of 167 looked very achievable on a pitch that had dried, hardened and not cut up at all.

Tom, racing against a holiday departure time, opened with Martin Stone, and successfully departed on time. Enter Old Mother who, like most regular first team players, failed to make a score for the seconds. Chris Watling and Brian Marshall followed, both contributing well in stands with Martin, who looked in good form and was scoring fluently. The score stayed ahead of the asking rate, and we were cruising to victory (helped slightly by Westquarter trying to outdo us for dropped catches) but then disaster struck. Martin, on 68 played down the wrong line to a straight ball and went, followed in quick succession by most of the lower order. Would we make the runs? Would we be all out? Had we made enough to secure the winning draw? Vinnie took charge and played out the last four overs – except he didn’t quite. Three balls to go and an uncharacteristic swish lobbed up a simple chance. Westquarter went wild. Final score: Westquarter 167-7 in 52 overs (Martin 4-28). MUFS 153 all out (Stone 68). What might have been if we had just held a few catches…

Scores on the doors....

MDCCII Bowling - Westquarter 167 for 7 wkts from 52 overs

MUFS II Batting - 154 all out

Rained Off

MDCC2 v Calton 2 - Grange Loan - Saturday 8 June 2002

Game abandoned due to a recent rain.

Rained Off

MDCC2 v Stirling 3 - Stirling - Saturday 15 June 2002

Rain had made the pitch unplayable and called off on the Friday.

Rained Off Again

MDCC2 v Sporting Club Heriot's 3 - Muirhouse - Saturday 22 June 2002

Rain had done its worse again and prevented the usual most cheerfully contested game, played as ever in a wonderful spirit, which one always gets with our Sporting Club Heriot's friends. . And it turned out so nice for a while!!

Loss against Uni Staff

MDCC2 v Edin Univ Staff - Muirhouse - Saturday 29 June 2002

A loss for Tommy's Troopers... report now follows...

Half way through the season already, and it seems like we’ve only played about four games………… Anyway, the rain stops in time for a 1.45pm start, and miracle of miracles, it stays dry for the game. The toss is won by yours truly (this is becoming a habit) and Uni Staff go out to bat and get off to a solid, if slow start. It takes until the 12th over before we get a breakthrough, and while Praveen keeps things tight at one end, by the 19th over BJ has taken 3 wickets and the score’s 41.

Unfortunately things go the oppositions way for a while, and a strong 62 from their number 3 shifts the game in their direction. A good spell for Ian Martin brings him 2 wickets before Chris Brown gets the big wicket with the help of Daniel Murrihy’s hands at cover, (who deserves special mention for turning out at the last minute after a no - show) and at 50 overs they leave the field with 170 for 6.

After tea (mmm…pies and swiss rolls…) I give the first outing to Scott and Ruben, our new Antipodean friends in their first showing for the club. Both look good, but Scott is soon bowled for 4, and although Ruben manages to stay there and work a good 33, his partners drop like flies around him, with only myself and Martin Ward getting double figures. By the time Ruben is bowled things were looking decidedly ropey at 70 for 5, and the collapse continued into farce as Lawrence West and Chris Brown decide to meet in the middle of the wicket to discuss whether or not to run, thus giving the fielders all the time in the world to run Chris out. A valiant 6 over stand from BJ and Iain at the death takes us to the 92nd over, but it’s not enough and we’re all out for 107.

With the exception of Ruben and a couple of others, a pretty poor batting performance, against a pretty ordinary attack, but the fielding was good, the bowlers put in the effort, and the atmosphere was great. An enjoyable afternoons cricket despite the loss. Now if it will just stop raining long enough for a few more games……..

Result: Uni Staff (25) MUFS 2 (4)

MDCC Bowling - EUCC 2 - 170 for 6 - 50 overs

MDCCII Batting - 107 for 10

Batsman	how out	total
1. S.Cook	bowled	4
2. R.Whyte	bowled	33
3. P.Hubbard	bowled	3
4. T.Hothersall(cpt)	bowled	10
5. M.Ward	bowled	12
6. L.West	bowled	8
7. D.Murrihy	bowled	0
8. Praveen	caught	7
9. C.Brown	run out	1
10. B.Johnson	bowled	8
11. I.Martin	not out	1
	Extras	20
	TOTAL (?? overs)	107 all out

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Win v Stenny

MDCC2 v Stenhousemuir 2 - Muirhouse - Saturday 6 July 2002

A win for Tommy's Troopers...

We arrived at Muirhouse to cloudy skies and a forecast of cloud and rain, but for the second time in as many weeks, the rain held off and a full game was possible.

Winning the toss again (I know, I know, I can’t explain it either) I put them in to bat and opened the bowling with Praveen and BJ, who both kept things very tight, so that they were 11 for 1 off the first 10. As the innings wore on, nothing very exciting happened, and I could see several stifled yawns in the field. I mixed up the bowling as much as possible and the wickets fell regularly, with everyone who bowled getting at least one, as the total increased equally regularly. Finally Praveen came back for his second spell and took three wickets in his first four balls (never mind the fact that one was a storming catch by Scott on the boundary and the other two were small children) to end up with 3 for 17. Matt Sebbens bowled well in his first appearance for the 2s, and Scott got 3 wickets although quite expensive at 40 runs from 7 overs. But at least it was done - 140 all out, definitely gettable, from only 46 overs (seemed like 76 to me). Time for tea

I was worried for a while - no pies on the table!!!! But they were still in the oven, and turned up moments later. Rather worryingly pink sandwiches though. And Mark Watson ate most of the choccy biscuits.

Back out to the sporting arena that we call Muirhouse, and we opened with Chris Watling and Ruben Whyte. We lost Ruben after 5 overs, but Chris and Mark Watson battled away against some rather swift bowling (although I believe the guy was only 15!) until they were bowled for 17 and 10 respectively, bringing Scott Cook and Andy Lacey to the crease.

This being Stenhousemuir of course, there was plenty of bad feeling on the pitch while they were fielding, including abuse of umpires and batsmen as well as each other, but their captain and I had a chat and we managed to calm things down. Scott went on to score 36 (hey, I don’t care that they were all on the on side!) before he was bowled, and Lawrence West soon followed him back to the bus shelter without troubling the scorers, but Matt came in at number 7 and together with Andy finished off what turned out to be a comfortable victory. Andy was unbeaten on 31, Matt on 11 and we had 14 overs and 3 wickets to spare.

We enjoyed this one.

Scoreboard extracts...

MDCC Bowling - Stenhousemuir 2 - 140 for 10 - 45.4 overs

MDCCII Batting - 144 for 5

Batsman	how out	total
1. C.Watling	bowled	17
2. B.Marshall	caught	2
3. M.Watson	bowled	10
4. S.Cook	bowled	36
5. A.Lacey	not out	31
6. L.West	bowled	0
7. M.Sebbens	not out	11
8. T.Hothersall(cpt)	dnb	-
9. R.Body	dnb	6
10. Praveen	dnb	9
11. B.Johnson	dnb	4
	Extras	37
	TOTAL (?? overs)	144 for 5

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MDCC3 v Accies

MDCC2 v Edinburgh Academicals 2 - Raeburn Place - Saturday 13 July 2002

Back to back wins for the Twos as Graham Lane's splendid 76 and Aussie Scott's half-century prove too hot for Accies as their total of 205 is overhauled in front of a jubiliant Mufs support at sunny Raeburn Place.

Toms report now received ....

It was the finest Saturday of the year so far, the sun splitting the heavens, but still the 1s and 3s games were off…….. up to the 2s to hold up the club’s end then.

As 1o’clock approached, we were in the enviable position of having more than 11 players, so I was able to drop myself from the team (I’ve not been in good form as I’m sure my regular readers will be fully aware). Phil Rogers had also stepped down (he was still having some trouble after dislocating his finger a few weeks ago) but agreed to substitute for the missing Praveen (who went to Roseburn, then Muirhouse before arriving at Raeburn Place an hour late!). Scott Cook was captain in my place, ably helped by Phil (who decided to stay on since Praveen was so late) and Andy Lacey behind the stumps.

Off the field we even had support - over the day I counted 15 supporters, (surely a club record?), including the President and Vice President, 1st team players, 3rd team players and others……….malaise? What malaise?!

So to the game itself. Scott lost the toss, and Accies elected to bat, facing the might of Tony Simpson and Norm Baikie on what looked like a nice track for batting. Everything was kept tight in the field, and they were only 12 without loss after 10. By 20 overs they were at 41 for 1 and things were looking great, and even at 27 overs, with the score on 68 for 2 (both wickets had fallen to Phil Rogers), we seemed on top of the game. But then, slowly but surely they started to pull away, as Ruben Whyte, Rich Body, and Matt Sebbens all bowled short but expensive spells. During this time the score climbed at a healthy rate and 40 overs saw them at 148 for 2. Their opener, Ostrowski scored 80 and number 4, King scored 47. The rest of the batsmen chipped in to bring the score up to 205 by the end of 50. Tony Simpson bowled very well in his second spell, taking 3 for 29 in his last 6 overs, and Norm Baikie was rewarded for his effort with a wicket at the end. The fielding had also been pretty good - a couple of difficult chances went down, but there were some good stops and plenty of effort put into the chasing.

Tea was less than inspired and a bit cramped in the corner of the bar, but the strawberries were a nice touch.

205 was a large total, but the wicket wasn’t helping the bowlers at all, so the chase was likely to be fun. Graham Lane and Brian Marshall opened, but by the end of the second, Brian was on his way back to the pavilion for 6, Scott went out at number 3, and the fun really began.

Graham was a man possessed! After 8 overs, we were 60 for 1, and Graham already had his fifty! From29 balls! He and Scott put together a partnership of 114 before Graham was finally out for 74, after he’d launched a six over the pavilion into the hotel car park. A truly superb innings that set us up for a fabulous victory over the top of the table side.

Andy Lacey then joined Scott at the crease and the two of them continued the advance (admittedly a bit more slowly - Scott’s fifty came off 62 balls) until Scott was caught for 53 (and 5 or 6 of those runs were on the off side!) and the score was 162 for 3 after 25. Surely we couldn’t throw it away from here? Andy Lacey was out for a fine 25, and Ruben soon followed having scored 10. This meant Martin Ward and Matt Sebbens were in the middle, and with 22 runs needed and 20 overs to get them in Martin called a quick single that Carl Lewis would have struggled to make, and Matt was out without troubling the scorers. But things then settled down as Norm Baikie went out to bat and he and Martin saw us home to 207 for 6 after 36.3 overs. What a victory!…..What a team…..What do you mean I won’t get my place back?

Result : Edinburgh Academical 2 (8) Murrayfield-DAFS 2 (25)

MDCC Bowling - Edinburgh Accies 2 - 205 for 6 - 50 overs

MDCCII Batting - 207 for 6 from 36.3 overs

Batsman	how out	total
1. G.Lane	caught	74
2. B.Marshall	bowled	6
3. S.Cook (cpt)	caught	53
4. A.Lacey	caught	25
5. R.Whyte	caught	10
6. M.Ward	not out	15
7. M.Sebbens	run out	0
8. N.Baikie	not out	12
9. P.Rogers	dnb	-
10. R.Body	dnb	-
11. T.Simpson	dnb	-
	Extras	12
	TOTAL (36.3 overs)	207 for 6

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Game Off - Rain

MDCC2 v Holy Cross 2 - Muirhouse - Saturday 20 July 2002

Game off due to rain.

Marshy's Pfeiffer all in Vain

MDCC2 v Watsonians 2 - Craiglockhart - Saturday 27 July 2002

A loss by 60 runs. Ian Marshall's "Michelle" is the main highlight of the Twos defeat. Report to follow.. but here are some piccies of the huge away support that turned up click on this link to view ....

Game off- rain

MDCC2 v Westquarter 2 - Muirhouse - Saturday 3 August 2002

Game off due to rain.

Game off- rain

MDCC2 v Carlton 2 - Roseburn - Saturday 10 August 2002

Game off once more due to rain.

Thunderous win for Tommy's Stormtroopers

MDCC2 v Stirling County 3 - Muirhouse - Saturday 17 August 2002

A comprehensive victory with a 200 plus score by Mufs (and Brains dismissed by a lady much to general mirth) then Stirling bowled out for 40 odd. Report to follow...

Defeat snatched from jaws of Victory

MDCC2 v Sporting Heriots 3 - Goldenacre - Saturday 24 August 2002

Full report to follow but 4 wickets for Praveen and 3 for Marshy had seemingly set the Twos up for victory as Heriot's were dismissed for 100. With Chris "Hairy Monster" Watling at the helm all looked set for victory. Then a collapso of the last 6 wickets for 12 runs saw Mufs 6 runs short. Poor Chris adjudged LBW on 49.

At last (several months later...) a report from Phil...

A FLAT ENDING, BUT A SOUND SEASON

This was so painful a memory that I’ve only just managed to put it into words. Okay, it was a meaningless end of season game, but come on. Starting the game with eight men on the field didn’t bode too well, but we worked hard to get into a winning position, before chucking it all away.

With the field placings set - just spread out, boys - we set about Heriots in unspectularly fashion. Praveen had a bit of wild opening, while the Vice-Skip was getting a bit too much swing (in a kind of leg side direction). Once I’d got my line right (and we gained three more fielders), things settled down, especially when Metronome Marshall came on to keep the batsmen well pegged back.

The season’s latecomer knocked off 3 for not many, while the Vice Captain had one caught by 2s debutant James Wignall. Praveen returned to complete a four wicket haul and secure his billing as the season’s top wicket taker - despite Marsh’s efforts to overtake him with 11 (I think) in his three games.

Fittingly Heriots’ innings was finished off at 100?? by a spectacular, tumbling catch from Richard Body. Brains was playing in his last match before heading south (to Oxford not New Zealand, so we’ll hopefully see him again) and made a great contribution in his only season with his fielding, batting, commitment, occasional good balls and falling asleep in the pub.

We set off strangely, with Chris West straining something with his first shot and calling for a runner - the Vice-Skip with the Skip’s undersized helmet perched awkwardly on his bonce. Chris got a move on, cracking a good few shots before giving a slashed catch. Chris Watling then did what he’d done all season, playing soundly and building a total.

Brian Marshall, Martin Ward and Brains followed Monty West back fairly quickly, Don Wilkie hung about without getting going, but at the other end the Hairy Monster steered us to within 20 of the total. However, when Don and then James were out in quick succession, we suddenly had doubts in our mind.

Tom came in at eight, hit a massive one high in the air - a catch, no a six, no let’s stroll a couple - then was out next ball to a full toss. Rogers entered as Chris, having carved out a fine 49, fell lbw in the next over. Praveen joined the fray - ‘I’ll play my usual game’ - and was bowled after a wild swing.

Dependable No 11 Marshall came confidently to the wicket, knowing that he and the Vice-Skip would win the game if they were sensible. At 94-9 (??), the latter’s eyes lit up at a short ball and he tried to pull it into the nearby trees and level the scores. It kept low and a decent season came to a flat end.

The captaincy team then got a bit of stick for changing the order to give everyone a chance for a decent bat. Though we always want to win, we don't want to do so at the expense of players who will only enjoy and improve their cricket if they are given a chance.

But let’s think fondly of the season. The 2s improved on last year’s win total and league position, and - given that we’re always (rightly) losing players to the 1s, but reluctant to weaken the 3s - we can all be proud of our efforts this season. There was a great spirit in the side, we played some determined cricket and had some fun.

Third XI Match Reports

3rd XI Warm-up game Vs Cramond

Iain Martin reports....

Well with temperatures hovering around the 4 degrees mark and driving rain (26 degrees and sun in Canaries..hee hee..webed !!) it came as no surprise to anyone that the game was called off - although Subby's (Cramond 2 capt) idea of having a roofed cricket ground in Edinburgh a la Millennium Stadium should surely be considered.... Gordon how are our finances? Predictably the sun was splitting the sky by 4pm.

Despite the lack of action it was very positive to have 15 people willing to play - 5 of whom even came down to the Gyle to make sure the game was off. However, when there's a positive there's always a negative and you'll not be surprised that Edinburgh Leisure again excelled themselves with the 'Parkie' stating that he would not have allowed the game to go ahead anyway as the rugby posts had not been removed - a health and safety issue apparently. Which does make one wonder what exposed manhole covers and bomb craters are? Further, no holes have been made in the Gyle arti for the stumps.

As we all know, the 3rd XI quest for cricket never knows defeat and after a rather large carvery offering from the Toby Pub in Corstorphine (someone even had 2nds....how?) we took in the Edinburgh Accies School vs Newcastle RGS school game. Another Geordie Victory as the Accies lost by 70 runs in a 30-over game.

Webed Addendum Apparently there is absolutely no truth in the rumour that the game had been scratched by opposition earlier in the week and then resurrected... 25 points have most certainly not been claimed by MDCC though...it was only a pre-season friendly...silly me..

A Scratched Victory

Apparently another game scratched by the opposition so another 25 points in the bag I believe - webed. Iain Martin now clarifies:

The second game was supposed to be against Edinburgh CC but they were unable to raise a suitable team as they had no adult players to supervise their kids.However, at 8pm on the Friday they phoned back to say they had a team. Unfortunately by this time we had already cancelled all our players and therefore claimed the points.

Another Scratched Victory

Third game vs Belvoir Corstorphine. For the second week in a row Corstorphine were unable to raise a team and awarded us the points. Unfortunately with the three strikes and your out rule approaching we might not keep these points for long.

Rain Claims Game...again..!!

MUFS 3 vs Cramond - 18th May 2002 - Roseburn

And still we can't get a game, as the weather saw the eventual cancellation of yet another game.

After a dreary morning, a window of opportunity suddenly appeared and it was game on. BJ, continuing in a long line of 3rd XI useless tossers (how old is this joke now?), lost the Toss and our batting skills were put to an early test.

A fairly pacey Cramond opening attack tested our nerve and we lost Breck early doors. An experimental No. 3 in Iain, then hung around with Neil for 17 overs, taking the score to 41 before being caught at slip for 6. Young David Aitkin (making his Muffs debut) then produced a couple of stylish shots before cracking one straight into his ankle - after being threatened with open ankle surgery on the scorer's table with Irn brew as anaesthetic, he soon recovered to replace Colin Stewart you at least beat Dad with 2! Unfortunately David couldn't add to his 5. Neil's heroic efforts ended with 12 runs to his name leaving debutant no. 2, Jon Sykes to accumulate the runs nicely including the only boundary of the day before being out for 16.

Cramond's demon spinner, Mr Dasgupta caused an all too familiar Barmy Army collapse as he took 7 wickets for just 11 runs and a disappointing 72 was posted. Further debutants Chris Brown and James Wignall at least troubled the scorers with 4 and 1 respectively. Special mention goes to James though, as he faced his first ever ball in a proper match. At tea he commented, "He'd never been so terrified"!! James it gets easier from here.... doesn't it??

The rain came and that was that. Hopefully we can use the new re-arrangement rule to replay the game in August.

Thanks to Andy Piggott and Martin Ward for umpiring and their reward is to play next week!!

Iain Martin

Callapso in the Rain

MUFS 3 vs Fauldhouse 2 - 25th May 2002 - Roseburn

Full report to follow when Iain Martin has recovered... quite amazingly given the amount of rain the game WAS played but defeat snatched from the jaws of victory... at an early tea the 3's had the beautiful people from out West at 30 for 6. They got to 101. We didn't by a proverbial country mile. Ahem... we got 15. D'oh.

Another Scratched Game Victory

MUFS 3 vs Leith Franklin Academy- 1 June 2002 - Leith

This tactic of not playing and collecting 25 points is unconventional but effective. But poor ol' 3s are getting starved of cricket. Not good for the League.

Piggott's Milestone but Three's Crash

MUFS 3 vs Dunfermline Carnergie - Pitreavie - Saturday 8 June 2002

Full report to follow (perhaps!)

An actual game for a change but perhaps some rustiness with all this recent damp in the MDCC batting machinery. Opposition bowled out for 123 - Andy Piggott reaching his 100 wicket milestone for the threes in its various incarnations (well done wee fella). But cheers turned to tears as the batting was true to Club type and managed only 34 all out.

Rained Off

MDCC3 v Trinity Academicals 2 - Roseburn - Saturday 15 June 2002

Roseburn pitch flooded according to the aquatic Mr Martin.

Rained Off Again

MDCC3 v Edinburgh 3 - Roseburn - Saturday 22 June 2002

Rain, rain go away.....

Rained Off Again

MDCC3 v Edinburgh 3 - Roseburn - Saturday 22 June 2002

Rain, rain go away.....

A Barrel-load of Joy for Threes

MDCC3 v Cask and Barrel 3 - Leith? - Saturday 6 July 2002

Victory for Threes. Full report perhaps to follow from Iain Martin... brief details are that CnB got fired out for 62 with Iain Martin claiming 3-2, Andy Piggott 3-7, Chris Brown 1-30, and Phil Rogers claiming 0-21 in his comeback from injury game (looney). We won as easily as a pint of IPA slips down the gullet losing only the one wicket (Cummings 3) on the way to victory with Brian Marshall and Old Mother Hubbard leading the way. Terrific.

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Scratched Game Victory

MDCC3 v Melrose 3 - Roseburn - Saturday 13 July 2002

Victory for Threes because Melrose were not being able to raise a team. Frustrating on such a nice day.

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No Fixture

MDCC3 - Saturday 20 July 2002

Thirds have a good day to be off as rain claims Ones and Twos games.

Watson stars in draw at Kisbet

MDCC3 - Saturday 27 July 2002

Full report to follow but Thirds have worse of the draw chasing 200+ against Kisbet, finishing on 151-1 with Mark Watson scoring 62 not and Mr Extras 49!!

Game off- rain

MDCC3 v Dunbar - Roseburn - Saturday 3 August 2002

Game off due to rain.

Game off - rain

MDCC3 v Carlton 3 - Roseburn - Sunday 11 August 2002

The rain held off long enough for the troops to muster... then it chucked it down all day.

Game off - rain

MDCC3 v Prestige Livingston 3 - Livingston - Saturday 17 August 2002

Game called off on the Friday due to a waterlogged pitch at Livingston.

Heavy Loss for Threes

MDCC3 v Cramond 3 - Roseburn - Saturday 24 August 2002

With a team arguably short of batting, Mufs strangely chose to bat first. The result unfortunantly was being bowled out for 39. A loss in the end by 9 wickets. Oops.

Midweek Match Reports

Norman Allan has kindly put pen to paper to record the tales of our midweek team....

Opening Midweek Victory

MDCC XI v Currie + Balerno at Muirhouse - 3 May 2002

First midweek of the season - and it`s not very warm !

C+B win the toss and bat. Breck (Stewart) has ducked the confrontation, apparently having gone, to re-live his youth, listening to the Moody Blues in concert.

We`ve got 10 players - nine of whom reckon that they qualify as bowlers so I give each two overs. Chris (West) keeping wicket says afterwards that there were only about three bowlers between us but the good news is that I reckon I`ve spotted at least six natural mid-off fielders.

C+B score 99 - 2 and look pleased with themselves.

Murdo + Chris open and, after two smacking shots, Murdo gets a straight ball which he misses. Chris hangs around for a decent 21, just as well `cos the next four (Messrs. Towns, Lacey, Hothersall and Fisher) live up to the we can bowl and field analogy by not troubling Willie Ritchie (perennial midweek scorer/supporter/drinking companion) overmuch. Rich (Sorrell) + Norm (Baikie) then carry us almost to victory with some severe clubbing (particularly John-Norm) before Lawrence (West) scores the winning runs. I think I umpired well.

Currie + Balerno 99 - 2 MUFS 100 - 6

MUFS win.

Mufs Merchiston Misery

MDCC XI v Merchiston Castle Staff at Merchiston Castle School - 16 May 2002

I could have sold tickets for places in the MUFS team for this game !

Not quite as glorious weather as last year`s epic night, but it`s still a lovely place to play.

Merchiston bat first and score 118 - 5. Dave (3 wickets) + Rich (Sorrell) bowl well and Rich - yet again - puts nearly everyone to shame with his fielding display.

Bala + Andy (Knight) get us off to a good start with 32 for the first wicket - Andy 21 - but after they go, only Dazza with some belligerent (I hesitate to say stroke) play - he scores 35 - threatens to keep us in the hunt. When he`s out, we play out the rest of the overs (Dave suggests a declaration might be appropriate). We finish on 104 - 8.

Merchiston Castle Staff 118 - 5 MUFS 104 - 8

MUFS loss.

Weeping Widows...

MDCC XI v Scottish Widows at Muirhouse - 30 May 2002

Well, we beat the weather again - the only dry night of the week.

We`ve only got nine players - included amongst whom are Rafiq and Arfan who have previously only been seen at Monday night nets and Rich (Body), New Zealander who, in his first season, has been at indoor nets, club practice game prior to season start and has become a 2`s regular (surprising that he`s still interested after all that exposure !) and are asked to bat.

After 13 overs, Bala, Chris, Rich, Dazza, John-Norm, NZ Rich and Rafiq are all back in the hut and the scoreboard is only showing 37. Widows take pity on us and as I trudge out to bat, Scott Miller sportingly offers that one or two of us can bat again to play out the overs. Scott has seen me bat before !!

Well, when Arfan departs 2 overs later, we`ve moved the score along to 63 and I decide to play my “I know Rich Sorrell can bat” card. Suffice to say, after 20 overs Widows are facing a MUFS total of 130 - 8 (Rich 35 no and skipper 39 no) and questioning their sporting offer.

In reply, Widows take up the challenge and their openers rattle a swift 29 off six overs before John-Norm entices one of them to spoon a catch to deep mid-on. This brings in Eddie Edwards who usually puts us to the sword. Widows 2 and 3 move fairly effortlessly to 66 off 10 overs before Bala nonchalantly plucks a ball (travelling as quickly as Dazza when beer is mentioned and about 4 inches off the ground) one-handedly out of space, some of us were still waiting for someone to fetch it from the boundary. After that, and due in no small part to Rafiq`s bowling (5 - 12, he`s wondering what this reference to Michelle is and we`re wondering if he also plays darts well), Widows subside to 98 all out.

MUFS 130 - 8 Scottish Widows 98 all out

MUFS win.

Maccabi Mayhem...

MDCC XI v Maccabi at Muirhouse - 6 June 2002

Beaten the weather again and bowl first.

Maccabi score 104 - 5, comprising mainly some lusty blows from Malik (although we did contribute strongly by failing to be convinced that he could hit anything on middle/middle and leg - and a fair proportion which were more likely to threaten a leg slip !).

In reply, MUFS can only total 80 - 7 after 20 overs. Arfan, Andy (Lacey) and Lawrence (West) are the only batsmen who can hold their heads up.

Maccabi 104 - 5 MUFS 80 - 7

MUFS loss.

University Challenge Passed- Allan Version

MDCC XI v Edinburgh University Staff (Parks Trophy 2nd Round) - 19 June 2002

The official skipper Stormin' Norman version follows...

I win the toss and elect to bat first.

Chris and Andy (Lacey) are going along cannily until Chris gets a doubtful (Chris`s opinion) decision and he`s out, caught behind. (The umpire - me - stands by his decision).

Andy`s out (caught behind as adjudged by me again!) soon after - 24 for 2 after 9 overs - and this brings together Andy (Knight) and Rich (Sorrell). They rattle the score along to 83 after 19 overs before Andy is bowled (Rich and I agree that Andy deliberately missed an easy, straight one in order that he could go and sit down). Lindsay comes in for the last 7 balls. At the end of 20 overs, MUFS 96 - 3.

Uni. Staff start off poorly against the tight bowling of Dave (Fisher) and Tony (Simpson) and lose their first wicket after 5 overs with only 9 on the board. Rich (Sorrell) replaces Tony and it`s progressively downhill for them after this.

Rich bags another Michelle (all clean bowled), John-Norm (1 wicket), Dave (1 wicket and he wants to roll up the wicket and carry it about with him for the rest of the season), Lawrence and Graham (Watson) ex- Grangemouth, see us easily through to victory despite the skipper dropping a dolly at short mid-wicket. Uni. Staff 38 - 9 after 20 overs.

MUFS 96 - 3 Edinburgh University Staff 38 - 9

MUFS win

University Challenge Passed- Sorrell Version

MDCC XI v Edinburgh University Staff (Parks Trophy 2nd Round) - 19 June 2002

Bit delayed by webbie-cock-up (been too much of that lately)- the great pretender to Allan's literary crown, Richie Sorrell's, version of the night's events...

Mufs entered the fray with match (yes richie wrote it this way) in a frame of mind somewhere between trepidation and foreboding. The opposition, unbeaten in Division 4 this season, had arrived and were practising a full 45 minutes before this match began. However the more experienced members of the team had seen this foolhardy over exurberance in the warming up stakes before and were unperturbed, almost gleeful at the prospect.

Mufs won the toss and opened with Andy Lacey and Chris West. The EU bowlers were reasonably pacy but the stoic West and Lacey partnership blunted and then punished the attack before both falling in reasonably close succession with the score in the 20's. West returned to the hut after an alleged tickle to the wicket keeper with the immortal words "Umpire saw something I didn't".

With the 20 over limit reached the scoring rate needed some severe acceleration and with that in mind Richy Sorrell and Andy Knight put together a partnership of 70 with lots of quick running and much panting of breath. It was a fine, almost warm, evening and with the outfield described as "tufty" boundaries were not forthcoming.

Sorrell seemed to take a liking to the leg-spinner on his way to a top score of 47 not out (was jug avoidance mentioned?) whilst Knight attempting in the latter part of his innings to hit every ball over square leg, was beginning to bat like an over excited, aggressive Ian Shiels steady...web-ed in scoring 21.

A total of 97 was considered to be pretty good and even more so when an opening salvo from Tony Simpson and Dave Fisher limited the EU to 10 for 1 after 6 overs.

Sorrell was brought on to replace the steady Simpson and struck 3 times in his first 2 overs. With Fisher tieing up one end the EU run rate had slowed from a trickle to a state of becalmnless.

Norm Baikie was brought on to bowl his usual bedazzling outswingers - finishing with the figures of 1 for 1 of 3 overs. Sorrell continuing to blast through the EU middle order finishing with figures of 5 overs, 5 wickets for 2 runs.

Laurence West, turning the ball prodigiously came on an' polished off the tail leaving Mufs winners by 70 runs.

So onto the next round with a home tie against Scottish Equitable. Hopefully we will be able to ensure Mufs retain this strong line up and invest energies in assuring a fair game against SE.

Richy Sorrell

An Unequitable Contest

MDCC XI v Scottish Equitable (Parks Trophy 3rd Round) - 27 June 2002

More for others to write than me but one witnessed a great fight-back out of the doo-doos batting wise by a super Simpson and an initially stuttering Knight to post 96(?) after being 19 for 5.... then super Sorrell tears out top order with 4 wickets, Tony Simpson and Norman Allan then wrap it up! Mufs victory an onward to the semis. And it was sunny.