2005 NEWS ARCHIVE |
2004 news stories and general lunacy can be found at 2004 News Archive. Previous years' news to that can be found at the following links News 2003 ; News 2002 and News 2001 .
"Its Chrisssssssmaaaaaasss". Sang some Brummie with outrageous sideburns (not Knighty). So a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to you all from Mr and Mrs Sicknote.
A message and piccies from Andy "Liberty" Knight can be found from the following link to a Tale of Mufs in the Bush (note: file size at 860k is a bit large for those of you not on broadband....). Cheers Andy, and a Merry Xmas and Happy New Year from all of us over here.
Stormin Norman stepped down as midweek fixtures secretary and captain at the AGM after several years stirling service, so with no-one stepping forward on the night then I pledged to take this on for now. So far a few fixtues have already been scheduled and I'm doing my best to avoid certain World Cup Games for all you Argentina, Paraguay, Sweden and Trinidad and Tobago fans. We will approach the usual suspects, but if you have any suggestions then I am happy to hear them - send them to me at ian_shiels@hotmail.com.
We will have the pleasure of playing Scottish Widows again, plus should get another game versus the Pressmen of the Scotsman and Eve News. Surely some of you bankers (BoS?) have teams that would like to try their luck against the midweek might of Mufs. Is there perhaps enough Mufs financial sector workers to have a Bankers XI v ...ahem ... Not Bankers? XI game perhaps? -payback for every unjust overdraft charge methinks. Or even a 6s mini-tourney (Bankers v Legal Beagles v Public Service Tea-Swiggers??). Let me know what you think. Cheers, Sicknote.
Those of you who read the ESCA Message Board will probably be already aware of this. For some reason the National Cricket Academy at Mary Erskine School will only take bookings for cricket on Saturdays and Mondays, great for frisbee players out there but not much use to the many cricket clubs who are vying for indoor nets bookings. Iain M has been promised our nets allocation 3 times now, but has yet to hear the outcome. When we do we will of course let you know as soon as possible. Obviously it is not a satisfactory state of affairs.
The "open" Sunday nets at Edinburgh Academicals Junior School will start again from January 8th from 2-4pm. Many of us go to these so hope to see more of you there in the New Year.
Next phase for our shiny new Nets Cage structure at Roseburn will be to lay bowling ends- Don has been investigating what grant funding is available and this is being pursued actively right now. Having invested in these Nets we would hope that outdoor nets attendances are more consistent next year - its not that none of us don't need the practice !
Finally, it's not quite the same thing, but there's a Mufs League currently running on www.stickcricket.com. To join go to this link to Mufs Stickcricket League. Password is "muffs". Currently Dazza is in the lead.
A couple of (not very) festive funnies for you to feast your mince pies on. As ever we apologise (though the first one is Gilly's fault)
"Man takes his son to the zoo for the day...
So when they get to the zoo, the wee boy is really disappointed as there is only one animal on display, a dog.
It was a Shih Tzu. "
And there's more...read it in style of a Ronnie Barker Newsreader skit...
"A charity pantomime in aid of The Paranoid Schizophrenia Association ended in chaos yesterday when someone shouted "He's behind you!" "
As ever, we apologise for the poor taste and quality of these jokes and any offence caused.
Please find a picture of a Shih Tzu in compensation...
The Parks Trophy 1st round clash with old friends and vanquished foe from the Final a year ago, Maccabi, has been set for Wed 17 May at Muirhouse.
These are the main outcomes of a somewhat sparsely attended AGM.
2006 Club Annual Subscriptions were set at £60 with reduced rates for Unwaged remaining at £25 and a new U-18 Unwaged Rate introduced and set at £10
The Club Officers were elected as follows...
1st Team Captain : Ian Shiels. 1st Team vice-captain remains vacant.
2nd Team Captain : Andy Gray. 2nd Team vice-captain : Martin Ward.
3rd Team Captain : Andy Cook. 3rd Team vice captain : Don Wilkie.
Midweek Fixtures Secretary and Captain remains vacant. In the interim Ian Shiels will commence organisation of fixtures.
Club Secretary : Iain Martin.
Club Treasurer : Chris Brown.
Club Auditor : Lindsay Towns.
Vice-President : Willie Ritchie.
Vice-President : Phil Yelland.
President : Don Wilkie.
Honourary Life Members as before.
Club Statistician : Andy Piggott
Also voted as ex-officio committee members were Henry Collin to join Keith Lawrence.
Thanks was expressed to outcoming officers. Full minutes will be available in due course.
An agenda for Wednesday's AGM can be downloaded from this link to AGM Agenda
Having finished a very creditable 3rd in Div 8 has reaped reward for the Threes as a bit of League reconstruction, now confirmed after ESCA AGM will see us in Division 7 next year. Jolly well done all!
In honour here's a picture of Don in his full glory...
Talking of which the ESCA AGM passed by without any great alarm or surprises. Highlights were that the One Overseas player per Team (not one by club!) rule with a tightening of player eligibility - a revised ESCA League Rule 8 - was passed. Also bowling restrictions of 20% max per bowler was passed - so for 50 over games its 10 overs each!
From Tom with apologies from him for the low quality of both the joke and the accents (have to confess when telling this to Gilly I ended up somewhere between a Jamaican and Geordie accent somehow, wye aye...ya maaan..
Two Mexicans are stuck in the desert, wandering aimlessly and close to death. They are close to just lying down and waiting for the inevitable, when all of a sudden...
"Hey Pepe, do you smell what I smell. Ees bacon, I is sure of eet".
"Si, Luis, eet smells like bacon to meee".
So, with renewed strength, they struggle off up the next sand dune, and there, in the distance, is a tree, just loaded with bacon. There's raw bacon, dripping with moisture, there's fried bacon, back bacon, double smoked bacon... every imaginable kind of cured pig meat you can imagine!
"Pepe, Pepe, we ees saved. Eees a bacon tree".
"Luis, are sure ees not a meerage? We ees in the desert, don'forget".
"Pepe, when deed you ever hear of a meerage that smeell of bacon...ees no meerage, ees a bacon tree".
And with that Luis races towards the tree. He gets to within 5 metres, Pepe following closely behind, when all of a sudden, a machine gun opens up, and Luis is cut down in his tracks. It is clear he is mortally wounded but, true friend that he is, he manages to warn Pepe with his dying breath.
"Pepe...go back man, you was right, ees not a bacon tree"
"Luis, Luis mi amigo...what ees eet?"
"Pepe...ees not a bacon tree...
Ees.....
Ees.....
Ees.....
Ees...a Ham Bush."
Fancy yourself as as budding Billy Bowden, enjoy wearing white coats, silly walks and giving your fellow players a bit of finger? Then read on...
"Sandy Scotland will again be running a course for umpires, prospective umpires, and interested players ahead of the 2006 season.
The first session will be on Wednesday 11th January, and the course will continue on Wednesday evenings for 8 weeks. Sessions are held at the CricketScotland headquarters at Mary Erskine School starting at 7.30pm, and last between 90 minutes-2 hours. The course is free, and leads to a globally recognized Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers qualification (ACUS membership required for exam).
This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the Laws of the Game, and about a job which, for better or worse, will affect every game of cricket you ever play. ESCA would like to encourage as many people as possible to attend in the interests of improving umpiring standards throughout the East League."
EL Secretario reports from the Edinburgh Parks Cricket Association AGM held on the 8th November 2005 at Edinburgh Synagogue...
Subs: Remain at £20 for 2006
Terry Newcombe Trophy: Rules Changed From 2006 .Old rules: this competion was for teams who lose in the first or second round (if receiving a bye from 1st round). However, huge delays in the competitions progress (2005 comp still at the 1/4 final stage) as the tournament could not start til mid June have necessitated changes to be made. From 2006, it will be a seperate competition with National and ESCA Division one teams excluded from the competition. Hence it remains a competition for the genuine Parks teams. Unfortunately this means the exclusion of MUFS for this season but then we always win (or should win) [web-ed - steady on tempting fate...!]our first game anyway in the Parks Trophy. It was passed without dissent.
So to the draw of the Elevate Parks Trophy 2006...
First Round
Mufs vs Macabbi - a juicey start to the 2006 cup season!
Leith Beige Academicals vs Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Drew Norloch Casuals - bye
Round 2
Drummond Trinity CC vs Drew Norloch Casuals
Preston Village or Marchmont vs Mufs or Macabbi
The new Terry Necombe tournament draw will take place in February once all clubs have been informed of the new rules.
A change of venue for the MUFS AGM on Wed 23rd Nov ... now at Muirhouse CSSA Clubhouse (not Murrayfield Hotel)... starting time 7:30. Hopefully we'll get Big Frank to stick some pies on too.
Mufs Parks Trophy 2006 opener will be against old friends Maccabi.
Message from a proud Tom... "Baby Caitlin born 12.18 weighing 7lb 1 oz. All bits as they should be! Lindsay fine". Congratulations to all.
A provisional date for your diaries - Mufs AGM should be held on Wednesday 23rd November 2005. Venue tbc - but probably Murrayfield Hotel. 7pm start.
As ever all positions up for grabs but there are a number of definite vacancies to fill as the present officials will be stepping down - 1st Team Vice-captain, 2nd Team Captain, 3rd Team Captain, Midweek Fixtures Secretary/Captain. Given the selection of last years original (and replacement) 2's and 3s v-c's for higher teams or being abroad then you can probably add these posts into the vacancy list too! The two non-officio members of the committee are also stepping down - Nasty and Knighty (the latter going as far as emigrating to escape committee duties!). Phew! will the last one left turn the lights out! And of course if anyone fancies a tilt at any of the other posts then do so. So over to you guys to help drive this club forward.
Anyone one wishing to propose formal motions should forward these to me at ian_shiels@hotmail.com and ijmartin@talk21.com. More details in due course.
A message from Cricket Scotland for the wealthier amongst us!...
"The Cricket Scotland Annual Awards Dinner will be held at Murrayfield Stadium on November 30th. We are offering a special 50% discounted rate to cricket clubs of £500 for a table of 10 or £50 per person to attend this event.
Guest speakers for the evening are the most capped England cricketer of all time Alec Stewart, former British Lion Martin Bayfield and Scottish Cricket luminary Sandy Strang. Awards will be presented to the National League Divisional winners and the top individual performers from the International and club scene in 2005.
Should your club be interested in taking a table at this event or even a couple of places please call Cricket Scotland on 0131 313 7420."
A change again to the open nets at Edinburgh Academy Junior School - this Sunday 6 Nov the nets are from 4-6pm. Thereafter 2-4pm on Sundays till 18 Dec.
Update on the open Indoor nets at Edinburgh Academy Junior School, Arboretum Rd - this Sunday 23rd they are from 3-5pm not 2-4pm. Then back to 2-4pm next Sunday. There is a thread on the ESCA message board about these winter nets which is updated if times change etc.
The ESCA AGM takes place in mid November. There are a number of motions being proposed - these can be seen on the ESCA website (see weblinks page to get to the ESCA site. Of interest are motions to reduce number of max overs a bowler can bowl and a tightening of rules on the use of Overseas amateurs. Go have a read and let us know your views.
Missing our beautiful game? Indoor nets at Edinburgh Academy Indoor School off Arboretum Road, nr Ferry Rd, will start from Sunday 16th October from 2-4pm. 3 quid cost. Some of us will be there!
Ok so they have been a bit of a while in coming... but the Roseburn Net Cages and new nets have recently been delivered and installed. They are worth the wait and will be an excellent asset to outdoor practices next year. No more sliced top edges threatening life and limb to passing old ladies or heaves to leg causing mayhem to the bowlers in the next door net. Some pictures of the nets below ... thanks to Vesty Photographic Services
| Mr Belly opens the new Nets.... |
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| And enters deepest realms of fantasy with a pretend off-side shot. As if ! |
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| Gary Russell (of manufacturers Wright and MacLennan) at work while we are mucking around like bairns with a new toy.... |
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| The structure in its full glory.... |
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The nets include a ceiling-section (no more slogging now, eh) and hook readily onto the cage structure - takes about 10-15 mins to put up we reckon. And the nets can go up independently of each other. The steel structure stays up although is dismantable if we really really wanted to. So no more amateurish boy scout efforts with net poles and ropes thank the lord. I hope that having invested such time and money in this project that we may see more of you down for practices next year. Turn out was quite disappointing at times this year to say the least !
Next up is to get non-turf bowling ends installed. However for this we need to raise around 3 grand to get this done. Grant money may possibly get us a third of the way there (if we get any!). The rest is up to us - and that means all of us. More people joining the 100 Club would be start to help the club rebuild funds again for future projects - see our Treasurer or any other committee member for details - there is an old news item in 2005 about this. A quid or two a month won't hurt you surely!!
Many thanks to Ron Tulloch and Jim Galloway at Edinburgh City Council and Gary Russell of Wright and Maclennan (www.wrightmaclennan.co.uk)
Talking of net practices, while its too dark and miserable to make use of our new nets outdoors, we are considering either booking a few nets at MESC this side of Xmas or alternatively if there are enough of us interested, persuading Edinburgh Academy to start up their Sunday afternoon indoor nets. Interested then let me (Shielsy) or El Wardy know. I'm desperate for another bat !!
While here... the ESCA website has a number of motions posted up which will be considered at the ESCA AGM - if you want to let me know your views on these things then I'm, or any other committee member, are all ears.
Also we need to start thinking about an end of season bash (i.e excuse for a pish-up) and also the Annual Awards and an AGM !! All this side of Xmas. For the first of these how about a gathering to watch the feast of World Cup qualifiers footie from 2pm on Saturday 8th October? We could give Berts a chance to redeem itself after its iffy ale last time we were there! Any other suggestions gratefully received. And perhaps award din-dins in mid-November... same kind of thing as last year??? And an AGM in early Dec? Howzabout that then?
Spotted by our eagle-eyed Secretario...is Phil Rogers on tour?
"Rentaghost the Musical, Sunderland Empire, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear.Sun, 26/03/06
On Sale Wed, 21/09/05
Also at Oxford, Birmingham, Torquay and Hastings. (And Gardiners Crescent, Edinburgh)"
see Ticketmaster Website.
And so a picture of our very own Claypole in full splendid regalia...
Message from El Secretario which many of you have already got...
As you may now 2006 will see us embark on our second year of youth development work and as such we will hopefully see a rise in the numbers of juniors coming to practice and taking part in kwick cricket festivals etc etc. As such we will need equipment and there is a fabulous scheme being run by tescos. Its simple we collect vouchers - you get one for every £10 you spend - and we get equipment in return. For example 68 vouchers gets us another kwik cricket set!
My work is giving us a share of vouchers collected by staff here so maybe you could ask your work chums as well.
Please forward vouchers to me at 22 Jones Green LIVINGSTON EH54 8QB and I will process them all for the club. We have registered for the scheme and its a great way of getting much needed junior kit for the price of a stamp!
Iain Martin
Message from El Secretario, Iain Martin...
The East League end of season Dinner and Awards Night is once again at Muirhouse on Friday 7th October 2005 . Bar opens at 7pm. Dinner is served at 8pm. The after dinner speaker is Yorkshire and Scotland bowler John Blain. As usual there will be a raflle with a wide range of prizes.
Menu
Pate or Soup (V)
Chicken Chaseur with New potatoes and seasonal vegetables
or
Vegetarian Pasta Bake
Apple Pie and Ice Cream
Cheese and Biscuits
Tea and Coffee
Price £23
Please let me know if you'd like to come along to what is always a great evening and as hosts its good that we show a good turn out.
Thanks to Nasty Keith for this fine match report of our final on-pitch cricketing act of the year.
By Keith Lawrence aged 30
A merry band of travelling souls wended their weary way to a most attractive ground at Manderston house to finish the season with one last Sunday friendly. This was a timed match rather than a limited overs thrash-about - and so it came to pass that the game ended as a draw - but as a close contest, which both sides had chances to steal at the finish.
The Mufs innings saw the return of Ian "Sicknote" Shiels to his god-given role of opening the batting. All the hard work he's put into growing his belly this summer paid off in style, as the extra weight behind his shots helped him to scoop 49 runs into the leg-side. The game also saw the debut of Ashkay, newly arrived from Mumbai, who bludgeoned a fine 21 at a run a ball. Young Neil Yelland was rather less fortunate, being harshly run out without facing a ball thanks to a dodgy call from yours truly - I hang my head in shame.
Chris "Colin Montgomerie" West, Ali "Monica Seles" Amjid and Keith "Inzamam-ul Haq" Lawrence also made it into double figures, with Chris "Freddie Flintoff" Brown also contributing as Mufs were bowled out for a respectable but uninspired 139.
The Manderston batsmen struggled to cope with the fearsome opening bowling attack of "Oor Freddie" and "Ms Seles with a beard", who both make breakthroughs. Long, solid spells from myself and Ashkay kept the score in check, before the Belly returned to wreak havoc - Mr Shiels removed the main dangerman - ex Scotland and Yorkshire man (webed - its was his brother I think) C. Swan for 25 - finishing with 2 for 11 from 6 overs.
By this stage the required run rate had crept up to 5 an over, but with 6 wickets in hand Manderston still fancied their chances. They were to be frustrated by some good tight bowling at the death and finished 11 runs short, with 7 wickets down to boot. Mufs were never quite in a position to push for the victory, so a draw seems a fair result.
I think we can all agree that, as the season reluctantly implodes in upon itself in a sorrowful orgy of tearful farewells, cricket truly has the winner in 2005. Amen to that.
Nasty
Thanks to El Statto, Andy, for the 3s stats and well... me... for the 1s and 2s as season final statistics have been posted on our 2005 Statistics page. Read em and weep/rejoice as appropriate.
Cricket Scotland announced on their website that due to other clubs not meeting entry criteria then Edinburgh CC are now promoted from Division One into the National League, assuming their ground meets requirements. So Mufs Ones should find themselves once again in Division One as it will be 2-up and 1-down across the ESCA League. Phew ! Congratulations to all at Edinburgh CC.
We had our destiny in our own hands and we blow it with a poor performance, particularly with the bat against already relegated and previously winless Boroughmuir. Our Division One status now hangs by a thread as Fauldhouse (one point below us at the start) take 10 points off Grange by getting to 151 all out and so finish one point above us. Livy won at Watsons so we will finish second bottom to Boroughmuir. If Edinburgh CC do not progress through the play-offs and attain promotion to the Nationals then our Ones will be in Division 2 next year. If so, to be relegated by a single point is a gut-wrencher but we can have no excuses as over the season we have not showed the requisite quality consistently enough. Congratulations to Fauldhouse and Livingston on their survival. And congrats to Boroughmuir on their maiden win at the end - no excuses, they simply played better cricket all round on the day. Match details were Boroughmuir 122 all out and Mufs 101 all out.
Twos lost against Leith Franklin Beige at the Links. Leith scored 224 ao off 49 overs with Edwin Silvester taking 5-25 and Tom Hothersall 2-71 with Chris Watling taking 3 catches. In reply Mufs came close finishing on 210-9 off 50 overs with Andy Gray hitting a fine 66, Chris 22, Edwin 37 not and Henry Collin 18 not out.
Threes lost against Edinburgh who posted 215-7 with Paul Leonard taking 4-42 and Andy Piggott 2-43. Mufs finished on 107 all out with Andy Cook hitting 45. Threes finish up a creditable 3rd in Division 8 with 7 wins against 7 losses. Todays friendly v Broomhall was cancelled due to the earlier wet weather. Next weekend is the Botanics tour to Argyle and Bute and next Sunday after that is our final match with a game away to Manderston in the Borders. Contact Martin Ward on 07815 461627 for availability.
Thanks to you all for your efforts this year. Always look on the bright side of life... de dum.... de dum de dum de dum, etc
"Sickenednote"
All we would want is our destiny in our own hands at the end. And so after the dogged back-to-back wins v Livingston and Cramond for the Ones we have it. One final day victory against Boroughmuir and survival in Division One will be achieved. It has been a magnificent effort by the guys to pull ourselves clear of the relegation zone - by a single point from Fauldhouse who must have choked on their Sunday or Monday morning cornflakes to learn that both Livy and Mufs had triumphed in challenging fixtures and thus had clawed their way past them. Next Saturday we host Boro'; Livy travel to Watsons and Fauldhouse to Grange. One final heroic effort is required. Play Up Mufs.
El Statto reports on more records, achievements and PBs...
Saturday’s 2nd wicket partnership of 99 between Nadeem & Ali Amjid was a 3rd XI record, beating the 76 put together by Tom Snow & Andy Macleod against Musselburgh 2nd XI on 23rd May 1998. And as far as I can make out it’s the first time that we’ve won 4 on the bounce. Nadeem’s 2nd 50 for the 3s (previous 52 v Dunbar 23rd August 2003) and Paul Leaonard’s first 5 wicket haul (previous best 3-16 v Musselburgh 2 13th August 2005). Woo Hoo !!!
MDAFS 142-7 - Nadeem Amjid 51; Ali Amjid 34; Jim Fraser 5-19.
Penicuik 104 all out - Paul Leonard 5-19; Nadeem 3-12; Ali Amjid 2-27.
Mufs Ones defeated Cramond by 3 wickets at Roseburn and claimed a vital 20 points in the race for Div 1 survival. Mufs attack was spearheaded by Alec (3-16) and Mel (4-45) as Cramond are restricted to 148-7 off their 50 overs with Bailey (40) and Scully (48) mainstays of the Cramond batting. Mufs started well with Westy 30 and Tom (21) getting us off to a solid start, Sutha with an agressive 19 but, with a couple of wobbles later, victory still some way off at 102-7. However, Lindsay Towns hit one of his best recent knocks with 43 not out ably supported by Alec Liddell (11 not) in an unbeaten stand of 47 to take us to victory off 48.1 overs. Absolutely marvellous.
Meanwhile Mufs Twos were beaten by Westquarter by 38 runs, neither side starring in the field in a game with an end of season feel to it. Westquarter invited to bat first were indebted to an aggressive 61 by Abdul Baqi who certainly gave it some whacky. Sloppy fielding did not help our course as Westquarter posted 168-8 from their 50 overs. Mufs started slowly but solidly but hit trouble with loss of Matty for 32 and wickets fell regularly thereon bar some resistance from Sasid with 31 ably supported by Dave Ellis (13?). Once they both had gone any thought of victory fell away and we were 38 short in a good spirited game in the glorious late summer sun at Muirhouse.
Threes notched up another victory with Paul Leonard claiming a career first Pfeiffer against Penicuik 3s at the Meadows.
Sunday sees the club off to Arran for a friendly (and Knighty's last) fixture.
Mufs enjoyed a clean sweep across the board with all 3 teams posting victories, comfortable for Twos and Threes. But distinctly uncomfortable for Ones in the basement blockbuster v Livingston at Muirhouse. Mufs seemed set for a vital 20 points and to leapfrog Livy when with taking Alec 3-10 and Mel 3-20 Livingston were blasted out for only 79. Adam and Paul taking the other 2 wickets. However, it started to go horribly wrong as wickets tumbled leaving us at 18-8 and then 31-9.Our hopes hang by a thread, but patiently Mel Clench and Paul Eveleigh in his swan-song appearance started to chip away at the 49 needed to victory. The improbable turned to blessed reality as the victory was brought up with 4 byes. Mel with 20 and Paul 25. Fantastic stuff chaps.
Mufs Twos played a reduced overs game (36) against Edinburgh Uni Staff at Pfeffermill. El Sicknote made a return to action for the first time this season even despite the still dicky arm and his first act of his season was to lose the toss. Thus inserted into bat we responded well with Andy Gray and Scott Taylor making a solid start before Scott falls with the total on 25. Sutha then hits 34 before top edging a slog-sweep and Andy is run out with 27 to his name. Then Richard Park took over with a fine 48 not out ably supported by Sasi 12 and at the death by Lawrence West with 10 not out as we post 167 from our 36 overs. We quickly turn round after a rushed tea as we must be finished by 7pm at the latest or face being ejected by the friendly groundsman. The EUCC openers find Norman Allan (10-2-12-1) and Richard Park (8-3-9-1) in frugal mode as they were totally tied down, 26 runs coming from the opening 18 overs even despite some careless dropsies by us. Sutha takes over from Dicky and despite being a bit wild to begin with finishes with 8-0-32-2 thanks to a top-drawer catch from Andy Gray and a comedy catch by Sasi (cushioned ball from hands to forehead back into hands again!) Sicknote Shiels astonishes himself by bowling 8 overs of pretty straight stuff finishing with 8-2-18-2 and Martin Ward completed the set with 2-0-8-1. Victory by 86 runs - great team effort chaps.
Threes completed a club clean sweep for the Saturday with victory over Musselburgh - details from El Yelly... "Musselburgh batted first and were 0 for 3; 4 for 4 to 104 all out. It was a tidy MUFS performance in the field with Paul Leonard picking up 3 wickets, two apiece for Ali, Carl Jansen and one apiece for Ian (new lad from the army) and Iain Martin, the latter of whom bowled with no luck. There was also an excellent run out. We got off to a similar start - 12 for 4. I then put on 50 with Andy Cook before being bowled for 31. Andy made 20 and did really well. Paul made 19 not out and Simon Flanagan 11 not as we got home with four overs and five wickets to spare."
Tuesday sees a midweek game at the Meadows I believe.
Despite the downpour in the middle of the afternoon all Mufs games were eventually completed with Threes claiming the only victory on the day.
Mufs Ones took on the challenge of Edinburgh CC at Leith Academy. ECC batted first and posted 281-6 with pro Nazir top scorer with a quickfire 90 and old friend from Maccabi midweeks, Raja Javed, with 46. Some spilled chances and indifferent ground fielding in the second half of the game did not help the Mufs cause as we came under intense pressure after early good work had restricted the ECC openers. Bravely battling away with the ball, Rich and Adam claimed 2 wickets and Mel and Alec one apiece; JNB and Phil the other bowlers used. In reply, Mufs had a real go at it with positive batting forcing ECC on the defensive. Andy Lacey played excellently for his 61 and Jaya hit form with 50 including the biggest of sixes you are likely to see which sailed back into the school grounds. But once they went we fell behind the rate as Nazir and Raja took 4 and 3 wickets respectively and we finally fell for 190. A good effort against basically a superior outfit and 8 valuable points gained.
Meanwhile, our Twos were playing Dunfermline Carnegie at Muirhouse. The Carnegie innings was dominated by their opener, Phil Doughtry who hit 125 in a total score of 176. Top bowler for Mufs was Richard Park with 5-36, Tom Wheeler 2-39 and Sutha 2-35 as the last 9 Dunny wickets fell for 33. Mufs posted 130 in reply with Sutha 24, Lindsay 23, Tom W 21, Sasi 18 and Ali 13 top batters with G Steward taking 4-48 for the visitors. Mufs taking 9 points from the game.
Threes provided some cheer with victory over Peebles at Roseburn. Mufs posted 159-7 with Ed Long 42 and Karl Jansen 32(?), Don a spritely 23 and Nick Hill 16. Then Henry Collin continued his fine form with the ball with 4-21 supported by Carl Trahmns with 3-20(odd) and Karl and Iain M with a wicket apiece with a run-out accounting for the other Peebles wicket.
Last Tuesday, at Muirhouse, Mufs defeated Bots in a friendly match in all senses of the word.
All of the club's League games this Saturday are rained off.
Last night's race night was great fun and about 170 squid I believe raised for the club. Thanks to Brownio for his hard work and fine comedy compere-ing. Shame on you if you didn't turn up!! Probably just as well games off for some sore heads today!!
On Tuesday, at Muirhouse, Mufs play Bots
A few photos of the recent Bots gathering to celebrate Bill Tait's 40 years in Botanicals cricket.
This Friday's race night starts at 7:30pm at Muirhouse - let's make sure of a big-turnout! Invite everyone!! El Brownio has posted a link to a publicity poster on the Message board.
Mixed fortunes for the club in the double header versus Grange. Ones fell to a 7 wicket defeat at Raeburn Place earlier posting only 119 ao, however, Twos got our revenge with a victory clawed from jaws of defeat at Muirhouse; again scoring 119 ao but this time forcing a late big collapse by Grange to bowl them out for 102 with skipper Tom taking 4 wickets and Ali 3. Marvellous stuff chaps. Threes game was cancelled.
No midweek Mufs game however there is a Bots game on Thursday - contact Iain M.
Pictures of Ones v Grange at Raeburn Place can be found at this link to Grange photos.
The 10th wicket partnership of 89 between Adam Scott and Mel Clench (pictured above taking the plaudits at Muirhouse after their match-turning stand) has been confirmed as an all time club record for London Road/Murrayfield/Murrayfield-DAFS. Well done chaps.
More photos of the Ones game at Heriots can be found at this link to Mufs V Heriots photos.
How Heriots must dislike our tail-enders! From a depressing 87-9 Mufs Ones were rescued by a brilliant last wicket stand of 89 by Adam Scott and Mel Clench to set up a victory charge by our bowlers against Heriots. Adam last man out with 2 balls to go for a marvellous 64 and Mel with a well-crafted 24. And another dose of revenge dished out for early season reverses as Mel followed up his heroics with 4 wickets for 37, Alec claiming 3 for 31 and the skippering Richy 3 for 14 as heriots were bowled out for 113. No Davie Ross to save them this time thankfully. Ones stats to date now posted on the new 2005 Statistics page as are a link to 3s.
A weakened Mufs Twos had a hard time at Stenhousemuir - batting first posting only 87 with Tom Wheeler top scorer with 41(?) and slumping to a 8 wicket defeat. Threes defeated Morton by 1 wicket in a nailbiter. Morton scored 86ao with Brian "BJ" Johnson returning to action with 3-5 and in reply with the bat Karl Jansen and Carl Trahms both with 15 ably assisted by Mr Wides (19).
A reminder that there will be a race night fundraiser at Muirhouse on Friday 29th July - big turnout needed. More details when we have them.
Threes stats for season so far can be found at 3s Stats.
Other stats to follow soon. Also I have pleasure in adding Matty Boyd's profile to the Player Profiles page. If you want to be included too then just send the answers to the questions set and a digy piccy if you have one to me at ian_shiels@hotmail.com. Lots of new people this year and several veterans still to make an appearance, so don't be shy!
Having been born far to close to France I commend this joke to you.... apologies if that does not sound rather PC...
An American tourist in London decides to skip his tour group and explore the city on his own. He wanders around, seeing the sights, and occasionally stopping at a quaint pub to soak up the local culture, chat with the lads, and have a pint of Guinness.
After a while, he finds himself in a very high-class area...big, stately residences... no pubs, no shops, no restaurants, and worst of all... NO PUBLIC TOILETS.
He really, really has to go, after all those pints of Guinness. He finds a narrow side street, with high walls surrounding the adjacent buildings and decides to use the wall to solve his problem. As he is unzipping, he is tapped on the shoulder by a London Bobby, who says, "I say, sir, you simply cannot do that here, you know."
"I'm very sorry, officer," replies the American, "but I really, really HAVE TO GO, and I just can't find a public toilet."
"Ah, yes," said the Bobby, "Just follow me". He leads him to a back "delivery alley", then along a wall to a gate, which he opens.
"In there," points the Bobby. "Whiz away SIR, anywhere you want."
The fellow enters and finds himself in the most beautiful garden he has ever seen. Manicured grass lawns, statuary, fountains, sculptured hedges, and huge beds of gorgeous flowers, all in perfect bloom. Since he has the cop's blessing, he unburdens himself and is greatly relieved.
As he goes back through the gate, he says to the Bobby "That was really decent of you... is that what you call "British Hospitality?"
"No sir", replied the Bobby, "that is what we call the French Embassy."
El Presidente announces...
.On Sunday 21st August, we will be undertaking a Sunday game against new opposition, Sannox C.C..
Sannox C.C are based on the Isle of Arran on the Firth of Clyde and boast one of the most picturesque grounds in Scotland – last season it was the Scottish finalist in the most beautiful cricket ground in Britain competition run by Wisden Cricket monthly. The way to reach the island is by ferry from Ardrossan and that dictates the timing of the game.
Visiting teams to the island normally travel as foot passengers on the 9.45am ferry and are collected at Brodick by members of the Sannox team and ferried up to the ground. The game normally starts around 11.30 am with a break for lunch. The most likely ferry to catch back is the 7.20pm ferry which is the last ferry on a Sunday leaving the island. That means to catch the ferry we need to leave Edinburgh around 7.30am !!
The cost of travelling as a foot passenger on the ferry is £ 4.95 each way. For those who want to turn the trip into more of a break, it should be easy to do so as, with the schools back there is likely to be accommodation available on the island for overnight stays either before or after the game. The Ayrshire and Arran Tourist Board website can provide details – the island is great if you like golfing, walking or just relaxing.
Because of the transport arrangements, it is really important that we know who wants to play and whether they want to bring anyone with them well in advance.
So, if you are interested and want to play can you tell me AND Martin Ward. I will be going across to the island in two weeks time on holiday and it would be really helpful to have an idea of numbers by then.
Rumour has it that it might be the last appearance for someone heading to Australia.
Phil Yelland
Phil can be contacted on H: 0131-445-1010; W: 0131-476-8131 and Mob: 07749 277066 or email to philal@bun.com.
Mufs reign as Parks Trophy holders came to an end in the semi-final clash with Cramond, losing by 24 runs. Cramond were restricted to 115 with highlights for Mufs an excellent 5 over spell for only 10 runs by Alec Liddle and a 5 wicket haul for skipper Norman Allan; mainstay for Cramond a fine 49 by skipper Shaun Kelley. However, the Mufs chase started disastrously being 4 down for 8 runs at one point before Alec (28) and JNB (20 odd?) stage a recovery. However we were never really in the hunt and finished 9 down for 91. Hard luck chaps and thanks to Normie for sorting out teams etc.
Mufs Ones and Twos gained their revenege for early season losses by defeating Watsons and Dunfermline respectively. At Myreside Ones beat Watsons by 2 wickets, 'Sonians restricted to 143 ao with JNB, Keith and Alec all taking 3 wickets. Mufs victory was completed with Jaya hitting 55. Twos bowled Dunfermline out for 73, 2 wickets for Norman, Tom and Adam respectively , and Mufs won by 8 wickets in only 10 overs. Threes could not make it a clean sweep, defeated by 56 runs against Edinburgh (156 ao), but 9 points claimed.
Tonight (Tues) Mufs take on Cramond in the Parks semi-final at Roseburn.
A Mufs XIII proved too strong for a Maccabi X in Tuesday's midweek friendly at Roseburn. Mufs making full use of substitution rules and to good effect for those seeking warmth on the sidelines (or a lie down for Dazza)!! Mufs posted 119-6 with Adam 23 and the re- or de-habilitating Dazza 29 top dogs with the bat. Maccabi never were in the hunt thanks in the main to Nasty and Adam with 3 and 2 wickets apiece and finished on 45.
Thanks to Paul "needing nickname" Eveleigh, some photos from the last round of the Parks trophy v OCs...
| Norman Shaping Up.... |
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| Keen Spectator.... |
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| Alex About to Stroke it... (unrelated reaction I hope to "keen spectator") |
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In honour of the Umpiring Grim Reaper of Batsman, Bill Tait of the Bots, a game has been arranged for Tuesday 19th July at Inverleith Park 6pm start to celebrate Bill's 40 years of Bots cricket. Availability to Iain Martin methinks for those Muffer-Bots. See message from Chief Botter, Alan Bennell, below....
"This is a social fun fixture (with Tait style sledging-- all batsmen get assailed by several of Bill's wonderful stories.......) in honour of Bill' s 40th active season with RBGECC ! The event will conclude with liquid refreshment at the Terrace Café (courtesy of Anders Drew, we hope). Probably based on the 2 overs per bowler / 25 and retire etc principles. Some priority will be given to RBGE-linked players, and a smattering of the longer-serving external collaborators. Spectators, barrackers, and the usual groupies , and perhaps even umpires & scorers are also invited to attend. As it will also be my first game back after injury, I am suggesting that Bill and I will captain 2 vaguely matched teams". Alan Bennell.
Master Statto has delved into the archives and can reveal that so long there are no more call-offs then the 3s game v Musselburgh on the 13th August will be the 200th game of the 3s in its various LR/Murr/Mufs guises since 1989. In honour of this Statto is proud to unleash the following statistical masterpiece in the following excel s/sheet of All Time 3s Stats 1989-2004.
Andy recalls...."The very first game was against Dunfermline Carnegie 2nd XI @ Pitreavie on 13th June 1989, a defeat by 5 wkts. The first win was in game number 7 v Corstorphine 3rd XI at the Meadows on 24th July(?) 1989. Chasing 57, we were 58-9 !!!! Euan Stewart took 5-19 in that game and there was a mini pitch invasion at the end I seem to remember !! Only 3 players from the 1st game are still with us, Chris Watling, Neil Cummings and myself. 2 survivors from that first win, Chris Watling and myself."
The semi-final Parks Trophy game on Thursday v Cramond at Roseburn has been postponed as, unsurprisingly, no pitch was available for it with G8 and all that.
Well, it can't get much worse than this, surely? All three Mufs outfits were defeated on Saturday with batting displays in ones and twos at least that could best be described as shambolic. Ones plumbed the greatest depths being 7-5 at one stage before a rally from Messers Lacey (13), Towns (23) and Rogers (19) got us away from the humiliation zone at least into the relative comfort of just being pish instead with 73 all out. But what was also painful to watch as well was the way a possible solitory consolation batting point was chucked away without any great thought as to its possible significance in the final reckoning. 5% chaps !! At least the fielding and bowling was sharper, but Cross were never in any great danger of slipping up and a 7 wicket defeat and 2 bowling points was all Mufs reaped. At least Boro lost again too.
Twos fared little better, finishing with a disappointing 77, and that only reached thanks to 31 from Sutha. Mufs battled away well in the field and had Holy Cross 2s six down at the death. And to finish the tale of joy, Threes were outgunned by a strong Penicuik side who posted 225 for 6 with Mufs reaching only 54 - the last 9 Mufs wickets going down for 21 runs. So all in all not the greatest of weekends and the poverty of our batting remains - the return of Jaya was not the golden one we had hoped for and unfortunantly a golden of a different hue instead. But nobody died of disease or famine to put things into context for the day.
I'm sure all at Mufs would like to wish Craig Wright and the Scotland team all the best in the ICC Trophy in Ireland, Scotland's first game is tomorrow (fri) versus Oman in Belfast.
Mufs now face Cramond in a re-run of last years Parks semi-final which is scheduled for 6pm on Thursday 7 July (technically) away at Roseburn Park (assuming a load of crusty campers aren't strewn over the pitch!). Sure to be a spicy clash. Hopefully the same outcome as last year (but not the rather girly victory leap like mine last year!!). Availabilty to me and Norman Allan please.
A Mufs/East League XI is taking on a touring U-17 Team from Alice Springs on Wed 29th June (tomorrow) at Muirhouse. Also at Muirhouse Mufs take on Morton on Thursday in a friendly 20/20. Availability to Norman Allan.
Cheers, El Note
Threes made it a clean sweep of scheduled victories with a 23 run win over Musselburgh. Mufs made 134 for 7 with Scott Taylor making 42, Karl Jansen 22 and Mamoun a valuable 27 not out from 13 balls. Musselburgh were bowled out for 111 with Carl Trahms, returning from injury, with 4-34, Mamoun 3-27 and Chris Brown 2-5.
Meanwhile back at Muirhouse the Ones were playing their second game of the weekend, the re-scheduled season opener v Holy Cross, hoping to carry over the winning feeling from yesterday. Sadly the batting ran out of steam against Two Dogs and co to post only 128 all out from 45.2 overs. Top scorer was Andy Lacey with 38, Adam Scott with 23, Andy Knight with 19 and yesterday's super-hero Rich with 15, who was batting in similar vein until he holed out in the deep. 128 was perhaps 20-30 short of par. But the guys battled away to force HX to 73-4 at one point, skipper Keith Fraser dismissed for an aggressive 30, but an unbroken stand between the in-form Charlie Ellis (50 not) and Shannon Bonfield (17? not) saw HX home with 4 overs to spare, somewhat comically Charlie was dropped with 1 to win and 1 for his 50 and scampered the resulting single for his landmark and the win. Alec Liddle finishing with 2 wickets and Mel and Rich one apiece.
So the half-way point in the season has been reached, 2s and 3s are doing fine, 1s bowling is tasty enough but we must do better on the batting front in the second half.
Just read this sad news on ESCA website about the passing away of Roger Sardesai last night. Roger was a truly lovely chap and great cricket lover. Our thoughts are with his family and all connected with Marchmont Cricket Club.
Mufs Ones chalked up their first win in the league with a crushing 122 win defeat of Boroughmuir at Craiglockhart. Batting first Mufs began to stutter at 24-3, however, enter re-annointed skipper for the day, Richard "The Beast of" Sorrell to the crease to join the dogged Andy Knight. Burdens of captaincy were not in evidence as in a magnificent display of ruthless strokeplay and aggressive running The Beast utterly destroyed the Boroughmuir bowling. Having never previously notched up a League 50, Rich charged past Knighty in next to no time to chalk up that landmark and earn his first standing ovation. But the Beast was hungry for more and feasted savagely to bring up not only his century but also an awesome 150. Meanwhile Andy steadily rotated the strike and brought up his own 50, finishing on 67 before being caught behind. Mufs closed on a monster 242 for 5 with Rich finishing on 159 not out - an all-time Club record for the merged and pre-merger clubs beating the previous record of 152 not out by B Conely set in June 1997 v Leith Accies 3s. Also the stand of 203 for the 4th wicket is an all time any wicket partnership record beating Sickie's and Jayas 195 set in May 2004 v SMRH.
Boroughmuir were never in the hunt to chase down this score, with chief destroyer Nasty Keith Lawrence with 12-4-26-4wkts, Paul Eveleigh shrugging off a dicky shoulder to claim 5-1-12-3 late on; other wicket takers Rich 3-1-2-1, Phil 5-1-28-1 and Adam Scott with 1-1-0-1 to wrap things up at the end. So a priceless 20 points claimed and hopefully more of the same v Holy Cross today. Well done Richy.
Twos added to the sense of joy with their third win in a row. Stormin Norman Allan was near unplayable as he posted figures of 4-17 from his 15 overs ably supported by Nadeem with 3 wickets, Ali with 2 and Wardy with the other scalp. Leith bowled out for 125. Mufs chase was spearheaded by Matt Boyd with 64 as a 6 wicket victory is claimed. Great stuff chaps and keep this run going.
Threes play today at Musselburgh.
Norman Allan reports on more Parks success...
A mixed team (1`s, 2`s and 3`s) turned out in the Parks 3rd round tie v Old Contemptibles at glorious Meadows 1. After various bodies - sunbathers/drunks ? - had been removed from the field, MUFS batted first and were soon not a lot for 2 after the end of the first over with Adam Scott and Sasid misjudging both the variable Meadows wicket and also the catching ability of OC players. Enter JNB who with Andy Lacey initially and then Alec Liddell steadied a swervy ship and started to build a total. JNB and Alec put on about 60 before JNB was out. Alec and various others then got us up to 114 - 9 at end of 20 overs. Tidy bowling by MUFS (Paul Eveleigh, Jamie Sangster, JNB and Adam Scott) restricted OC to circa 65 - 7 off their 20 overs. Well done chaps - and next round of Parks will be away (again !) to the winners of Marchmont/Cramond tie.
Well we're back after a pleasant week (despite exam) down in Sunningdale sandwiched around a trip to the Castle Donington Ozzfest to worship at the alter of Ozzy, Iommi etc, ie shaking me remaining folicles at Sabbath; and a trip to sunny Sussex. And plenty going on in those 10 days with Twos turning round their season with back-to-back wins, Threes outgunned by a very strong (for Div 8) Livy team, and Ones season of woe continuing with defeat also at Livy and then a low-scoring defeat versus Cramond. Congrats to ex-Daybus and the crew - keep it going... the Ones have to dig deep and continue to believe in themselves, particularly with a vital double-header coming up this weekend. At the end of the day that the Club continues to field three teams for all league fixtures is a testimony to us when compared to other teams that are struggling. Remember to let club officials know asap of your availability - you have one call or text or email to send!
On injury front things are getting better slowly, JNB is back and should be fully healed after his hols, Westy is returning to fitness soon, Dazza should be ok for his first start once returned from hols too. Wee Carl's broken finger is near enough healed too - big Karl should be ok too I believe. Poor Graham remains sidelined. New injury in-patients have included The Hairy Monster's with a dicky back. As to the Lord of the Crocks, me, cast now off arm (thank god - insufferably itchy in this humidity) but medical advice is that there's no way I'll be swinging a bat in anger this season. Sorry chaps. Apparently I could putt if I was a golfer in 4 weeks. Hopefully Jaya can release himself from grocery duties next weekend too. As the batting cavalry should be arriving soon it is vital to remember that every point is sacred (cue Python song!)
In glorious sunshine at Muirhouse, Mufs crossed swords with their Parks final victim of last year, Maccabi. This time only a friendly. Still, it was played pretty competitively. Maccabi made 110 from their 20 overs, the spicy Raja Javed dismissed for 25 LBW to Nasty before he could wreak any great havoc. Mufs set off steadily in response with Adam Scott and Tom Wheeler to the fore. Mufs accelerated nicely and Adam notched his 50 at the same time as the 100 partnership was brought up. Not long after victory was secured with Adam 57 not and Tom 38 not (really 40 as outrageous wooden leg-byes denied to him!) and an unbroken partnership of 112. Jolly well done chaps.
The recent bad weather had meant that the groundstaff at Muirhouse could not prepare a wicket on the bog, and the option of using the artificial at Roseburn was declined by Edinburgh CC, so the Ones game was cancelled - hopefully we can re-arrange later in the season as one was looking forward to this spicy clash. The Threes game against Mitre 2s had been scratched by Mitre earlier and attempts to get a friendly came to naught. So it was left to the Twos to be the standard bearers for Mufs and dodge the showers. Sadly that standard lay shredded on the sodden fields of Pitreavie as Dunfermline Carnegie inflicted a 6 wicket defeat on our boys. Batting first Mufs did not perform and slumped to 70 all out and then claimed only four Dunny wickets as the hosts advanced to victory. A bizarre timed-out dismissal hardly helped our cause! Maybe we need our own pair of "Lucky Pants" given all the injury and form woe? (LP? I hear you ask...? see News archive - June 2003). Anyway, keep yer peckers up chaps and keep battling away.
On Thursday we take on our old friends Maccabi in a friendly at Muirhouse. Availability to Norman Allan at norman_allan@baa.com or see Contacts page for phone numbers. A List of Mufs midweek fixtures can be found at this link to MDCC Midweek Fixtures.
Next Sunday sees us in the prestigous SCU Trophy at Fauldhouse 1pm start, availability to me please - warning - you could be random drug tested, no joke! Cheers Sicknote.
Plucked off the Cricket Scotland website in case our coaches hadn't spotted it....."Andy Moles will be conducting 2 fielding sessions on behalf of the Cricket Scotland Coaches Association. Andy has kindly offered to put these sessions on to provide coaches with guidance and ideas on the skills involved in the art of fielding as well as demonstrate many different drills and activities that you can take away and put into practice at your club. The dates for these are:
8th June: Grange CC, 6-8pm. All coaches welcome. No charge.
15th June:Clydesdale CC, 6-8pm. All coaches welcome. No charge.
If you would like further details on these sessions, please contact Andy Moles on 07921 703978. "
As rain washed out play again at Muirhouse and Fauldhouse for 2s and 1s respectively, the 3s battled on in the damp against Morton at the windswept Meadows. Our correspondent from the front-line, Andy "El Statto" Piggott, reports on a stirring victory for the Mufs....
Morton won the toss and batted (webed... interesting tactic?). Ali Amjid (2-13) immediately struck with 2 wickets in the first over. Mufs never let up with a vice-like grip on the game as woor Henry Collin claims 4-14, supported by Chris Gray and the returning Iain Martin with 1-6 and the Donimator 1-14. Morton knocked out for 68 in 29.1 overs. Mufs cruised to victory by 7 wickets in 25.3 overs with Ali 17, Chris 16 and Andy Cook 17 not out. Terrific stuff chaps.
The start of our Parks defence, a game v Currie and Balerno, was re-scheduled for Tues 31 May at Muirhouse, however, C&B have scratched the tie so to the next round we go. We shall have a practice game instead on tues at muirhouse if there is enough demand for it - all welcome. Let me know.
A message from El Presidente attached.... at the following link to Yelly's observations.
Talking of youth coaching, as contained in Yelly's piece, Martin and myself have just about completed the coaching sessions at Dalry and Balgreen primary schools. Next step is to run open coaching sessions from 5-6pm on Monday eves before main nets. First one starting Mon 6 June. Anyone interested in also helping out then let me (Ian Shiels) or Martin know - particularly for Mon 13th as I'll be in Sunningdale, nr London that week - course and exam not holiday or golf !! Cheers, El 'Note.
Talking of nets, attendance at Mon eve sessions at Roseburn has been TERRIBLE! Surely you guys need to work on your games a bit??!! Nets will still be ON this mon.
As rain washed out play eventually at Muirhouse, the Threes managed to finish their game at Roseburn, no doubt due to us playing on plastic. Mufs reached 98 all out from 34.5 overs with Scott Taylor top scoring with 25 and Mamoun 21. Edinburgh advanced to a 7 wicket victory in 19.3 overs, Mamoun taking 2-37.
Back at Muirhouse, Mufs Ones lost another toss and were inserted by Grange 2s to bat on a sticky dog, reaching 54-6 until heavy rain made it impossible to continue; to the frustration of Phil Rogers who had raced to 14 from one over, but probably to the relief of everyone else. However, another 50 runs... who knows.
Two's Sunday game v Grange 4, and Tony Simpson's swansong appearance, was also a victim of the weather. I'm sure the whole club would join me in wishing Tony all the best in his move to Dubai.
This week's midweek fixtures sees a Mufs v Bots clash on Tuesday - let Norman Allan/Iain Martin know of availability- and then we start the defence of our Parks Trophy on Thursday v Currie and Balerno - availability to me. Both games at Muirhouse.
An update on RBGE News from Iain Martin....
As I'm sure most of you know by now The Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh have a cricket team and it is (increasingly) closely linked with Murrayfield Dafs CC. RBGE play mostly mid-week friendly cricket although they do enter the Docuserve Parks Trophy, The Terry Newcombe Trophy and the Brunswick 6's. They also run a splendid tour to Dunnoon on the first weekend of September. This year is the first year in their 105year history of having a captain who has never actually worked for the gardens, no surprises that it is myself, Iain Martin, for those that don't know me I'm also Mufs secretary. I am ably viced by the long-haired horticulturalist from Birmingham, Mel Clench and explorer second only to Michael Palin, Dr Mark Watson. Treasurer for 2005 is Mufs stalwart, Rob Fotheringham and Henry "Back in the Premiership" Colin is our database and contacts man. Vestman Ward is the "Apprentice" fixtures secretary to the legendry Alan "he fights cars" Bennell. If you ever fancy a game (fixture every week on Tuesday or Thursday) please let Iain know ASAP on 07973105818 (if sending a text, remember to add your name).
With the local derby against Drew Norloch Ltd falling to the weather, we went into our first tour game of the year with no practice. Innellan, having dodged the hail showers all the way from Dunnoon were pleasantly surprised to arrive at a Muirhouse bathed in sunshine. The Innellan openers had no answer to the double pace Bots attack of Mel and Ali and struggled to put any scores on the board until L James arrived in the mid-order. He scored 42 and was ably supported by S Els before Innellan were bowled out for 85 with the returning Mel claiming his 3rd and 4th wickets to mop up the tail. Every Bot player got a bowl and all bowled very tidily. Mel, Ali and Iain's 14 overs only cost 12 runs and Henry Colin once again put in a great spell against this opposition - I wonder in Dunnoon once beat Sunderland in the FA CUP.....probably! Anyway controversy at tea as only one tray of pies arrived... a rather red-faced Frank appeared to explain that the other tray was dropped at third-man! Given that there were over 500 people in the bar at the time following 2 football finals we forgave him... after he paid his 50 pence fine for the drop! RBGE started a little hesitantly and lost early wickets until Kris Parker steadied the innings with a fine 22 not out before retiring. Don exceeded all sweepstake bets at getting off the mark in only 7 balls! Vestman and VJ both made double figures before Mel and Henry saw Bots home with 4.4 overs to spare to secure a 5 wicket victory and bring the "Ashes" Centenary Trophy back to Edinburgh. Comedy moments largely surrounded a discussion on the News of The World article about what David O'Leary's text messages to a 24 year old Barmaid actually said. With a family audience reading this I cant go into much detail but it kept Wardy and Mel amused all afternoon!
RBGE MOM - M. Clench.
One of the toughest draws possible in this competition saw us make the short trip to Newfield (probably the best cricket facility in Edinburgh). RBGE were put into bat and enjoyed the conditions to score 105. Mel top score with 42 not out including one huge 6 over mid-on. Arfan and Rafiq also clubbed a few hefty blows. Ali and Mel opened the bowling and had Standard in trouble with early wickets. However, Ali strained a muscle in his shoulder and Arfan, bowling for the first time this year, was a tad expensive. Mel bowled his 5 overs for just 2 runs! Skip took over from the top end and kept RBGE in the game by collecting a vital wicket thanks to the safe hands of Rob Mildren at midoff. Standard needed just 7 off 2 overs and Henry bowled a superb over leaving Standard still requiring 4 runs off the last. Two dot balls from Ricky and could RBGE cause an upset... well no as a luck slog gained standard 3 runs to be followed by an easy single. Great game and a superb effort by RBGE..well done to all. Special thanks to Rob Foth too for umpiring and 12th man duties. Next up Macabbi on Thursday 19 May, 6pm Muirhouse. Availabilities to Iain M please.
RBGE MOM: M Clench.
Mufs took on Holy Cross last night at a chilly Muirhouse with the Arboretum chaps coming out on top chasing Mufs 89 a.o. - top scorer for Mufs was Sutha with an agressive 35. Other main highlight was a tremendous catch by Matty Boyd who promptly snaffled another next ball off Stormin Norman.
Next week sees the clash of Bots v Mufs at Muirhouse on Tues and then crucially the start of our Parks Trophy defence on Thurs v Currie and Balerno. Availability for tues to Norm A, and for Thurs to me, Shielsy.
A welcome return to winning ways as Twos and Threes defeat Stenhousemuir 2s and Penicuik 3s respectively. But a much improved batting display by the Ones to reach 184-9 at Heriots undone by a stunning unbeaten innings of 136 by opener Davie Ross. A useful 8 points taken but at further addition to the Mufs line-up of walking/limping wounded. Westy pulling a thigh muscle and Baikie badly splitting his webbing between middle fingers of his hand in addition to more minor injuries to Wheeler (ankle) and Mel (cut finger)!! Good grief! JNBs injury will sideline for a couple of weeks so stand-in skipper needed for the stand-in skipper!! Mufs starmen were Rich Sorrell with 45, JNB with 25, and Westy with 41 not returning to bat with a runner to share a 57 run 10th wicket stand with a very sickly Alec Liddle who posted 23 not. Top dog with the ball was Mel Clench with 6-1-19-4 - before being forced off by splitting his finger in his bowling hand. How costly was that for us, and, a close LBW shout against Ross early up that was not given? Other than that Ross's innings was mainly chanceless and an excellent display of aggressive strokeplay, particularly square of the wicket. Hats off to him.
Twos victory over Stenny was set up with Mufs posting 200-7 at Muirhouse. Scott Taylor continuing his fine run of early season form top scoring with 42, ably supported by Sasid with 37, the returning Matt Boyd with 22, stand-in skip Andy with 16, Edwin 14 and Sutha 11. Enter Tony, in his penultimate game for us before emigrating, who claimed 3-42 bowling right through his 15 in tandem with Norman Allan (1-51). Further damage done to Stenny by Adam Scott and Sutharkar who both claimed a double with the other wicket taker Edwin and a morale-boosting victory secured by 24 runs.
Threes continued the good work with a hard fought 12 run win over Penicuik 3s. Mufs posted 125-8 with Ali Amjit top scoring with 46. Penicuik restricted to 113 all out. Ali followed up with top performance with the ball with 4 wickets backed up by fine bowling by Henry Collin with 3 wkts, Paul Leonard with 2 and Chris Brown with 1.
Marvellous stuff chaps and great to see smiles back on faces after recent woe - but a shame the club could not quite make it a clean sweep. Today Mufs take on Stockbridge at Muirhouse - players needed! 1:30 start - contact Wardy.
A familiar tale this season of bowling that excelled but batting that failed. Hence our stay in the Masterton was a brief one as Marchmont gained their revenge on us for eliminating them as holders out of the Parks Trophy last year.
Marchmont batted first and struggled against a fine Mufs attack bolstered by debutant Paul Eveleigh who took 3-19 from his six fine overs including one stump shattering delivery. Nasty, Alec and the Beast all bowled well, Alec particularly economically, as Marchmont were restricted to 81-6 from their 20 overs. Fielding was sharp, so at the half-way stage a more than even chance of victory.
And so to the chase. Collier and Mathers bowled a tight line and over the first 12 overs we progressed along at 3 an over. Fine, if the necessary acceleration happened. It did not. And the big over needed never came. The killer spell came from Steve Clayton who took 4-10 in the second half of the innings, including a wicket maiden. Mufs 70-6 in our 20, top scorer Andy Lacey with 19 including some fine cuts. Without Mr Extras we would have been even further short than the 12 we were from victory.
Things are looking a bit grim and we will need to be mentally tough to turn it around. Our batsman are short of confidence right now, shot selection poor in cases. It will get no easier with the challenges ahead - we simply have to tough this out and work together at it (and the building blocks of batting - too many basic errors - too many bowled again going across the line - play straight guys! - you should know by now how Muirhouse plays!) for the breaks and form to return.
All the very best to Marchmont in the next round.
As some of you may know JNBs nightmare of a Saturday got horribly worse when his kitbag was stolen from the front of the club-house. Bizarrely it has returned, as JNB recalls....
"Very strange!
The bag was taken on Saturday but returned yesterday. It was left in the car park, probably yesterday evening. Matt's girlfriend found it next to her car last night.
Most of the stuff is there except 1 bat (the old one), gloves, helmet, 1 pair trousers, MUFS shirt, Reivers jumper, Nike cap, Durham sunhat and 2 boxes!! So they left the new bat, boots (bit smelly), pads, thigh pads, Worcester shirt & jumper (perhaps a Warwickshire fan?) Nike trainers and various other stuff. Everything has been moved so they had a good rake around.
Most bizarre of all - both pairs of Oakley sunglasses are still there!
Anyway, just glad to get some stuff back, especially the shades and new bat.
Norm
.... is the sunshine of Dubai. A message from Tony below... will be sorely missed both on and off the park. I'm sure we can ensure the Nightbus rides off into the sunset in style.
"As you know I'm shortly heading off to the desert and Dubai to pursue my HR career there, the weather will certainly be guaranteed anyway! My last appearance will be Sat 21 May and could you let the guys know that I suggest a small farewell drink in Berts (yes, you read correctly) after the games that night?"
"See you soon, or should I say ma'salaama! "
It's tough at the top they say. And boy did we make it even tougher. Mufs Ones batting, weakened yes by unavailability of last year's top order 1-6, still retained plenty of talent in its midst. Application of this talent was sadly absent on the whole as Mufs batting suffered a collective meltdown in being skittled for 38. It could have been worse, abject humiliation faced us at 19-9, only avoided by an hitherto unlikely top scorer in Alec Liddle (9 not) and Mel Clench (7) who managed to double the score. Watsons simply did the basics well by bowling a decent line and length, Michael Lynch taking 6 wkts for 10 and skipper Ross Brooks 3 for 7.
38 was not likely to be defendable, another 30 runs who knows, but commendably the guys got stuck into the Sonians batting, Richard and Alec claimed a wicket apiece; Keith took 2 and Mel bowled very tidily on his Ones debut. So defeat by 6 wickets and 2 points salvaged at least. Who knows how important those 2 points may be at the end of the season? We must fight tooth and nail for every point in every game and it was great to see that fighting spirit still in the field despite the situation.
Twos travelled to McKane Park to take on Dunfermline 2s. The Fifers finished on 208 for 3 including one finely crafted century; Stormin Norman Allan taking the 3 wickets to fall. Other highlights were steady bowling from Suthakar and a stonking gully catch by Paul Leonard. In reply, the Twos finished on 105 all out with Scott Taylor top-dog with a fine 33 and Sutha 20 odd.
Threes were narrowly defeated again. Musselburgh 2s were bowled out for 106 with Mamoun Shafi starring with an excellant haul of 6 for 20. Ali picking up a couple too. However, Mufs finished 15 short of victory, all out for 91 with Mamoun again leading the way with 25 and Big Frank 11 not at the end.
So not a good day at the office again. But let us stay positive and keep the belief in ourselves. Things may be tough right now with a number of key players missing but this is the time for mental toughness and sheer hard work to grind out every point. United we shall prevail. Heads Up Mufs !!
Finally, outdoor nets start-up again at Roseburn Park on Monday eves from 6pm weather permitting. Plenty to practice on I daresay.
Due to a waterlogged pitch tonight's Masterton match is off. Replay will be Wed 11th May, 6pm at Muirhouse.
Not a good start to the season as both Twos and Threes succumb to season opening losses v Holy Cross and Peebles. Details I have to hand are sketchy (nothing has been sent to me!!skippers???) but I gather Twos slumped to 80-odd all out but battled bravely back to lose by just 2 wickets. Threes scored 149 and I believe lost in last over. Match Reports will be posted when I get them. Ones match had been postponed to June. Sunday's game v Broomhall was cancelled as they could not raise a team.
On subject of reports, Andy Piggott blazes a trail with this match report of last Sunday's Threes Friendly victory. Ta to Mr P. If you are interested in displaying your comedy/tragedy writing talents and wish to write a match report then let your skipper know! Or just send it to me at ian_shiels@hotmail.com anyway! Please save MS Word docs as .rtf files before sending if you can, ta.
On Wednesday at Muirhouse, Mufs take on Marchmont in the Masterton Cup - if you are not playing then I urge you to come on down to support the Baikie boys in their quest for glory. Kick-off at or around 6pm. UP THE MUFS!
Apologies to Dazza and his back for omitting him from the Treatment Room - now added. Any others then let me know! As for moi, one finally got the operation to fix a plate onto the broken arm on Sun eve and released today! 4 days of being fasted did not please Belly. Problem was incoming victims of RTAs taking obvious priority for surgery instead. My attempts to recruit Indian and Oz doctors etc proved fruitless unfortunantly. Thanx for those messages of support and pish-taking.
Also, as we have a crop of new players having joined this year then I cordially invite them - and anyone else without one- to complete the Player Profile form. I will dig out the form in due course- but all you have to do is send me your answers to the standard questions set - see Player Profiles page . Likewise new look-a-likes - I have had a few suggestions over the winter too!!Furthermore, our sister midweek team RBGE have games on Thursday 20/20 (v Drew Norloch Ltd) and on Sunday 40 overs vs Innellan (W Coast Scotland). If you wish to be considered please contact Iain Martin ASAP on ijmartin@talk21.com or 07973105818.
Final indoor nets on Tues 3 May - same ol place! See u there.
"The Bandit"
How to tempt fate... part 1. Sunday eve... start preparing a new 2005 Mufs Treatment Room page for the website, new admissions being poor Graeme Watson who snapped an Achilles playing squash and Westy with a small bone broken in his hand. Added myself as a perennial feature with the usual dicky back, side strain, groin strain, brain strain. No doubt others to follow soon...
How to tempt fate... part 2. State categorically to the organiser of our regular works Tuesday lunchtime footy 5s that this week is my last because don't want to risk picking up any strains and sprains beyond the cricket-inflicted injuries during the cricket season!
50 minutes into the hour long game on Tues (and playing pretty well for someone with two left feet!)... in goal having a breather... shot flies in... parried and saved... but bone in forearm now making funny clicking noise. Bugger. One trip to minor injuries clinic confirms break of ulna bone and cue plaster up to arm-pit. Trip today to Fractures Clinic at ERI shows fracture was rotated a bit so surgery and pinning or plating of bone most probably necessary to get it to fuse cleanly. So in I go tomorrow am (thurs)... could be in for a few days as there's quite a queue for surgery this week. Perhaps they could do a little lipo too while I'm under!!
Anyway, place your healing hands on the photy below to heal Sicknote's arm. Next week's task, could someone find me a brain?
So as I will be obviously out for at least 2 months and probably more... then hail John Norman Baikie standing in as One's skipper. JNB will also be sorting out and leading the Masterton game on Wed 4th May. I'm sure you'll rally round Norm and give him your fullest support on and off the pitch - contact details of course on the Contacts page. Hopefully I'll be out to cheer our chaps on against Holy Cross 2s on Sat, if not then all the best guys and destroy them mercilessly please in the usual charming Mufs fashion. But I'll be out and about cheering on The Fabulous Baikie Boys, Tommos Troopers and Don's Destroyers in any case over the first half of the season - obviously I am beyond utterly gutted not being able to lead the troops out, take on all that Div 1 can throw at us, and in the Cups plus defend our Parks Trophy too in this most important of seasons! Sob.
My thanks to Wardy for standing in for me at tomorrow's lunchtime coaching session at Dalry Primary School. Yes the pair of us have been unleashed on the nation's youth! Very rewarding too. Our youth event mentioned below now looks likely to take the form of an open evening session to follow on from the sessions in the primary schools - prob late May.
Up the Mufs and good luck to all this weekend - yours, a truly sickened "Sicknote"
As some of you will be aware we have been in liaison with the council for some time over the installation of a steel nets frame cages at Roseburn. This is now reaching a conclusion. Your committee recently voted in favour of accepting the Councils' proposal for a purpose built twin-nets cage that, to avoid planning issues, can be dismantled at the end of the season. This will cost us around 1300 squid and it is intended to use the capital fund from the "100 Club" for this. More on that below. We are currently waiting the councils confirmation on this and approx timing. So in due course, and hopefully soon, no more amateur boy scout-like and frustrating stringing up of net poles !! Artificial bowling ends will be the next phase for this - and for which we will need to do some serious fund raising for. Next year's Edinburgh Marathon anyone??
Talking of the 100 (also known as the 50 Club)... this goes back into the former Murrayfield CC days and to be honest there are few current players subscribed. This we MUST correct as we cannot rely on a few current and several ex-players to provide us with future capital funds for projects. Our fault for not pushing it with the many new faces recruited over the last 4 years (and yes, shamefully, muggins here has not quite got round to join either which I will rectify). The way the scheme works is that you fill in a standing order to the fund for say one or more quid a month which buys you a proportionate number of picks for a monthly cash prize - the draws are normally held with a few months drawn at a time (I think such a draw is imminent and I publish results on the website). Obviously a proportion goes towards the club funds. With nets and container projects in the offing we will soon be emptying the fund. A couple of quid a month surely won't be missed so I urge you to join either through the standing order (we will get forms to captains etc soon) or paying in bulk - probably best giving this to our current Treasurer, committee members or if you can track him down the scheme controller ex-Mufs Treasurer Gordon Dalyell. Though I imagine he may be a tad busy with this Election thingy right now. (Can I just say what a bloody marvellous thing the NHS and all who work in it are at this point!?). (Can I also say typing with one finger takes bloody ages?).
There were mixed fortunes for the Club after the first set of fixtures - "warm-up" (perhaps not quite the right word to describe these) friendlies against Marchmont and Peebles on Saturday and Holy Cross on Sunday. Stars of the weekend action were the 3s with a comfortable victory over Mr Wilkie's former team Holy Cross. No broader smile could be found on a Sunday evening than on the Donimator. Batting first Mufs scored 128 from their 40 overs with Ed Long finishing 43 not out, ably assisted by Mamoun Shafi with 22 in a sixth wicket stand which dug Mufs out of a bit of a hole. Holy Cross could only make 64 in reply with Mamoun starring by taking 4 wickets and Karl Jansen 2 wickets. Special mention to Lawrence West who kept very tidily in his first outing as a 'keeper. Monty should be proud. Anyway a solid team effort - good stuff fellas.
On the previous and marginally less chilly day at Roseburn what could be described as "experimental" Ones and Twos line-outs both slumped to defeat. The Ones XI bolstored by a posse of Antipodeans, looking like they had arrived straight from a Limp Bizkit video, inserted Marchmont to bat on an interesting wicket, restricting them to 117. John Norman Baikie taking 4-16 and Andy Oakenfull 4-17. The batting never got going against some tight Marchmont bowling, Sicknote and Knighty finding the transition from Mary Erskine indoor surfaces to Roseburn grass tough going and both departed early for 5 apiece. JNB made one better and it was left to Chris West to salvage the ship with a battling 20 and Alec Liddle with a promising 12. But Mufs finished 41 short on a rather paltry 76 all out. But a good exercise to get MESC partially out of the system.
Twos faired marginally better. Chasing Peebles 175-6, Mufs managed 130 all out with skipper Tom Wheeler leading the way with 41 and debutant Kris Parker with a well-grafted 27 being the pick of the show.
Next indoor nets are at MESC from 7-9pm on Tuesday.
.Proof indeed that Piggotts do fly. These moments of aerial grace captured on Andy's recent trip to New Zealand. Rumour has it that a sizeable cash bribe from the Bowlers Union, requesting that the rope be lengthened by 20 feet, failed to arrive in time...
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Although haunted by memories of horizontal rain and arctic gale force winds at Meggetland last year, we have been daft enough to arrange a feast of pre-season friendlies for the weekend of 23/24th April at Roseburn. On the Saturday 23rd a Ones-ish and also a Twos-ish team will play Marchmont and Peebles respectively at Roseburn. The Ones on the grass. (Reminds me of certain Pink Floyd DSOTM lyrics !!). Kick-off at 1pm - tea on basis of bring your own sarnie or pie and juice. On subject of refreshment perhaps a good excuse for a couple etc of beers on that sat eve for the loonies!
On the Sunday 24th The Donimator's Barmy Army will take on Holy Cross 3s also at Roseburn. Contact the usual suspects (see Contacts page) to provide your availability. And please sustain that useful ability to inform captains' about your availability right throughout the season. Our skippers' might be able to do many wierd and wonderful things (Tom in particular in a bath with a plum and a carrot). Mind-reading regrettably is not one of them.
Next indoor nets are on Tues 19th Apr from 6-8pm at MESC. Excellent attendance last time round ... 30+ ! And more subs collected - good stuff chaps. Remember they are free to members.
Finally, a list of Sunday friendlies and Cup games arranged so far can be found at this link to Sunday friendlies and Cup games. Mr Ward is your contact for Sunday friendlies and myself for the Cup games.
We are delighted to announce that there will be a fund-raising Race Night on Friday 29th July at Muirhouse. Funds raised for the club will be "ring-fenced" to contribute to the re-development of the artificial wicket at Muirhouse. We of course will be also looking for a sizeable contribution from the CSSA Edinburgh. Having attended the CSSA Edinburgh Area AGM the other week then I can say that although their funding position is very tight the Area Secretary David Cant is keen for more funds to be spent on development of sport and facilities at Muirhouse - a switch of emphasis from previous Secretary who main focus was on the Clubhouse really. Anyone who played on the artificial later in the season will testify that it does indeed need replacement, however, we cannot seeing this being done until next season.
While on the subject of facilities, the CSSA have pledged 350 quid towards the purchase of a Container to be situated close to the "pavillion" at Muirhouse (yes - the tin shack). We have been waiting to hear from Hewden's about a container for sale however this has dragged on. So any suggestions gratefully received. Budget is in the region of 800 squid. Also we should have (hopefully good) news about the development of Net facilities at Roseburn soon.
Efforts to re-arrange the opening Ones fixture against Holy Cross have not borne fruit. So this game will be now played on Sunday 26th June at Muirhouse, so a busy weekend then. Our 3s are also playing Musselburgh 3s away on that Sunday.
As part of our continuing link with Cricket Scotland we plan to host a mini-festival of cricket on the morning of Saturday 21st May at Roseburn. Precise details to be worked through as yet so watch this space. It would be helpful if our coaches could progress their Disclosure Scotland applications as soon as possible. Andy Tennant can certify these forms and send to DS. Process thereafter takes about two weeks. Any others wishing to help with this event or other future youth work should obtain this clearance too. Forms can be obtained from Cricket Scotland.
While on the subject of youth development we will shortly be developing a Club Strategy on Youth Development and we are obliged to have a Youth Protection Policy. We will publish these, the first for general comment, asap. Of course any suggestions on youth development gratefully received. Speak or send your comments to me, Martin or Iain.
Other developments will see Messers Sicknote and Ward unleashed on the nation's youth assisting Cricket Scotland coaches in running coaching sessions at Dalry and Balgreen on Thursday and Friday lunchtimes.
Thanks to those who came out on Saturday - a healthy attendance of 18 ... ideal number for 3 net lanes really. Next nets will be on Tuesday the 5th April at MESC from 6pm to 8pm. Would be good to see some of the old stalwarts (particulary from the former Murrayfield club side of the house) that have yet to put in an appearance so far, finally shed some of that rust in the nets!
The following heroic Mufs subs payers join the Subs Hall of Fame... Scott Taylor, Karl Jansen, Rajendra Badu, Nick Hill, Rob Fotherington, Morman Allan, Lindsay Towns and Colin Stewart. Good on yer fellas. List of paid members so far (as known to me) is at 2005 Members List.
The next set of MDCC nets are on Saturday 26th March from 3pm to 5pm at the National Cricket Academy at Mary Erskine School. 3 lanes so need for pre-booking slots (thank the lord). Those who are full members of the club of course get nets free. So an incentive to pay those subs! Talking of which....(see next News item below)
Also, it looks most likely that Muirhouse will not be available for the first League weekend, so probability is that we will have to re-schedule the game v Holy Cross Ones for a later Sunday in the season. Twos game v HX2s which also had been facing postponement is now back on at the Arboretum. The Twos game v Grange 4 scheduled for Sat 21 May will now take place on Sunday 22 May, probably at Newfield. We also looking to arrange pre-season friendlies on the weekend of the 23/24 April. The first round of the Masterton Cup has provisionally been scheduled for Wednesday 4 May at Muirhouse - reserve date Wed 11 May. We will keep you posted as things become clearer and firmer.
The list below shows those super Muffers who are fully paid up members of the Club so far for 2005 :-
| John Baikie | Alec Liddell |
| Chris Brown | Iain Martin |
| Henry Collin | Iain Oliphant |
| Andrew Cook | Kris Parker |
| Paul Hubbard | Phil Rogers |
| Andy Knight | Ian Shiels |
| Vijay Kumar | Graham Watson |
| Keith Lawrence | Don Wilkie |
| Paul Leonard | Tom Wheeler |
And with a hall of fame comes an implied Hall of Shame... and that'll be the rest of you. So...
As you should know by now, Chris "Gordon" Brown has taken over from OMH at the Mufs Treasury. Club Subscription cheques (£50 full/£25 unwaged or youth) should therefore be sent to Chris Brown at 2F2, 1 Roseneath Place, Edinburgh, EH9 1JB as soon as possible on pain of death or maybe just something slightly unpleasant happening.
Spotted in a far away field known as the Basin Reserve in Wellington watching the Kiwi vs Aussie clash was none other then Mufs Statto and general tea lover Mr Andy Piggott. Rumours that he was asking, part time muffer and brother of Chris Brown, Simon if there was any chance of a lift home, are as of yet unsubstantiated.... It is also not known whether he was sporting any form of silly hat.
Now El Secretario's PC has risen from the dead, we can finally post a link to the Mufs AGM minutes (MS Word doc - a bit big at 3meg so may take a while to download - i'll put a smaller size version up next week.) Apologies for delay anyway.
Twos 2004 statistics (including pre-season friendly) are also now available at this link to 2s statistics. (xls file).
Also available is a copy of the Cricket Scotland Coaches newsletter - (1 meg pdf file) - very interesting article by Paul Hoffman on bowling techniques amongst others.
The handover at the Mufs Treasury is now complete. Club Subscription cheques (£50 full/£25 unwaged or youth) should therefore be sent to Chris Brown at 2F2, 1 Roseneath Place, Edinburgh, EH9 1JB.
The next indoor nets are set for Tues March 8. However we only have 1 lane for the 2 hours. Just letting all turn-up willy-nilly will lead to probable chaos. Instead, we will be splitting the two hours into three 40 minute sessions. The first session from 8pm to 8-40pm will be developmental work for Mufs Youth only with club coaches in attendance. For the next two sessions of 40 minutes we intend to provide 4x10 minute batting slots each - so with say 2 players bowling only and not batting we can have a optimum net maximum of 6 players for each session, again coaches to be present so we can work on you - let us know what you want to work on! Priority for these 2 sessions will go to Club Members first and foremost. So an incentive to pay your annual subs now, which also gets you free indoor nets as well, but please pay subs in advance to Paul Hubbard (tel 220-1503) (or me) - i.e. don't turn up on the night with subs cheque expecting a slot!! I will thus need to know from Club Members (a) whether they plan to attend, and (b) which session. Responses by txt to 07730 074174 or email to ian_shiels@hotmail.com please. If there are spare places after that (should be given paucity of numbers of paid members so far) then we will allocate these on a first come, first serve basis. If you are booked on a session and then do not turn up without giving us say a day's notice then you'll get charged, member or not. Sessions will cost non-members £1.50/£1 youth.
The sessions after that (next on Sat 26 March at 3-5pm) will have 3 lanes for 2 hours so less of an issue ! For those unaware, there are open net sessions every Sunday from 4-6pm at the Edinburgh Academicals Junior School (just north of the Botanics/Inverleith park off Arboretum Rd).
We are pleased to announce that our very own Iron Chancellor Chris "Gordon" Brown will be taking over the financial management of the Mufs Money-pot when OMH leaves for sunnier shores and ships in mid-April (handover date to be announced). I'm sure we all would want to wish Paul the best in his new venture and express our thanks to Paul for his excellent stewardship of our funds. Talking of which annual subs are due - please submit to Paul, Chris, me or indeed any member of the committee!!
A tasty home first round clash against our old friends from Marchmont, they'll no doubt be itching to avenge not only our double over them last year but also knocking them, as holders, out of the Parks (photo memories of a rampant Knight here). Should be a cracker. Full draw is on the ESCA website. Ties to be played by 13 May. I will let you know idc when ours is scheduled for.
El Secretario reports...."At an exciting Thursday lunchtime cup draw today we saw our first stab at the SCU Trophy take us to our old friends, Fauldhouse on Sunday 12 June. Should we be successful there a trip to either Perthshire or Kilmarnock awaits." The full draw ...
Ok it's taken me a while I know... but here at last for your delectation and delight are photos from the 2004 Bots-Mufs Tour games v Innellan and then Cairndow. Go to the Photo Galleries Page or use this link to Bots Tour Photos.
I guess that as excuses go for missing nets this is a good 'un. We are delighted to announce that Iain and Sue have got engaged, question popped most romantically on St Valentine's day. Congratulations and best wishes to you both from all at the Club.
Great to see such a good turnout of faces familiar and new at the Indoor Nets on Monday. Next one is on Monday 21st at 8 to 10pm again. Please bear in mind that the club does have a number of qualified coaches, Andy K, Martin W, Iain M, me (Ian S) and Phil Yelly. So if you want to work on something specific about your game then let us know. In fact in future sessions (now the cobwebs have been blown away with yesterday's session) we will be looking to work you more to develop your game - i.e. so it isn't just mindless slogging or thoughtless bowling. Can't promise miracles though.
A few photies of the Durban and Cape Town tests, and some beasties etc can be found at this link to South Africa Photos.
Also while here a reminder of club nets on Monday 14th !
And that we need a new Treasurer!!
Those at the AGM will know this already but we have opted for a calendar year membership from Jan-Dec so that way the vast bulk of players, bar newcomers, will be paid members at the START of the season. That way no selection issues of "but he's not a member"! So cheques (for now -see below!) to the Treasurer Mr Hubbard (7a William Street, Edin) or bring to indoor nets. My memory is dimmed by too much Castle Lager since the AGM but I'm sure we agreed on 50 pounds sterling for full members - half that for concessions.
Talking of Treasurer, OMH, the jammy bar steward and premier Mufs diver, is to take up a job in the Caribbean on a diving ship. Well done Paul (only downside is having to teach loads of Yanks, eh). So that creates a vacancy for the official Mufs Rottweiler sorry Treasurer. Any interested bean-counters fancying a go at maintaining OMHs legacy of firm financial control and exquisite book-keeping then let me or any other committee member know of your interest asap.
El Shielsio
Tickets for the Thurs 18th August glamour clash between Scotland and Australia are now on sale and probably will go pretty fast. Go to the Cricket Scotland website to buy on-line - of course if you take out the top Gold Saltires package you get entry to the Australia game included in your 100 squid. Pray the weather gods are favourably disposed. It would be good to get a solid Mufs turnout.
A date earlier for your diaries is (I think) 15 February where Ramps etc is in town holding a coaching masterclass - details from and interest to Iain Martin please. I would have more details but forgot to fwd the email to home account. Ooops.
Anyone wanting to redeem themselves for spending the early part of St V's night (14th for the unromantic amongst you) at Nets could take their t'other half (or not) to see Sagrenti at the Bongo Club - probably on at midnight, maybe a bit earlier (depends who is headlining!!) Big thanks from the band for those of you who turned-out on Friday, certainly some most excellent movin and groovin going on down on that dance floor.
After last season's Mullet Challenge what about this for 2005, our Secretario muses after coming across this article?...
New Zealand's nostalgia-loving army of cricket fans, the Beige Brigade, are bribing their own players to hark back to yesteryear by growing moustaches.
To the delight of the Kiwi contingent, their heroes will be wearing those fetchingly tight two-tone brown outfits in the Twenty20 match against Australia on 17 February at Eden Park, Auckland. It is the same gear as donned by members of the Beige Brigade themselves when they go on their travels - hence the name.
Of course, it's the look first portrayed by the likes of Richard Hadlee and Jeremy Coney in the halcyon days of the early 1980s. But whereas Hadlee and Coney were among those players to sport the archetypal bushy moustaches of that era, today's cricketers are either clean-shaven or sport a fuzz of all-over stubble, a la actor Russell Crowe.
The Beige Brigade, motto "It's About Fashion, not Passion", wants things to change. "Any player who fronts up with a real moustache on their face will get 'a lot' of beer delivered to their local cricket club," it announces in a media release. "If we're bringing back the horrendous colours of that era, then why not go the whole hog?"
Curiously using the 32nd anniversary of Hadlee's Test debut to launch the challenge, the Brigade warned: "Something more significant than stubble will have to be developed by the player to secure the beer reward - a thick growth is required. "There will also be bonus points awarded to players with straight hair who opt for a perm (Daniel Vettori, Stephen Fleming) and to those with curly hair who go in for some hair straightening (Kyle Mills, Hamish Marshall)." If New Zealand's players take this challenge seriously they are almost bound to win the match - the Aussies would be so overcome they would be unable to concentrate on cricket.
Latest from Cricket Scotland... courtesy of El Secretario...
Fantastic-value ticket packages for the third and final year of the Scottish Saltires participation in the Totesport National Cricket League are now on sale online and by mail order from Cricket Scotland. Cricket fans in Scotland can enjoy 10 major games at the Grange ground in Edinburgh in 2005 - including the glamour game between Scotland and Australia - for just £100. This sporting bargain of the year is one of three ticket membership packages announced by Cricket Scotland.
The £100 Gold Package gains entry to all nine home Totesport League Division Two matches against the English counties, and the Australia game on Thursday August 18. Last year, without a glamour game against a Test-playing nation, the Gold Star package was priced at £90. This year, subscribers will also get into the Australia game (full price £25), and all other Scotland matches except the C&G, for just £10 extra - amounting to more than 60 hours of top-quality sport.
The £50 Silver Package allows entry to any five of the Totesport League home matches, but not to the Australia game. And the £25 Junior Saltires Package gives youngsters under the age of 18 on April 1 entry to all nine Totesport League home matches, but not to the Australia game. Discounts are also available for Scottish Cricket Personal Members, OAPs, full-time students and Country Members.
Scottish Saltires skipper Craig Wright, who is also the Marketing Manager for Cricket Scotland, said: "We are hoping for some sizeable and enthusiastic support at the Grange this season, particularly as we prepare for the most important event of the year - the ICC Trophy in Ireland. "We are also keeping our fingers crossed for good weather on August 18 when we take on the Australians for what will be the biggest cricket event in Scotland since the 1999 World Cup. "This is an ideal way for people to show their support for Scottish cricket in a major year for the game north of the Border - and save a bit of money."
Each of the packages also include a range of additional benefits, including free car parking (subject to availability), a free copy of the Scottish Cricket Yearbook, 15% discounts on Scottish cricket official merchandise and - new this year - membership of the innovative TryTime affinity incentive bonus scheme. The Trytime system offers bargain DVDs, CDs, Videos, Books and many other popular purchase items at discount prices, while at the same time benefiting Scottish cricket with a percentage commission. Order your 2005 Saltires Membership packages online at the Cricket Scotland website.
Well well well. What a curtain raiser. Holy War as Mufs Ones and Twos go head-to-head with their Holy Cross counterparts on the opening game of the season. Ones then hit a series of games v the Seconds of Watsons, Heriots then Grange. Destroy Them Utterly, I say. Ahem. Three's open with a trip away to Peebles County 2s. Full listing of all ESCA fixtures can be found at the ESCA website Message Board. There is also on the main website a report on Div 1 last year which makes interesting reading. Know Your Enemy! Show him no mercy!
Full listing of ESCA fixtures can be found at this link to 2005 Fixtures.
This Friday 4th Feb sees the unofficial supplier of psycho african reggae fusion music to Mufs, Sagrenti (Gilly's crew) playing at the Canonsgait pub on the Royal Mile. All welcome with small entrance fee. I believe Mr Wheeler is celebrating his birthday there that night too !!
Well hello all again. Its great to be back (he lied). But at least I stop jinxing England now!! We had a jolly ace time. And I'll bore you with the photies on-line in due course. Anyway, as the pizza night never got going due to lack of interest (shame on you) we'll have a quiet drink or three in Berts on Saturday 29th January instead - all welcome. Cheers all and Happy New Year.
Sicknote
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