2004 NEWS ARCHIVE |
Well a couple of items of news for thee. First the make of Division 8 is a bit up in the air as two teams have pulled out. Secondly, movement on the Roseburn nets front - Phil Y has spoken with the Council and next step is for a site meeting at the Park so some hope here. Thirdly following the AGM please find a link to our revised Constitution. Finally, as some of you know Gilly and me are off on Tuesday to Durban and then Cape Town for the tests, amongst other things. So the website will be dormant until I get back in mid-January. Check the message board for any news that might arise - post your own message of festive cheer if you wish !! So have a good Xmas and we'll see you all in the New Year. Keep and eye out for "Hat" and "Belly" in case they make it onto the telly!
Sicknote
As the festive season approaches we thought it might be a jolly nice idea to have a wee round of drinkies at Bert's Bar on Saturday 11 Dec from around 8pm. All welcome.
While here... as indicated on the Message Board, we start the defence of our Parks Trophy with a spicy second round clash at home against Currie and Balerno.
More photos of not only the Final night triumph but also Knighty in all his glory at Marchmont in the quarter final and the recent lunacy of the Muftas Awards Ceremony can be found at the Photo Galleries page or direct from following links...
Muftas Awards Ceremony PhotosBreaking news of our plans to educate the nation's youth in the dark arts of cricket courtesy of Iain "Barnet Fair" Martin...seriously, this demonstrates the energy, ambition and commitment this club has to develop into a major player in Scottish cricket and youth development. You too can play your part in this - however small that may be !!
El Presidente, El Capitano and El Secretario met up with (El?) Acting East Development(o) Officer, Steven Knox for a lunch meeting on Monday to discuss the next steps forward and also to look at the various grants available to improve our practice facilities at Roseburn.
Roseburn facilities are an ongoing project which I can assure you Phil is progressing. It seems various grants could be available to further our cause and I am as hopeful as I have ever been that we could get a permanent net structure at Roseburn at some point in the not too distant future. I'm sure Phil will update us soon.
Moving onto the establishment of our Youth Section, we had a very positive meeting with Steven Knox and our plan for 2005 are developing as follows:
"Adopt" 3-5 Primary Schools and establish links with the club. Schools involved will hopefully be:
I also attended the Lothian Junior Development Group AGM on Tuesday. Firstly, a big thank you to El Vestio, Martin Ward for also attending. We got the first mention in Steve Knox's report, with him highlighting our objective of having a Junior section established by Easter.
There are a number of things we need to do and consider before then.
1. Establish Junior Development Plan. Progress: We will hold meeting with Cricket Scotland reps in New Year to progress.
2. Consider joining new CricketScotland Initiative, "Have A Go" Cricket Program. Aimed at 7-10 yearolds, 12 weeks in summer. All can help with this not just Level 1 coaches. All you need do is attend a 4 hour training course that will be run by Cricket Scotland for volunteers and sign a self-declaration stating no criminal convictions etc. (more details at next committee meeting)
3. Applying for grants from Morrison Trust and Robin Leith Trust.
4. Accompanying Steve Knox to the schools (Level 1 guys!!!)
5. Consider joining another new CricketScotland Initiative, The CLUBMARK scheme - this is amongst other things is a source of funding and provides the club with a 'healthcheck' from CricketScotland, including the production of a development plan. A meeting will be held by CricketScotland in the new year to introduce the initiative. Basically a club will be graded ie bronze, silver, gold according to various criteria.
Finally, if you have any spare time next summer, Douglas Goddard who organises the various age group Lothian Schools cricket matches is needing scorers and coaches/managers for next summer. Anyone interested, please let me know.
BW EL WORSTBARNET SECRETARIO
Our Indoor Net dates at the Mary Erskine School based Scottish Cricket Academy have been allocated. For those who do not know where this is then its off Ravelston Dykes Road which is about a quarter of a mile north of the Murrayfield hotel - go up the road past the MH and you can't go much wrong (if u end up in Haymarket you have). This year we are starting a little later (apologies to the romantics amongst you too iro the opening night!) so we are fresh and peaking just in time for the start of the season. Also to correct those opening day faults or polish sound technique even further we have taken the radical step of extending indoor practice into the season itself.
February 2005
March 2005
April 2005
May 2005
Some photos courtesy of a very Nasty photographer of a top night out to follow... but at last (sorry but I have been away/lazy etc) the nominees and winners from the Mufs Annual Awards Ceremony (The Muftas) can be unveiled from this link to Muftas Winners !
Photos now available at Muftas Awards Ceremony Photos or go to Photo Galleries page
In the continual absence of the much missed "Ed's Joke" the webdesk is delighted to offer this alternative from Don "Chubby" Wilkie.... enjoy....
Man goes to doctor and says "doctor I've got a cricket ball stuck up my arse"
Doc: "How's that?"
Man: "Don't you start!"
Insert guffawing of your choice
While here ... the following is a little thought-provoking...
Finally a reminder about the Annual Awards Dinner this Friday 12th at the Murrayfield Hotel - names attending to me please. We reckon cost for the meal etc will be about 15 quid - those who attended last year will know that its good fare!
Ok - it's only taken me 5 months to post them but a few photos of a most enjoyable trip to Comrie in the Small Clubs Cup can now be found in our Photo Galleries websection. Unfortunantly no snap of the Hothersall-Lawrence Chinese State Circus Act in action I'm afraid. More photos including Parks game v Marchmont and more from the glorious Final amongst others to be posted in due course (when I have time!!)
We now have confirmation of next season's most likely line-ups in the divisions our Mufs teams will be playing in and absolute confirmation of the promotion of our Ones. Hurrah again.
Statement via ESCA Competitions Committee:-
"With no club relegated from the National League and West Lothian promoted, rule 3.1 (f) comes into effect (1 down and 2 up). Because Dunnikier 2nd XI withdrew from Division 5, the 3rd placed club needs to be promoted from Division 7 & 8 (Morton and West Lothian 3rd XI). No other team is demoted from Division 5. Because Edinburgh 3rd XI have defaulted 3 times, they are relegated from Div 7 along with the bottom club Heriots 4th XI. Therefore the 4th placed club needs to be promoted from Division 8 (Cask & Barrel) There is a possible merger pending, the effect of which could mean one further team being promoted from Divisions 6, 7 & 8.
It is our intention to limit Division 8 to 10 clubs in 2005. Penicuik 3rd XI and Dunnikier 2nd XI need to apply for re-election. Mitre 2nd XI are applying for election. If all 3 clubs are elected, there will be 10 teams in Division 8 (providing no mergers take place)".
2005 Division 1
Division 4
Division 8
Hey, we are top of every division already - hurrah for us again.
Also,here's a report on Division 2 2004 by Paul Bailey for your interest at this link to Div 2 report.
A reminder that our Annual Awards dinner will be held at the Murrayfield Hotel on Friday 12th November at the Murrayfield Hotel - gather at 7 for a 7:30 start to the nosh. Partners welcome. Please let me (Ian Shiels) know of numbers dining, thanks. Menu details and cost to follow.
Sorry for the delay in announcing this... no other reason bar webmaster laziness...but here are the main outcomes of the AGM.
In terms of elected officials, no change with the Ones and Sicknote and JNB remain at the helm. A new team of Tom Wheeler (capt) and Paul Hubbard (vice) take on the challenge of getting our Twos promoted. Don is partnered by Scott Taylor as vice for the Threes. El Presidente remains with Phil Yelland; vice-Presi still Willie; Secretary, Iain Martin; Stormin Norman Allan remains Midweek Fixture Secretary; Paul Hubbard, Treasurer - with battle to resume again over accounting reporting policies with Auditor Lindsay Towns for another year. Club El Statto remains Andy Piggott. New post of Sunday fixture Secretary is held by Martin Ward. Two ex-officio Officers elected - Andy Knight and Keith Lawrence. The Honorary Vice-Presidents now become Life Members.
Formal minutes of the meeting with further details will be posted in due course.
"There can be only one!" did that Highlander film say. Now there's another one. Congratulations to Murdo and Emma on the birth of Charles Angus. In 20 odd years C.A. MacLeod will have a nice ring to it at the top of the order!
A reminder that the Annual General Meeting is to be held on Wednesday 13th October 7:30pm at the Murrayfield Hotel. You should have had a email from Iain Martin, Secretary with the proposed Agenda and a request for AOB items to be submitted to him. I also sent out a mail with the proposed revised constitution amendments. Here's a link to the revised constitution again .
Craig Wright has asked us to let you all know that there are a few places remaining at the CricketScotland Awards Dinner, with guest speaker Sir Garfield Sobers, on November 4th at the Roxburghe Hotel. If you or anyone you know would be interested in attending, or would like further details, contact Craig on 0131 313 7426 or e-mail: craigwright@cricketscotland.com
Further details on the ESCA Annual Dinner - being hosted by the Muirhouse Civil Service Club and Big Frank - are on the ESCA website (see our Links page). As a taster here's the menu. As host club we should put in a good attendance so those interested should let Iain Martin know.
Web-ed is back after a bit of a rest from all this!
There is the odd bit of news since the last news piece - DYC changed their name to Rajastan Whites but never got in contact with us so that game never happened. Bots tour was its usual good fun (some photos to follow eventually) with one win and one loss - star player of the tour was Tom Wheeler both with bat and ball - on tour off pitch behaviour of our Bots-Mufs players was only moderately scandalous. Last Saturday saw a friendly game (including BBQ!!) at Broomhall. Result was a Broomhall victory by 20 odd runs (I think) - their Dunfermline guest player being the difference really with a quickfire late 50. Starman with bat for Mufs was Mr Ward with a nerdling Collingwood-like 30 odd. Mufs committee have met - and meet again on Sunday 26th. Anyway... now to the big forthcoming events !!....
To celebrate the great double achievement of Parks victory and Div 2 Runners Up (and dare we say it promotion) we are going to stuff ourselves with curry. Date will be Saturday 2nd October - venue the Khukhuri Nepalese on West Maitland Street, Haymarket- provisional time 7:30pm. I will need numbers to book so let me know asap - at any of the contact details for me (Shielsy) at the web contacts page. Just wondering whether anyone would be interested in perhaps meeting up mid-afternoon - shoot some pool- quaff the odd pint - i.e. make a good day-out of it??
The Murrayfield-DAFS Cricket Club Annual General Meeting will take place on Wednesday 13th October 2004. Venue - Murrayfield Hotel - time: 19:30 I believe.
The ESCA Annual Dinner is being hosted by the Muirhouse CS Club (yes on our home turf!) on Friday 22 October. As hosts it would be good to have a decent turnout. Iain Martin, I guess, is the contact !
To further expand your waistline before Xmas then the MDCC Annual Dinner and Awards ceremony will take place on Friday 12 November at the Murrayfield Hotel - gather at 7 for a 7:30 start to the nosh.
Still waiting on final 2004 Season stats for 2s and 3s. Will post when I get them !
April 2004
May 2004
June 2004
July 2004
August 2004
Kidda in the money, twice !!
Cheers all and hope to see you soon at the various events coming up.
Sicknote
We have the honour - if their visas come through - of once again playing the Desert Youth Club of India - their only Scottish game in a tour of the UK. Provisional date/time Tuesday afternoon on 14 September. Availabilty to Sicknote and El Secretario.
The Bots depart this weekend to the Cowal Penisula for their annual tour which is always good fun and good cricket in the most scenic of spots. Memories of last year, including Henry's hat-trick, available in the photo galleries page still.
A Promotion and Parks celebration piss-up and curry for later this month (either a Fri or a Sat nite) is in the process of being organised by Sicknote - more details soon.
And so the end is here as the season ends. And a new beginning beckons as Mufs Ones will be playing in the promised land of Division One next year. A fabulous effort by all. Well done. Thoughts should now turn to how we can strengthen ourselves further for the challenges ahead. But we should allow a wee time for a bit of celebration. Back-to-back promotion and the Parks Trophy is a great haul for a club that has suffered a terrible run of injuries. Through that wall of pain for many indeed this year. I salute your spirit. Raise your glasses and toast the mighty Mufs.
And so to yesterdays game. Haddington call wrong and are inserted to bat on a typical Muirhouse sponge. The Beast of Sorrell starts well and soon has opener Lawson's stumps shattered for a duck. Stormin Norman keeps the shutters down at the other end. Richie then re-arranges Talbot's stumps for 9 with a peach of a leg-cutter and Haddy are soon in more trouble as skipper Cruickshank is castled by The Beast. Stormin and Beasty take a break and enter the Fabulous Baikie and Dino de Rogers show. The Haddington innings is strangled of runs as their batting legend, John Hiley is tied in knots. JNB bowls 7 maidens in a row and finishes with a magnificent spell of 10-7-6-1. The under-bowled Rogers gets a good run-out with a tidy 10-4-11-2. A clearly bleary (now who used to do this I wonder...!!) Mihir switches from spin to seam with 6-0-19-1 taking a very sharp return catch. The Beast returns for his second spell and cleans up the tail-end, including the promising youngster Chas Legget for 18, to finish with a magnificent 15-8-15-5. Stormin Norman administers the coup de grace with a second fine catch for JNB. Haddington 80 all out off 49.3 overs.
Another super tea from Big Frank and Co. with this weeks surprise ingredient being coffee which made the cake slip down even easier! Back on the pitch Kidda and Jaya are paired up with Jay needing 33 runs to finish with 500 runs for the season. Sadly it is not to be as, despite a great six, Jay is trapped LBW for 11 by the young Legget. Knighty joins Dazza and Kidda opens up with consecutive sixes to break the back of the total. However a flourish of wickets sees Mufs wobble as Andy (2), Darryn (37) JNB (4) and Mihir(4) all fall against the wiley slow stuff of Hiley (8.2-2-20-3) and Skipper Cruickshank (6-1-1-20). But Sicknote (7 not) and Old Mother Hubbard (9 not) ensure no further alarms with OMH having the honour of hitting the season finale winning runs. All that was left was for jubliant skipper Sicknote to spray a bottle of Bolly over his troops in best Formula One fashion. Thankfully one had brought a second bottle of champers to quaff! Many thanks to Wille Ritchie for his consistent support and diligent scoring and match return filling in all season and thanks to Don and Tom H for support on the day representing 3s and 2s respectively. Cheers chaps. Some photos of the day to follow soon.
A final 25 points taken that leaves Mufs Ones season performance as played 12 - won 10 - lost 2 and a final percentage of 88.33%. Great stuff guys, take a bow. Final position as runners-up to a fine Holy Cross side who demolished Penicuik yesterday by dismissing them for only 39 and losing just the one wicket in the chase. Congratulations to Keith and the Holy Cross boys on their title win.
The Twos were awarded yesterdays 25 points as unfortunantly Edinburgh Uni Staff were unable to find a pitch as theirs had been taken over by a softball tournament. No other pitches available from EL - many gone over to rugby which is disappointing. Holy Cross (them again!) 2s beat Heriots to finish above Mufs - another century from "Psycho"!!. Twos thus finish in a creditable 5th spot. Well done, chaps.
Threes were also awarded a walk-over as opposition could not raise a full team on the day. A 20-20 game was played instead at a blowy Roseburn- narrow loss for the 3s "8".
Bots beat Mufs in a low scoring affair at Muirhouse on Thursday - chasing 73 Mufs fell 12 short as new Bots Brummie, Melvyn Clench, who recently played his debut game for Mufs3, bowled a fine accurate closing spell on a (ahem) helpful Muirhouse artificial in fading light to put the squeeze on a short-handed (where was everyone?) Mufs.
Andy Knight has excelled himself with the production of new Club kit incorporating the new club badge design. Liberty has used the school holidays well as he has been up day and night embroidering and sewing shirts, sweaters and caps. Well done Liberty. Hopefully Andy will be at Nets on Monday to flog more gear - 12 quid for shirts and (long-sleeve/sleeveless) fleece-style sweaters and 6 quid for badged club caps (baseball style with real velcro adjustable strap for those with big craniums). A bargain 40 quid for the "full monty" (steady, Simpson!) of cap, shirt, sleeved and sleeveless sweater. Garments can been seen here at this following link to new kit.... (model supplied courtesy of Gutbucket Modelling Agency Ltd)
Orders to Andy Knight - contact: 07900 818706
The recent heavy rain has claimed, most frustratingly, another sunny saturday game - the Falkland pitch had been underwater and has not had time to dry out so the title chasing Ones miss out on any opportunity to close in on Holy Cross who play Marchmont today at Pfeffermill.
At Muirhouse the Twos earned what was in the end a comfortable victory against Preston Village nagged and cheered on in equal proportions by the watching Ones. But boy did you guys make it hard for yourselves with Fringe worthy comedy cricket at times.
Mufs spearheaded by Stormin Norman and The Nightbus get PV in a "Stone Cold" Steve Austin worthy tightest of strangeholds from the off. Incredibly it took PV 9, yes 9, overs to score a run off the bat and with 2 wickets lost in the process one a comedy run-out. The Count picks up another to leave PV at 8 for 3. In the end Tony bowls right through his 15 overs with an incredible 10 maidens and only 10 runs scored off him for his two wickets. Stormin takes a breather after 9 overs with 3 runs (and 2 of them wides!) conceded. Tremendous stuff by the Count. It takes PV 30 overs to pass one run an over. However, the PV mid and tail order wags and near enough 100 runs put on in 18 overs to take them to 128 aided by not the sharpest fielding performance as Mufs seem to go to sleep in the sun - where was the intensity and focus in the field lads?? More victims for Mihir's Fielding Academy at Nets I think. Seriously, a big thing the whole Club needs to work on next year big time.
128 on a very pedestrian Muirhouse wicket now poses a challenge that simply should have not been there. And Mufs pedestrian approach to the reply simply added to the pressure. Thankfully Old Mother, riding his luck somewhat (to the angst somewhat of Boris who offered one chance and was caught of it- with OMH surviving the most comical of drops by the PV keeper who tripped over one of his own fielders going for the simplest of lobbed catches - you had to be there to believe it) and The Wheeler-Dealer (30 not) craft a perfectly timed partnership to take Mufs to the cusp of victory. OMH's luck runs out as he perishes with just 2 needed for 46 runs and some well needed practice in the middle for the old DAFS premier batter. Out comes The Wierdy Vested One. The comedy cricket is not over as Martin scampers yards across the pitch to block the widest of wide deliveries. Cue guffawing all round. He makes amends by clipping the next ball for the winning two runs and the curtain falls on the entertaining theatre of cricket.
Some photos from the game are available at this link to Mufs2 v PV match photos. Sorry Tony but didn't get a chance to photy thee in bowling action. Our lady readers probably could not contain themselves if I did anyway.
Mufs 3s run of defeats unfortunantly continued with a loss by 23 runs chasing 132 against a very strong Peebles County. Highlights were 40 from David Philpott and new boy Melvyn Clench with a very fine debut of 8 overs with 1 for 12!
Wednesday sees the most wicked clash of Mufs v Bots at Muirhouse in a game sponsored by Butt Sports Equipment. Perhaps we should have a trophy for these games?? No quarter asked or given. If he's around (might be orff darn sarff picking up the motor) Sicknote would traitorously be turning out for the Bots ... I guess a mid-wicket will get employed???
A Mufs XI beat Berwick-on-Tweed on Sunday with Ali Amjit taking the plaudits with a top score of 29 and two wickets. Mufs batted first and scored 155-8 with also Nasty Keith with 24, Kid Jansen with 23 not, Phil Yelland 23 (ret hrt), Nadeem 19 and Claypole 12. Berwick CC in reply scored 128 for 9 from 40 overs (Ward 2-4 (!!), A. Amjid 2-12, N. Amjid 1-16) Three catches for Rent-a-Captain Jonty de Rogers. Jolly good stuff.
All Saturday games have fallen victim to either the poor weather making it mission impossible for groundsmen or, for the 3s friendly, that the opposition could not get a team in the end. With the Ones being off, they are now guaranteed at least second place in Div 2 so will be promoted (well done all!) unless something dramatic happens with the League. However we will not let up in our pursuit of Holy Cross and the title. Come on the Marchmont boys!!
We have another Sunday friendly this weekend, away at Berwick-on_Tweed (not North Berwick as I thought -oops). Places I believe still available so please contact Martin Ward at his email (bulleid@bulleid.force9.co.uk) or his moby 07815 461627.
Photos from the very successful Sagrenti gig (at least something went right last Saturday!!) can be found either through browsing our Photo Galleries webpage or from this link to Sagrenti Gig in the Gardens. Sagrenti close the Arts for Life South African Celebration Festival at the Ross Bandstand in Princess St Gardens on Sunday 22 August. No charge and all very welcome.
PS Could someone make it stop raining soon please?
PPS Paul Bailey of HX has at this link some video footage of saturdays game. Also some photos of the Twos game the week before. Watch/view and weep. And no, I couldn't get the video to play either (even after installing Quicktime).
It was not quite to be and well played Holy Cross who proved, particularly with their batting, that they have just that extra depth in a close fought encounter at the Arboretum. But looking back, Mufs will reflect that they had their opponent on the ropes not once (HC 24-4), not twice (HC 112-ish for 8 before a 62 run 8th wkt stand) but thrice (Mufs 74 needed off 18 with 7 wickets in hand) but we could not land the killer knockout blow. In the end, chasing 174 Mufs fell 24 short and Holy Cross knock us off the top of the table. But three games to go and still all to play for. We all , especially with our batting, just need to apply ourselves better (shot selection was not the best at times) and for the challenges ahead maybe some of us might wish to come down to nets to practice either rusty or misfiring technique and the latter applies to me as well!! Brief performance stats were: bowling Sorrell 2-51, Liddle 3-43, Vagh 3-45, Park 1-16; and batting Knight 23, Shiels 36, Vagh 32 and Westy 16 not.
To add to the gloom as deep as the mist that befell us, both Mufs 2 and 3s also were defeated.
But ever a silver lining in a cloud as Clackmannan County (249 for 7) defeated Falkland 139 ao. Gordon Oliver 55 (now passes Jaya as top scorer in Div 2) and Mark Cunningham 120. Cheers guys!! Thus only 6 points for Falkland which means that by my calculations that Mufs need 19 points from 3 games to guarantee we finish above either Marchmont, Falkland or Grange and thus clinch back-to-back promotion to the top flight which, in this injury ravaged season, still is a fantastic achievement.
On Sunday, a Mufs XI (171 ao) were defeated by a Stockbridge XI (185 ao) that included VJ, Wardy and the traitorous Sicknote whose 4 wickets wrecked the Mufs batting reply and which included an unbelievable deep square leg catch by VJ who just literally stuck out an hand to pluck a Trahms thunderbolt out of the air. Just to compound wee Carls sense of disbelief VJ then went on to drop a complete sitter! Earlier Rob Bailey scored a fine 62 for Stockie, VJ a swashbuckling 15, the outrageously bearded (outdoes Shannon's by a country mile) Angus Richardson 19, the heavily sledged Sicknote a scratchy 16, and Wheeler (no relation to our Dealer) an aggressive 22 not. Mufs bowling - Carl Tramhs 3-44, Mihir Vagh 2-44, Colin Stewart 3-22, and Don Wilkie 1-26 (but suffered much to his ire a few drops!!). Mufs batting was dominated by Mihir with 34 (including a big opening 6 off the very first ball bowled by Wardy) before he was undone by Sickie. Ed Long hit an aggressive 29 and looked set to take Mufs to victory before getting yorked by the returning Sickie . A couple of crazy run-outs saw the end of Mufs. Shielsy finished with 4-24 and Wardy and Wheeler 1 wicket apiece. Note to first team: don't worry - not thinking of bowling meself (yet!)
Sickie
Lewis versus Tyson or Ali versus Fraser it might not quite be but the Heavyweight clash at the top of Division 2 is nearly upon us. Merely a single point separates Mufs in top spot from the chasing Holy Cross. Much has been apparently been said from the HC quarter (well actually Don has just been getting some ribbing) after the demolition of Mufs 2. We will give and ask for no quarter. Bring it on.
LETS GET READY TO RUMMMMM-BLE !
El Presidente Mr Yelland invites you to read his musings at this link.... I'm just too lazy to "tag" it up u see.
Mr Ward, who has kindly taken on the mantle of Sunday friendly organiser, has lined up two more Sunday friendly games. At home vs. Stockbridge on Sunday 8th August, and away against Berwick on the 15th August are confirmed. Contact Martin if you wish to play at his email (bulleid@bulleid.force9.co.uk) or his moby 07815 461627. We will give preference to anyone not selected on the Saturday games.
While here... possibly the first printed media use of the term Mufs?... See article in Eve News online . Scroll to bottom of article - for the record we beat Standard Life (no bye) and also of course Cramond!
Despite a bit of a stinker with the bat against "The Smellies" of SMRH, Mufs extend their winning sequence to 8 games in a row to stay at the head of Div 2. Holy Cross remain hard on our heels and Le Crunch is nicely set up at Arboretum next week. Hopefully also to avenge a heavy defeat inflicted by HC2 on Mufs Twos where Bates smashed 130 against us. Threes also lost against Dunbar.
At a hot and sticky Muirhouse, Mufs were sent into bat. Kidd unleased his usual ferocious assault on the bowling and raced to 25 before an all too familiar yahoo saw him castled. Sicknote (4) suffered his second c&b dismissal in a row at home (note to skipper: drive along ground), then Old Mother (3), Masterful Jaya (1), Tiger Vagh (1) and Claypole Rogers (0) all fell in a horrendous slump from 37-1 to 44-6. Charlie Butcher (no, not Barry's wicked widow from Eastenders... actually what am I on about... she was of course Janine, as played by Charlie Brooks, doh...anyway back to the cricket) now sitting on a Pfeiffer that had looked most unlikely when Dazza had taken 24 off his first 11 deliveries!
Enter the Parky and Monty West to the rescue. Dickie shows great patience early on but just as the shots begin to flow Dickie is bowled for 12. Westy doggedly battles on, watches The Beast of Sorrell (16 off 5) clobber 6,4,4 off the spinner McCall only to be deceived next ball and trapped plumb LBW. Clayton departs for 5 and we are not sitting pretty at all at 90 for 9. But you can't ask for a much better number 11 than Stormin Norman. And with what may have proved in the end to be a most vital partnership of 32, Mufs reach 122 and at least something to defend. Chris finishes on a very fine 31 not out and Stormin last man out for 8.
With an hour to tea we turn around. The Beast of Sorrell opens up from the Crazed Gunman End and The Bushmeister from the Bizarre Suicide Inferno End. We are keeping things tight and the dangerous opposition skipper, Stuart Farquharson, goes for the aerial route off Clayton. Unfortunantly for him Sicknote's pre-tea, and thus empty, Belly allows him to just stretch far enough to pluck one out above his head and the first vital early breakthrough is made. Samson is caught by Jaya, again off Clayton as the Smellies are finding it hard to time their shots on the Muirhouse surface. Now its 12-2 and we are right back in it. Then just before the tea-break another vital strike - immediately after a spilled c&b chance the fired up Bushmeister traps Foubister LBW for 13. We go off at Tea to a most excellent of spreads (maybe Big Frank has seen the ESCA website Best Tea poll) feeling that we are right back in it.
But SMRH are a tough nut to crack and with Kevin Azam showing good form and application the score ticks up to past 50 before Mihir traps MacColl LBW for 10. Still SMRH creep closer. Stormin Norman then takes the vital wicket of Azam for 23 and now SMRH are 5 down for 69. Still they won't crack and at 88 for 5 we are beginning to stare down the barrel. But panic or give in this battle-hardened Mufs unit will not. Taking inspiration from Monty's earlier knock we fight to the end. And enter into the combat-zone Mr Rogers (8-3-15-2) and Mr Park (5-2-8-2) who bowl with great discipline and cunning to claim 2 wickets each and turn the match decisively back our way. With SMRH 20 runs short and 4 overs left the Beast of Sorrell returns for the kill and he swiftly despatches his prey with his second ball. Richie finishes with 9.2-2-23-1; Mihir had 6-1-16-1 and Clayton 13-1-32-3. Great bowling and fielding chaps.
Mufs have escaped to victory and a vital 25 points bagged. Hopefully another timely kick up the ass for our batsman before next weeks titanic blockbuster at Aboretum. Up the Mufs!
The Thurs midweek game v Scottish Widows has been cancelled as SW could not raise a team. So as we postponed nets/practice for the Mon Parks final we will therefore have a practice at Roseburn from 6pm on Thurs. All welcome to sharpen up technique as the season's climax approaches. Nets return on Monday as normal.
Statistics from our triumphant Parks Campaign have been added to our Stats page. Also a Phil Rogers penned match report has been added to our Match Reports page. Read it and weep... with joy.
Mufs are the 2004 Parks Trophy Champions. Now that feels good. Having played consistently intense cricket right through the tournament there was no denying Mufs their final glory as Maccabi were swept aside by 101 runs at Newfield in front of a passionate Mufs support.
Invited to bat first Mufs lost Andy Knight (5) run-out early on in a Vaughan-Key style mix-up. Enter the skipper, Sicknote Shielsy earlier than either his plan A, B or C had forseen. Darryn Kidd and Sicknote keep the score ticking at more than a run a ball before Dazza skies one for 28 (24 balls, 2 fours). Wickets are shed too regularly as Jaya (5), Mihir (1) and Dickie (1) all fall and the wheels are threatening to come off the Mufs juggernaut due to good bowling by Gabriel Radford and Raza. Phil "Claypole" Rogers adds a quickfire 10 (5 balls, 2 fours) before falling LBW. Now it's 96 for 6 from 15 overs. The Beast of Sorrell joins Sicknote for the final onslaught on the Maccabi attack and with aggressive running and strokeplay the score is pushed up to 140 from the 20 overs. Richie finishing 13 not (9 balls, 1 lovely 4) and Sickie an exhausted 67 not (56 balls, 2 fours and too much bleedin' running).
The Maccabi reply was throttled right from the start by fantastic opening spells by Alec "Chariots" Liddle (5-3-4-2) and Keith "Nasty" Lawrence (5-1-15-3) supported by great catching by Knighty and Mihir with two vital takes. Maccabi 19 for 5 at the half way point. There was no respite or mercy shown as Mufs introduced Richard "Beast of" Sorrell (3-0-10-3) and Mihir "Tiger" Vagh (2.3-0-10-2) and Maccabi are blown away for 39 as Jaya takes the final catch to spark scenes of joy for Mufs and their fans. The David Williamson Man of the Match trophy was awarded to Ian Shiels for his 67.
An immense and intense professional performance with Murrayfield-DAFS CC worthy Parks Champions in front of a tremendous showing of Mufs supporters. Well done everyone on and off the park and all those who played in previous rounds. Up the Mufs
Joyful (but knackered) Sicknote
Some photos, more to follow..
Match report by Dino de Jonty Claypole-Rogers now available at this link to Parks Trophy report
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| Jaya about to take the Trophy winning catch off Mihir |
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| Sicknote raises the Trophy |
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| Mufs Parks Champion Players (and Sharky) |
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| Celebrations naturally continued in Berts Bar... |
What wind? Even the strongest of gales were unable to extinguish the fire of Clayton Burne as the Bushmeister destroyed the fabled Marchmont Batting Machine at a blowy Cavalry Park. Once again the opposition were inserted and the Mufs speed-kings unleashed on their prey. This week's headline grabber Clayton with an awesome return of 11.2-2-22-7 including a hat-trick with the first 3 balls of his third spell. Great support provided by Mihir with a spell of 9-1-26-2 - another mighty oak that refused to bow in the face of the gale. The Beast of Sorrell (9-3-15-0)and Alec "Chariots" Liddle (8-2-17-0) provided fine accurate pace work with the wind at their backs and although surprisingly finished wicketless (though Rich had in theory bowled out the last man... unfortunantly the square leg umpire was still changing at long-on...) they kept Marchmont pinned-down. Dickie Park also bowled tidily and claimed the dangerous Mathers in his 4-1-11-1 into the wind before Clayton returned to castle the stubborn Srinivason for 22 and claim a superb hat-trick as part of a devasting final spell of 4 wkts in 14 balls for only 6 runs. Marchmont blown away by the Bushmeister and Co for 105 from 41.2 overs.
Following a very fine tea (methinks they were trying to get us so full we couldn't move) out strode Darryn "Lager Bar" Kidd and a strapped up Liberty Knight. Kidd was again in no mood to show mercy as he raced to 47 from 38 balls with some fine strokeplay (2 sixes) before a heave across saw his stumps re-arranged but a mighty fine start with 63 on the board. A similar shot across the line saw Sicknote depart LBW for 7. Knighty was joined by Jaya but our hobblin Baggie fell to a fine catch for 30 just before the end. Jaya (9 not... average now to 114 !!) and Mihir (6 not) with a lovely cover drive saw us to a fine victory. Mufs stay top with Holy Cross still hard at our heals after their comfortable-ish win over Clackmannan. Great stuff chaps again and congratulations Mr Burne.
Mufs Twos were indebted to a fine skipper's knock by Tom "The Dealer" Wheeler whose 56 was complimented by Andy Lacey's 34 as they rescued Mufs from 42-5 to get us up to a fine 180-9. JNB added 19 and Scott Taylor a valuable 17 not out. Grange 4 finished 25 short, dismissed for 155 with "Stormin" Norman Allan taking 4 for 44 from his 15. Tony chipped in with 2-46, JNB 1-18, Carl Trahms 1-31 and The Dealer 1-14. The other wicket a tremendous run-out by "ex-Daybus" Andy Gray who otherwise did not have the happiest of days with a first-baller. On Sunday the Twos lost by 4 wickets to Stenhousemuir in a re-arranged League game. Mufs top-order collapsed again but this time Tom couldn't work his magic as Mufs slumped to 111 all out.
Threes outplayed Mitre in a friendly match, Mufs declaring on 176 off 27 overs (lots of retirals on 25) and then bowling out Mitre for 56.
A Mufs XI led by Martin "Wardy" Ward took on Cairndow in a friendly match at Muirhouse on Sunday. Wickets shared around as all got a bowl and Cairndow restricted to 148. In reply Mufs cruised to victory due to a fine partnership between Mihir Vagh (60 not) and Phil Rogers (56). Winning runs hit by Neil Yelland who obviously had little faith in Mihir given the way young Neil pinched the strike!! Finally you will probably need no reminder that Mufs take on Maccabi in the Parks Final at Newfield on Monday (today) - 6pm start. No nets at Roseburn as a result this week.
According to our Honourable Treasurer the following below is those players who have paid their Club Player Subscriptions. If your name is not on this and you are sure you have paid then contact Mr Hubbard (see Contacts page). Ok for very new recruits you have a little bit of grace BUT there are far, far too many players not on this list - some of which who have played regularly right through this season. Subs are 50 quid or 25 quid for non-waged. No word for it other than utterly SHAMEFUL - get that wallet out you tight buggers - how do you think we pay for kit, match balls, teas, equipment, insurance which covers YOU too and a host of other expenses? You have been warned. Pay up. If you have not paid you will pay premium match fee rates. Also there are far too many players owing match fees. It should NOT be up to the captains to continually chase you weeks later for money - you only have one match fee to remember - YOURS. There are still some who probably owe money going back to the indoor Nets. All you are doing is cheating your fellow club players, you muppets.
| Player Name | Player Name | Player Name | Player Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siva Jayahanthan | Tom Hothersall | Paul Hubbard | Ian Shiels |
| Iain Martin | Don Wilkie | Andy Gray | Chris West |
| John Baikie | Phil Rogers | Vijay Kumar | Lindsay Towns |
| Mihir Vagh | Clayton Burne | Richard Sorrell | Richard Park |
| Keith Lawrence | Karl Jansen | Sasidharan | Willie Ritchie |
| Andy Piggott | Graham Watson | Niall Aitcheson | Tom Wheeler |
| Paul Leonard | Andy Lacey | Norman Allan | Rob Fotherington |
| Phil Yelland | Neill Yelland | Henry Collin | Gordon Dalyell |
| Tony Simpson | Andy Knight | Darryn Kidd | Colin Stewart (?) |
| Alec Liddle | Bill Oddie | Lady in Comrie (with Hoover?) | Murdo McLeod |
| Chris Brown | Chris Watling | The Amjits and Mamoun | Martin Ward |
Mufs take on Maccabi Globetrotters this Monday at Newfield. Start 6pm. The regular Roseburn outdoor nets are thus cancelled this week so come on down and cheer the boys on in their quest for silverware. Newfield -Edin Accies school ground- is north of Inverleith Park and the Botanical Gardens.
Another week of cricket defying the earlier rain and another impressive debut League performance, this time by Alec "Chariots" Liddle who spearheaded Mufs Ones to another victory and avenged our only defeat earlier this term by Largo. Largo were dismissed for 117 with only Shariff (34) really troubling us - though we did give him three lives. Shariff eventually shot down by "Nasty" Keith Lawrence. Mihir bowled a fine spell taking 2 wickets but it was the speed-kings Liddle and The Beast of Sorrell that wreaked havoc on Largo, Richie finishing with 3 for 29 and Alec 4 for 18. Mufs flew out of the trap as Kidda unleashed a merciless attack on the Largo opening bowlers smiting 29 from only 18 balls before falling to the accurate Bob Mowat. Sicknote followed for a scratchy 11, caught behind off Shariff. But Liberty Knight with 34 not and The Masterful Jayahanthan with 39 not (taking his season's tally to 448 and average to 112) saw us home and an early trip to the pub - to debate the meaning of Salt and Vinegar crisps amongst other things... Nasty just cannot understand them apparently. Thanks to Largo for their good spirit and friendly hospitality. Mufs Ones thus still top the Division 2 pile - hats off to you boys - but now we are in the business end of the season and we simply have to keep this hard work and good application going. Up the Mufs!
Twos defeated a predictably gobby Westquarter at Muirhouse in a low scoring match. Westquarter were evicted for 80 unable to cope with the Two Normans Show - Messers Allan and Baikie taking 4 wickets each and Nightbus the other 2. Stormin' finishing with 15-8-18-4, JNB 6.3-2-12-4 and Tony 15-4-25-2 I believe. Mufs stumbled in the chase - but were steadied by a patient 12 from Andy "(ex)Daybus" Gray but with wickets falling it was Wardy with 10 that provided valuable support to Bicycle Towns (22) that took us close to victory, sealed in the end with a big straight hit by Simpson. And a most enjoyable victory against a most unlovely foe. Well done Tom and his chaps
Mufs 3s collapsed from a promising 110-5 to 114 all out and suffered in the end an agonising last ball defeat with Holy Cross down to their last pair. Earlier Ali Amjit had hit 40, Mamoon 25 and Ian Volante 13 not on his debut. However a spell of bowling of 4 wickets in 5 balls had wrecked the Mufs innings - which included 3 golden ducks. It was almost enough but despite 4-33 by Chris Wigan HC just scraped home in a tight finish - 6 being required from the last over with just the one wicket left. Hard luck guys.
Mufs march onto the Parks final after a victory over arch-rivals Cramond at Roseburn. Brief details as I'm about to go out on the late nite bevvy... (Gilly's fault)... but Cramond were restricted to 120 for 3 off 20 with Mihir Vagh top star conceding only 22 off 5 great overs - the Beast bowled well too to help Mihir put the brakes on what was looking a bit like a runaway Cramond, Alec showed again good pace and promise (if only for a fast track). Chasing Dazza and Andy set us off really well and kept right up with the rate before both fell for 31 and 30 respectively. Sicknote, despite being told to calm down on several occasions, splayed and slogged leg side for 38 not - most ably supported by the ultra calm Mihir who had the honour of hitting the winning runs to finish 13 not out. Sweet sweet victory and a final date for Mufs v Maccabi Globetrotters (a jovial reference to their highly talented, multi-club sourced squad) a week on Monday at Newfield. Well done guys. Up the Mufs.
On a most welcome return to playing cricket at last, the Club had mixed fortunes on Saturday. Ones march on at the top of Div Two with a crushing victory over Clackmannan, Threes were rolled over by the Cask and Barrell, but deserved headline grabber was Darryn "Lager" Kidd with a fantastic display of strokeplay in an unbeaten 136 not out which took the Twos close to chasing-down Edinburgh CC 2, the Div 4 leader's, 260 a.o.
Prior to his innings Kidd had been wagered by OMH that if he scored 150 then Old Mother would buy him beer "all night". The Hubbard wallet was under the most serious threat but with seven balls left Kidda ran out of partners and Twos all out 236 and short by 24. Kidda's 136 all the more remarkable as he had a runner (which probably for Dazza was a bonus! -well run Hairy Monster Watling) but also that several cans of Tennants lager were being consumed agonisingly close to Dazza by the watching Ones (we at least saved him one tinny!) Kidda had earlier been top wicket taker with 3-77. However, a fielding performance which was described as comical had let ECC off the hook - having been 5 down for 70 odd at one stage- it was estimated that as many as 20 chances were missed, not attempted or spilled. Fielding drills for Monday night nets again methinks.
Anyway, well done Dazza - a new all-time record for the new club - and 3rd highest for pre-merger clubs in all their various guises.
Ones had wrapped up victory against Clackmannan by tea-time, which had allowed them to watch the Dazza heroics at Leith. Sent in to bat, Clackmannan had no answer against the pace and guile of The Beast of Sorrell and debutant Clayton "Bushmeister" Burne spearheading the Mufs attack. Richard finished with 11.4-6-11-4 and Clayton 15-5-25-3. "Nasty" Keith Lawrence picked up 2 wkts (8-2-15-2) and our other bowler used was Stormin Norman Allan with 3-0-9-0. Other wicket was a run-out where at first we had seemed to reprieve Kashif Ali with a wayward throw only for him to get his bat stuck running it in and ending up somewhat bizarrely run-out. With an eye on the skies a bit (luckily all the threatening stuff missed us) we closed our target of 68 down with only a wee stumble - "Liberty" Knighty caught for 0 off Hussain, Mihir bowled for 4 by Mudie and Sicknote dismissed for 20 by Hussain taking a very sharp return catch (the sod!). The Masterful Jaya (24 not) at first look a bit uneasy with his new "Butt Sports" equipment (sounds like one of Liberty's films), but once his bat was replaced normal service resumed. Partnered by Dickie Park (13 not) we were home and hosed in 22 overs. Jaya's tremendous form this season sees him now passing 400 runs with an average now over 100. But challenge now laid down by Kidd whose average now rises to over 120 !! Over to you Mr Jayahanthan!
Details of Threes defeat to arrive, Cask and Barrell were 171 ao but Mufs 3s fell 76 runs short - all out 95.
Our Parks semi-final v Cramond is provisionally due to be played on Thursday 15th July at Roseburn. Vociferous support most welcome. However the Thursday friendly v Maccabi which was due to be played at Roseburn has been cancelled as a result.
Now this is starting to drive us nuts... heavy thunderstorms did for us all again and all 3 leagues games were rained off. Also the Sunday Friendly v Broomhall has been cancelled as Muirhouse is very soggy. At least cricket lives on at Monday nets....
Well beginning to forget what playing cricket is like !! Anyway, in addition to the Saturday games we have a friendly this Sunday at Muirhouse v Broomhall (Tom Wheeler kindly has stepped in at last moment to captain/organise) so let Tom know (or me if you don't know how to contact Tom - try tom.wheeler@scottish.parliament.uk
Also a Sunday friendly on the 25th July v Cairn Dow at Muirhouse - I believe Iain Martin is probably doing this one so names to him. We will try to give priority to those who can't get a game for the Saturday Teams. We are aware of this issue which is a side-effect of the overall strengthening of the club this year and are to explore ways to alleviate this. Be patient please!
Saturday night sees the return of a music night at Berts - always a good night. Finally a wee nag... net attendances on Mondays have been pretty poor of late; come on chaps - where are ya? It's not that we don't need the practice with all this rain, rain, rain of late!!
Unsurprisingly all games rained off. Though the rain didn't get bad enough until Ones were actually changed and raring to go. For the record even more unsurprisingly I lost the toss. And we were to bat. Anyway a pleasant afternoon spent in a Haddington pub. Tonight beers in Berts.
All Mufs Sat games were rained off- the game at Muirhouse might have been in doubt anyway as the Police had the whole area cordoned off after a shooting incident and massive fight involving rival gangs of travellers!! See for BBC news story.
Tonight some of us are venturing to the Scottish CAMRA Beer Festival at the Assembly Rooms, George Street. Contact me, Sicknote.
Finally due to the England v Croatia game on Monday, Nets will start at 5:30 and finish at 7:30. Weather permitting.
Had to say that as I bussed it up Colinton way after the footie that I expected to see empty playing fields. Somehow the guys perservered at a wet, gloomy and not too warm Merchiston Castle. Maybe it was the promise of beer and sandwiches in the staff room to come?? Anyway Merchi bat first and post an impressive 137 from 20 overs - wickets for Norman Allan (2) and The Beast (1) in the main (hard to tell exact bowling figures from the book). Merchi opener, Johnston, retired himself on 69.
The Mufs chase starts quickly as a chilly Jaya immediately hits a 6 and a 4 but then skies one and is caught for 10. Mihir comes in at 3 and continues the pace. Lindsay and the returning JNB both fall for 0. Mihir is on a solo mission and reaches his debut 50 for the club from 35 balls. Then falls LBW immediately after lining up another four. The baton is passed on to The Beast of Sorrell and the sprint continues despite the shedding of wickets. Rich is joined by Westy at 8 wickets down but 3 boundaries by Chris see us dash across the line. Richie finishing with a fine 28 not out. And so to the splendid beer and sandwich fest and a chance to warm up the chilled bones. Well done Mihir and thanks to Merchi schoolboy, Andy Knox, for standing in for us. Andy, with just a single boundary to his name, unfortunantly unable to whack any of his teachers around as he hoped. We spared him the birch. What fate befell him later in the dorms, is unknown....
Mufs steamrollered the Parks Trophy holders, Marchmont, out of the Parks Trophy with an awesome display of Mufs power at Cavalry Park.
Bar Chetty (18) and a late aggressive flourish from the entertaining Sutton (25), Marchmont's batting was blown away by Mufs, posting only 102 from 20 overs. Bowling heroes all round from Mufs with "Stormin" Norman Allan (5-0-21-2); fine and fast debutant Alec "Chariots" Liddle (5-1-23-1); Mihir "Luke(?)" Vagh (5-0-34-4); and Richard "Beast of" Sorrell (5-1-21-2). A tremendous display in the field and well done stand-in skipper Monty (Sicknote too incapacitated by injury at last to take the field). Thanks too for "Hard" Don Wilkie for 12th man and more-than-temporary fielding duties.
Would 103 prove any problem for Mufs against our fellow Div Two-ers? Nope. Gavin and Knighty get us off to a solid start before Gav falls for 17 at the halfway mark, and then... and then it was simply the Andy "Liberty" Knight show. After seeing off good bowling from Collier and Sutton, Liberty flailed the Marchmont change bowling to all parts to prove what a batting talent he has (not that we disputed that on sat (ahem)). Liberty finally falls for a majestic 66 just before the death having totally dominated a stand of 55 with Mihir (2 not). Not that Mihir saw the strike much as the rampant Baggie-one went nuts with the bat. A couple of 4 wides and byes and that was it with Jaya 0 not out; for once having a bit of a rest. Mufs 105 for 2 off 16.4 overs. And Marchmont well and truly... Muffed.
A black sabbath indeed (worse for some of us than others I daresay too) as Mufs were comprehensively outplayed by Stenton and Tyninghame and crash out of the Small Clubs Cup. Although naturally disappointed, in some ways this could be a blessing, particularly as injuries are mounting, as one could argue we were chasing glory on too many fronts. Anyway it was fun while it lasted and another nice day out in the sun particularly for the picnic-ing girls, though they seemed less intrigued and entertained by our balletic warm-up this time round. Sack the choreographer.
Mufs, battiing first on a most picturesque setting and a pitch surely full of runs, start badly with Knighty soon out for 1 (excellent gully catch). Sicknote and Westy pick up the pieces and with the score 38 off 9 a good total looks in the offing. However, rather than take 16 or so off the 10th over (which he should have) a frustrated Sicknote missed a straight full toss trying to blast it towards the A1 and falls LBW for 19. Westy is caught not long after for 16, then Rogers (3) done by a low-one and the wheels have come off good and proper. Mihir tries to steady the ship but an excellent spell of bowling by Burne takes out Mihir (6) and Carl Trahms (0) in successive balls then bags Dickie (4) and Tom H (5). All castled. Some resistance at the end by Tom Wheeler with 14, Wardy (5) and Tony S, 9 not, get us to three figures at least. But 106 all out is nowhere near enough.
A most fine tea is consumed in the marquee - top notch posh nosh with crusts cut off sarnies as well and copious cake! Even strawberries. No fatty Muirhouse pie here for the urban man.
As so to the defence of 106 on a small pitch with fast outfield. Wouldn't be putting yer money on Mufs and the odds lengthened even further as the S&T openers are relatively untroubled, Old in particular aggressively despatching anything short before being caught by Tony off Dickie for a fine 45. Dickie then claims Barbour for 0 caught behind by West. But S&T are closing in, Thomas hits a quick 17 before being caught by Knighty off Simpson (who bowled very tidily). The game is over when opener Osbourne (40 not) hits the final boundary off Wheeler's first ball and we are defeated by 7 wickets. Bowling figures - M.Vagh 7-1-27-0; R.Park 6-0-29-2; P.Rogers 4-0-18-0; C.Trahms (fielded fantastically) 2-0-17-0; T.Simpson 4-0-8-1; T.Wheeler 0.1-0-4-0.
A bad day got worse for Sickie as while trying to hide his modesty while changing in the park he bizarrely manages to twist or pop something in his knee which then subsequently ballooned up most painfully later. This will keep him out the the Tues Parks game which will now be captained by Chris West (mobile 07775 615789). That pain nothing compared to the sickening agony suffered by those wrapped in the flag of St George witnessing the horrific events at the death from Portugal in a stunned Berts Bar back room. A blackest of black sabbaths indeed.
As mentioned on Tues Mufs play Marchmont in the next round of the Parks Trophy at Cavalry Park, Duddingston (next to Holyrood school). On Thursday a friendly at Merchiston Castle School - availability to Norman Allan.
Sagrenti! Ye-Hay-ah. Ye-Hay-ah. Ones and twos claim victories - Twos a crushing demolition job of Heriots 3. Ones a sub-standard performance in the field having first just about batted Penicuik 2s out of the match first. Threes slumped to a narrow defeat versus Penicuik 3s.
On a batting paradise at Penicuik, Sicknote calls right and elects to bat (amazingly I had arrived to a dressing room wanting to bowl first. With an attack missing two star men. Huh???) Anyway Mufs run up 279 in 50 overs - which could and should have been more. Sickie was first to depart with 55, Knighty collected 72 (significantly most of his runs coming after Sickie had gone and therefore stopped moaning at our somewhat out-of-sorts Liberty!). Andy Gray picked up 10 before being run-out. Debutant Mihir with a fine 29 and Jaya, not quite at his fluent best, with 72. Chris West sacrificed himself to spare Jaya from a run-out and Phil Rogers late-on scored a quick 10 not. Mufs put on 100 in the last ten. A boy did we need it. With the exception of Normie Allan who bowled his 15 right through and a promising debut with ball from Mihir the Mufs performance with ball and in the field simply was far too sub-standard and with nothing to lose Penicuik batted aggressively to run us far too close, finishing on 245-ish (I think). Against a better team we would have lost. Lessons to be learnt all round, me included (I apologise (not) for being particularly grumpy on the day). Anyway another 25 bagged and thankfully the Beast will be back.
Twos bowled Heriots out for 86 at Muirhouse - with starman with ball Edwin Silvester with 4 wickets. Mufs lose 4 wickets in the chase and are indebted to good batting by Tom Hothersall and Carl Trahms to claim a good win. Threes chasing 80 failed by 5 runs against Penicuik 3s.
How we actually managed to squeeze this game in at a wet and stormy Muirhouse still amazes me. In the end a comfortable victory for Mufs against a Scotsman XI (featuring "Monty" West) in this glamour friendly. Mufs batted first with a 25 and retire rule. Unfortunantly the 25 and retire rule didn't apply to Mr Wides as the Scotsman bowlers sent down an extraordinary 38 deliveries wide of the mark in the 20 overs (and believe me, one was being ultra-generous while umpiring... with my bowling stint later in mind perhaps). "Liberty" Knight (7) and "Dealer" Wheeler (8) opened but fell in the 4th and 5th overs to the accurate Bevan and Staples. Enter "Bicycle" Towns (17) and debutant Reza (pal of Jaya) who adjusted quickly to the very opposite of Dubai cricket conditions to score a fierce 25 retired including one booming 6. One could sense that The Beast of Sorrell, waiting to bat, was clawing away at the ground, desperate to be unleashed on his prey. And merciless he was with a quickfire 30 retired (one 6).
In between Aussie Daniel Franklin bowled with good zip - recruitment operation went into overdrive later. "Nasty" Keith Lawrence entered the fray with skies laded with rain. A huge downpour was inevitable and as the majority of Mufs Ones sheltered from the lightning storm in a metal shed (errrrm...) we were treated to a glorious double rainbow across the wicket. Where was that camera. We resume as the rain stops, but the batting storm continues despite the slip-slidy conditions. Nasty is bowled by the returning Bevens for 15 (one 6) and Vijay again by Bevens for 9. Enter The Masterful Jayahanthan who can't quite adjust to the soggyness and his most prized wicket is claimed by Wallace for 7. Paul Leonard finishes on 4 not and Stormin Norman Allan on 0 not. Yours truly, Sicknote, lurking at 11. Mufs finish on 166 for 6 from 20 soggy overs plus the 39 extra deliveries!
A quick turnaround and enter Sicknote to bowl only like an opening batsman can. 14 conceded off opening over as Franklin and Staples tuck in with some good drives but a missed nick behind flies to the boundary of the 7th ball(?) of a somewhat bizarrely umpired over. Then Nasty concedes 8 of his... is the fightback on? Sadly for our Scotsman Scribes, not. Sickie tightens up as much as his hamstring and bowls Staples for 8 to finish with 2-0-17-1. Nasty finishes wicketless with 2-0-10-0 but in his last over a slip does for Mather on the turn and he is mercilessly run out for 1. Enter the skidding Paul Leonard who sprays Cullen's stumps for 4. The collapse continues next over as Lindsay T, bowling to a cunning 3-8 field, claims the dangerman, Franklin, LBW for 20 (ahem, perhaps a tad high). Next over, next wicket as Leonard spears another one through the defences to bowl Judge, guilty of failing to defend his wicket with malice aforethought, for 1. Paul finishes with 2-0-9-2 (and fields superbly and bravely in the wet). Lindsay then claims Bevens (7) with Normie pouching a skier. Mr T finishes with 2-0-11-2.
Scotsman Skipper, Lawson Brackpool shows some defiance with 12 as the wicket every over sequence is broken for 2 overs. But Vijay bowling straight and zippy bowls Brackpool to claim his maiden wicket in Scotland. Well done Vijay, wee fella. (VJ 2-0-9-1). With skies darkening again the black clouds again descend on The Scotsman batting as the Beast of Sorrell, bowling an assortment of tweakers and odd nippy one just to keep the wicket-keeping Jaya on his toes, applies the final dagger thrust in a mayhemic second over for him. Third ball Wheeler takes a fine sliding catch to dismiss Lowe for 2; fourth ball Caroline Macdonald chops on. Enter Monty West who was guesting for the opposition to a barrage of ribbing from his hitherto colleagues and a hat-trick ball. Kidology in play as the Beast retreats back to what is a normal run-up for a quick but delivers (sensibly) only at slow-medium. Lunatic LBW appeal first ball rightly turned down. Then another huge shout and the finger of death is ever so slowly lifted and the Beast has his 3rd and prized victim. Scotsman dismissed for 69 of 12 overs with 9 extras. A fun game played in great spirit despite the soggy conditions. Well done all.
Sicknote
Botanics Parks Trophy game was unsurprisingly abandoned.
Courtesy of El Statto, the all time 3rd Wicket stands for Mufs and Murrayfield are on the attached 3rd Wkt Stands doc here. Sicknote and The Masterful Jaya's stand of 195 confirmed as a 3rd wkt record and confirmed for all wickets too breaking a record that stood for 56 years - see attached Record Partnerships xls file here.
Also available courtesy of El Statto is a list of LR,MCC and MDCC Centurions at the following doc Centurions doc here
3rd XI stats for this season to date now available on our Stats page.
Talk of records neatly leads me onto a shameless plug for a local band, Sagrenti, (Pyscho African Fusion Reggae) who are playing at the Canonsgait Pub, Royal Mile this Saturday - I guess at around 9:30pm. You will find me and hopefully the usual sat nite crew there rather than at Berts on Sat. Why you ask? ... well a certain Gilly Swan (Sickie's better half) is one of the singers. She brings the "Pyscho" element to the band of course. I can assure you they are jolly good with original own material (rare indeed these-days). No thrash metal I can also assure you (shame) though Gilly might have picked up some tips from the ever so polite Slipknot and Korn frontmen from the Download festival in Glasgow last week. If therefore asked in no uncertain terms to extend your middle digit into the air then please co-operate.
Finally reminder of glamour friendly v Scotsman tomorrow night at Muirhouse; Small Clubs Cup at Stenton and Tyningham on Sunday; and Parks Trophy now confirmed for Tues 15th away at Marchmont CC.
Good luck to all on Sat and as usual... please destroy your opponent with great fury and vengeance, in the nicest possible way as ever. (And good luck to Bots in Parks tomorrow)
PS. I apologise for the poor standard of speeling on this websight. Particularly the word "excellant". (It looks much better with an "a". Sorry Dino). If Peter Andre can make up words then so can I. "It's just Mufania".
PPS. I will eventually get round to writing the Mufs in Comrie Circus Spectatular Report soon. With piccies.
PPPS. Has anyone seen one of Ed's Jokes lately? Sadly missed.
PPPPS. "Bat" wishes to say hello to all. Having a comfortable retirement you'll be glad to know.
PPPPPS. Have added catches to Ones stats. And an "LBW Watch"!
PPPPPPS. I apologise also for the over-use of the post-script abbreviation in this and the last news piece.
PPPPPPPS. Oh darn, dunnit again.
Now this was a game we were so looking forward to... a big victory against the leaders Holy Cross and wee ol' Mufs would find themselves on the top of the pile of Division 2. Extra spice added to the mix with the tremendously bearded ex-(briefly)-Mufs Aussie Shannon Bonfield lining up against us. Shannon has also been in top notch form for Cross lately with both bat and ball as HC had swept allcomers aside this year. So would we be up for the challenge in this titantic top of the table clash? Yup, we sure were.
Things didn't start too well... Sicknote continued to be a useless tosser and we were invited to bat in the humid conditions. Shannon bowled with accuracy but it was his strike partner Rob Worsnop (never did discover why they called him "Two Dogs"!?) that wreaked havoc with his in-swingers - Mufs reduced to 29-3 with top order of Sickie (8), "Liberty" Knight (2) and "Midwife" Milne (4) back in the hut. Yet again we were indebted to The Masterful Jaya (46) ably assisted by a fine knock by "Monty" West (24) in a 4th wicket stand of 65. However after Chris was caught off the Jesus-like (or Bjorn Borg - we couldn't decide) Alex Gallagher, suddenly it turned all ghastly as Ian ("Rick??") Astley took 3 wickets in 7 balls to wreck the Mufs middle order- claiming Dazza (2), The Beast (goldie), and then the prize wicket of Jayahanthan. At 109 for 7 we were up to our necks in it. Fear not, we have batting talent all the way down and the Mufs tail wagged as strongly as a deliriously manic dog. Our chaps put on another 67 to take us to a respectable 176 for 9 off our 50. (Jester) hats off to Phil "Claypole" Rogers who held us together with 24 not, Dickie Park (16), "Nasty" Keith Lawrence (9) and a late wee cameo from Stormin Norman Allan (10 not) who clubbed us up to another batting point. A good recovery and it was Mufs that seemed the chirpier at tea-time - another fine spread with pies returning (hurrah) and copious cake and biccies. Good work Big Frank.
With time ticking on and pies weighing heavily in bellies, we decide to spurn the usual balletic Rogers-Knight led warm-up and stretching exercises(to me and my hamster's regret later). Holy Cross fire out of the blocks with Doug Russell punishing anything full of length with excellant driving. But The Beast of Sorrell quickly strikes back and castles the HC skipper Keith Fraser for 6 with a tremendous yorker right after being clipped for 4, plenty of passion in the Beast's dance of death. Still Russell attacks though a little more circumspectly. Mufs tighten up and by over 15 its even-stevens with HC on 44 for 1.
Then Mufs unleash cricketing hell on the Holy Cross batting line-up. First "Nasty" Keith claims Anzelm Cydzik (some scrabble score that) for 4 with a very sharp slip catch by Knighty. Rogers is on next over to make use of the swinging conditions - and at the end of a somewhat erratic over of swing Claypole takes the most prized wicket of Shannon for a duck thanks to an excellant leg-side take by Monty. Now we sense a seismic shift of the game our way. Indeed it is as Parky moves his feet through treacle to just claim a skier by Russell off Keith. Doug departs for 37. Jubiliation turns to ecstasy as "Nasty" induces an edge from Jon Bates (0) into Monty's gloves 3 balls later. Nasty aint finished yet with his demolition job. In his next over Pickering (2) caught behind, this time a circus juggling routine by Chris to Dazza (but not of Hothersall acrobacy standards) to give Keith a fourth wicket in 9 balls. HC have been routed - 5 wickets falling for 5 runs in 5 overs of pure mayhem. Enter Stormin Norman Allan to plunge the dagger into the faintly beating heart of the HC innings. A short ball pulled straight by Quinn (0) to Phil at midwicket gives Norm a wicket with his second ball. No keeping the fielding maestro, Rogers (responding magnificently to his skipper's persistent call for a "Tight Ring") out of it, as Phil takes another well judged catch at fly-slip. This gives "Nasty" Keith Lawrence a well-deserved Pfeiffer, "Jesus" Gallagher unable to perform any miracles and out for 6. Keith, take a bow, big fella.
The Beast of Sorrell is recalled to feast on the kill. However Hill (6), Astley (2 not) and Worsnop (10), in particular, show some resistance (and better application than some of their colleagues) at the death. Their quest for a solitory batting point is forlorn as Norman takes the last 2 wickets to dismiss HC for 80 and seal a magnificent hard-working victory by 96 runs. Credit to HC for playing the game with good spirit. A tremendous team effort both yesterday and also over the last few weeks. Hopefully the lesson from Largo has been learnt. For now we are turning water to wine but it can swiftly turn sour. Celebrate that we have reached the top for a moment but then realise that the real, real hard work starts for us. I am sure all of us are determined to be up for challenges ahead. Great team cricket chaps, I am proud of you. Up the Mufs.
A Proud Sicknote
P.S. Good to see you again Shannon.
P.P.S - alternative match report now available at our usual Match Reports page - kindly written by Phil Rogers- also available from this link to Claypole's report.
P.P.P.S. Inaugural prize-winner of the Mufs Cricket Card (winning a tenner) was Chris West. Who generously used his winnings to buy a round. Cards to be distributed to captains etc. All in the name of raising funds for the Mighty Mufs.
P.P.P.P.S - tremendous bit of chat on the Mufs Message Board right now... starring the not-abducted El Secretario (and a challenge laid by him), also Aliens and the Love Boat Captain. Do join in the fun.
P.P.P.P.P.S - Mufs Ones stats to date posted on Stats pages. Need stats for 2/3s. And 2s match reports!!
With Twos resting, Mufs Threes travelled out to play a strong West Lothian 3s. However despite good knocks by Carl T (40 odd) and Graham Watson (28?) and a 4 wicket haul for Ali, Mufs fall to a 2 wicket defeat.
This week sees a recently arranged friendly on Thursday at Muirhouse against a Scotsman XI hopefully starring Bill Lothian, the Eve News cricket scribe who has generously written such excellant material about us of late. Availability to Norman Allan please.
Still places available for the squad to take on Stenton and Tyningham on Sunday 13th June. Availability to me, Sicknote please.
Also we are looking to play our next round game of the Parks Trophy v Marchmont sometime in the w/c 14th June... possibly on Tues 15th June?? Phew. Games coming thick n fast. Will there be any part of me left that won't be injured by the end of it all?
Sicknote
More details to follow soon... (as I am too knackered to write much right now) of a Small Clubs Cup triumph at Comrie by 4 wickets by a representative cross-team Club XI. Highlights of a great day (and night for some of us) out were:- psychological damage inflicted on the opposition by the Rogers-Knighty led Team warm-up featuring the balletic Martin Ward; the fine bowling of "Nasty" Keith Lawrence and Phil "Claypole" Rogers with 3 wickets apiece; a unbelievable piece of circus acrobacy The Chinese State Circus would be proud of by Tom "Boris" Hothersall that ended up with a catch for Nasty (animated re-creation to follow at some point); heaven and hell fielding; a wicked wicket to bat on; a dogged skipper's knock (30 not) by Sicknote carrying his bat right through, supported by a quickfire 21 late on from Claypole to see us home just when it was wobbling a bit. Finally there is the mystery of the "missing hours" as Iain "Ricky" Martin arrives at the ground only in time to see the end of the match. Many wild theories abound. Alien abduction? Or maybe he was just taking a cruise on the love-boat.
Many thanks to Comrie for their very kind hospitality and thanks to our various drivers and travelling supporters (methinks the girls enjoyed themselves greatly drinking wine in the sun watching their other halves making idiots of themselves in the park). Next up in two Sundays time (13 June) will be an away trip to Stenton & Tyningham who beat Dunfermline Carnegie by 7 wickets. Apparently they will be putting on a BBQ too. Tremendous! Availability to me, Sicknote, as soon as possible please.
Mufs Ones continued their strong showing in Div 2 with a hard-earned 23 run victory over SMRH2 at Inverleith. Batting first (shock horror yet another toss won!!) Mufs found themselves in the deepest of doo-doos as the unplayable Brown took out Murdo and Milne in the same over with only 6 on the board. Brown found both movement in the air in the humid conditions and assistance off the artificial pitch as Mufs (Shiels and Jaya) simply dug in to survive the onslaught. And in time dogged defence paid its dues as Mufs accelerated strongly from overs 20 to 40 in particular to set a new club record stand for all wickets of 195. Sicknote finally succumbed to his various ailments and sheer exhaustion for 74. Jayahanthan played another magnificent knock under pressure - a display of batting that so deserved another century but sadly the Sri Lankan Master was caught off the impressive Brown for 99. Mufs, thanks to some fine low order batting from Dickie (14 not) and Richie see us through to 222-5 in the end. Brown finished with 5 wickets for 36- all caught by keeper Farquarhson.
SMRH reply was dominated by Stuart Farquarhson who had scored a 50 before the scoreboard had even registered 45. Once Stuart had been dismissed for 55 the match swang our way with good tight bowling. SMRH battled hard, Parker 41 and MacColl 31 not and put us under pressure but we held firm, excellance indeed in the field from Phil Rogers generally with a great catch as did Norman Allan. And so in the end a victory by 23 runs. Bowling heroes were Rich Sorrell (15-3-66-3); Dickie Park (9-2-26-0); Keith "Nasty" Lawrence (9.5-0-43-4) and Stormin Norman Allan (15-1-60-1). A great victory for the Team which will cement our place at the top end of the league table. Great hard competitive cricket guys. Take a bow.
Twos were defeated by Holy Cross 2 at Muirhouse. Stars for Mufs were Dazza with 78 and Tom Wheeler with 5-49. Threes march on with a comfortable victory over Drummond 2. Good stuff fellas.On Sunday the club travels to Comrie for a Small Clubs Tie. For which I really ought to be in bed resting rather than writing web reports at 3-45am. !!
After the glorious defeat of Edinburgh CC, Mufs ran into a very strong Heriots side and a 10 wicket defeat at Goldenacre. However despite the pain of losing there are positives to be taken out of this for Mufs. Not least that Heriots were not taking us lightly at all with a side that contained nine National League first teamers including Saltire internationalists at both Youth and Senior level. Fair dos to them and a great honour for us I say to play these players. And their 2 second team players weren't bad either!! And it was one of them, the in-form Tino Weeraratna, who blasted 74 not out to take Heriots to victory.
Earlier batting first (another toss won!!) Mufs suffered an early reverse with Sicknote (1) done for by a short-pitcher that grubbed from Nel. Andy Knight and Gavin Richmond then build a good base for us with a solid stand of 45 before Gavin is bowled by Asim Butt for 23. Enter Jaya who can't quite find his middle and is bowled by the younger Weeraratna for 16. Richie Sorrell (0) is cleaned up by a peach of a delivery by Weeratna 2 balls later. Lindsay Towns connects well with one big one but is unluckily run out for 5. Dickie Park and Andy Lacey finish on 5 runs apiece. Mufs finish with a very creditable 102 from 22 overs given the class of the attack we were facing. Well batted Knighty.
Tino Weeraratna and K McLaren open the Heriots reply. The Beast of Sorrell extracts some great pace on the track and takes the edge of Tinos bat - sadly it bulleted between Westy and the bemused Sicknote and the chance was missed. "Sorry Rich" probably the second most common uttered apology in the team behind "Sorry Chris"! Moral victory for the Beast of Sorrell. However that is the nearest we get bar a dodgy run-out attempt and despite good bowling but indifferent fielding the gap in class is that bit too much for us. Tino finishes with 74 not and McLaren 27 not. Heriots cruise to victory in 15.2 overs. Thanks to Andy Piggott for umpiring and Iain for scoring with Mrs More. As in scorebook that is.
A few pleasant beers had afterwards in the upstairs bar. Actually we learnt that other teams had in past when learning the Heriots line-up they were to face had bottled it and just gifted them the tie without playing. I am astounded by this - to me this was a great honour to line up against top and international class players coz you never know what might happen. Great credit to all our players for giving it a go against superior opponents.
Match Summary
Mufs 102-6 off 22 overs. A.Knight 35, G Richmond 23, Jaya 16. Heriots bowling: C.West (not Monty!) (5-1-17-0); D.Nel (5-0-21-1); A.Butt (5-0-25-2); S.Weeraratna (5-0-17-2); T.Foggarty 2-0-16-0. Extras 12.
Heriots 106-0 off 15.2 overs. MDCC Bowling: R.Sorrell (5-0-29-0); D.Park (4-0-25-0); K.Lawrence (3-0-21-0); N.Allan (3.2-0-28-0). Extras 5.
Not a day for bowlers or fielders at a chilly Muirhouse as 301 runs are smashed in 36.3 overs as Raj inspired Maccabi Globetrotters to a 9 wicket victory. And, no doubt a small amount of personal revenge for Edinburgh CCs Masterton exit at the hands of Mufs. Earlier Raj himself had been mashed by a hobbling Sicknote - 45 runs including 2 sixes taken from our spicy ECC quick off his five overs - a wee taste of his own medicine but probably only served to make him even keener for revenge!! Sicknote retires on 50 (almost retired himself on 49 !!). West (11) and Sasid (16) had provided support before Jaya hit a quickfire 31 before being bowled by Raza. Vijay provided next top score with 14 and Wardy not out 9 (would have been double figures if V"One Short"J would only run his bat in!). 9 man Mufs finish with 150 for 6.
Then the awesome barrage starts as Raj and Welsh (from Boro'muir) destroy the Mufs midweek attack. Its on the Buses to start with as Nightbus and Daybus open the bowling. Tony starts well and could have had Raj LBW early on before taking a bit of flak (finishing with 5-0-33-0)but Andy Gray disappears for 36 off just 2 overs. Norman Allan fares no better - nothing that loose but Raj smashes it anyway... The Rook finishes with a painful 56 off 5 overs. A mix-up of Hussein/Strauss standards sees Welsh run-out for 29 in the interim before the limping Hauldom joins Raj and inflicts more damage with 39 not. Jaya (3.2-21-0) and Wardy (1-0-4-0), who perhaps should have been on earlier in hindsight, attempt some damage limitation but Maccabi All Stars cruise home with 21 balls left. Mercifully short given the biting cold wind! Raj finishes on 77 not out. A retirement at 50 to give his team-mates a shot at batting (and mercy for our bowlers) may have been sporting but to be fair nothing had been agreed in advance.
In the other friendly game Bots beat Peebles by 8 wickets chasing 75 off 18 overs.
Those magnificient Mufs and their Batting Machine take on Heriots at Goldenacre on Thursday in the next round of the Masterton trophy. Rousing away support most welcome.
While here... Iain Martin can get a bulk allocation of tickets for the Saltires 20/20 game v Lashings on Fri 25th June (5pm start) - names to Martino as soon as poss.
On a beautiful day for cricket The Masterful Jaya single-handedly rescued the Ones in a thrilling victory against Marchmont at Muirhouse. Invited to bat first, Mufs found themselves deep in trouble against a Marchmont attack that bowled with both fire and discipline. As the Mufs batsman were being washed away, Jayahanthan single-handedly kept Marchmont at bay and so the tide began to turn. Accelerating past his first 50 for the club, Jaya was the immovable rock upon which the waves of Marchmont bowling broke. Boundaries came with greater frequency and Jaya closed on his century - into the late 90s - then a huge hit to the longest boundary hung in the air just short- his team-mates hearts stopped - skipper prayed (we were 1 run away from another batting point with 9 wickets down you see - actually I had no-idea he was so close!!) but the chance is spilled. Next ball Jaya's century is claimed. A truly marvellous knock. 101 (18 fours and 1 six) out of 156 all out. Good stuff by the guys who kept him company.
Now with a total to defend we were in good heart against the legendary Marchmont Batting Machine. And an excellant start as Dickie, with his first ball, bowls a tremendous off-break to dumbfound the arms-shouldering Marchmont skipper for a goldie (not a good day with the bat for captains as Sicknote had fallen second ball). Now we believe but they are a tough outfit and do not crack despite the excellant efforts of the Beast and Dickie. Enter an often unsong bowling hero: Renta-Rogers. Ol Claypole made the Marchmont batting look like the court jesters in a mesmorising spell of swing bowling from the Caravan Park (Burnt out Motor) End at the 'Hoose. 10 overs 2 wickets for only 16 runs from Sleepy puts us on top as Zorba and The Stormin Rook (10-2-32-3) put us in the ascendency. Still Marchmont won't crack and at 90-6 off 36 overs the game is poised for a cracking finish as The Beast of Sorrell and Dickie Park are unleashed again. A flurry of runs by the dangerous Ramon and then a six from Sutton tips the game back to Marchmont. 4 overs left - 3 wickets in hand- 18 needed. Tense. But the Beast's 14th over is critical. First ball he traps Ramon plumb in front. Fourth ball Sutton spoons one to the Skipper. But 7 runs are conceded, including a very odd no-ball. 11 off 18 balls. Dickie (14-0-45-1) keeps his nerve and only concedes 3 off his over. But it is 8 off 12 balls and The Beast summons up energy for a final assault. A missed run-out opportunity - have we blown our chance. No. With spearingly accurate deliveries a full fast yorker is too good for the tail-ender and joy all around for Mufs. The Beast finishes with 14.3-2-47-4.
A tremendous morale boosting win against a tough Marchmont unit. Great bowling to claim the win - the victory set-up by Jaya. All Hail the Master.
Jubiliant Sicknote
Threes continued the good days work with a comfortable win against Peebles. 3s batted first with Murdo McLeod top scoring with a half-century ably supported by Carl Trahms with 40-odd and Franny with 18. A total of 148 all out. Peebles found Boris Hothersall too hot to handle as Tom takes 4-19. Peebles dismissed for 79 and a valuable 25 points taken. Great stuff fellas.
The poor ol ticker has taken a pounding this weekend with these close finishes! And in a game where Mufs were dead and buried somehow the Two's made it a magnificent clean-sweep for the Club with a 1 wicket victory over Grange 4 at Newfield, fulfilling the spectating Phil Roger's desire for a "threesome" (well that's what we thought he meant). Chasing Grange's 189, Mufs were sinking fast with 5 down for less than 50 until Sasi (57) was joined by Martin Ward (20). Somehow we had got to 100... Tony clubs a few big hits for departing... but 190 still looks a long way off. Enter Edwin Silvester at 10 (29 not out) and he and Sasi at a fast pace of scoring are making Grange wobble. Soon we are only 20 off and victory looks more than a possibility but sadly the exhausted Sasi can't see it right through but has made a tremendous maiden half-century for the club. Enter the skipper - at first protected by Ed - but gaining in confidence Iain picks up valuable runs as well as we close in. The coup de grace is administered by Ed and an improbable victory snatched from the stunned Grange in front of the jubliant away support. Magnificent.
In a friendly match on Thursday at Muirhouse a Mufs midweek team with many faces new and old took on Currie and Balerno.
Batting first (shock horror Sicknote actually wins a toss!!!!) Mufs start steadily before losing openers Andy "Daybus" Gray (5) and the Rev McLeod (6) to the accurate Rudd and Irvine. Enter Andy Lacey and Monty West who put on 32 at a good rate before Chris falls to Cairns just below the 25 retirement point for 23. Sasid clubs his first ball for 4 then popped up a c and b back to Scott. Vijay is run out for 0. Andy retires on 25. Jeya, at an unusually low no 7, belts 5 boundaries before being bowled for 20 (a prize scalp for Scott), Gentle Freddy Robson rolls back the years and hits 13 before being caught off the athletic Masden, (Fred- it's still being out to a girl) , Paul Leonard lbw for 0 to Barry. Karl Jansen shows some good strokeplay for 9 not before Sicknote, coming in at last man, clubs 12 of the last 4 deliveries to take us to 126 off our 20 overs.
Shades of groundhog day from Tues as Mufs obliterate the C&B top order with 2 overs apiece from Kid Jansen (finishing with 3-1-8-3) and Sicknote (2-1-3-3) reducing C&B to 6 for 5. The bowling is rotated around the field and confuses the life out of the scorers! Ms Madsen (21) shows good grit and determination with Bob Irvine (28 not) to stop the rot and they keep Mufs at bay for 12 overs and add 60 or so to the C&B score (aided by Mr Wides with 15). D Barry adds a quickfire 23 not at the end. In that time Mufs bowlers figures were (we think): F Robson (2-0-11-0), P Leonard (2-0-7-0), Sasid (2-0-10-0) plus two catches for Sid with fingers numbed by discovering Scottish stinging nettles, Vijay (2-0-14-0), Daybus Gray (2-0-10-0), Rev McLeod (2-0-16-0), Monty West (1-0-9-0) and Jeya (1-0-10-1). Karl returned at the very end and bowled Madsen to end her solid innings. Currie and Balerno finish on 96 for 7 off their 20 overs. A victory by 30 runs and everyone a bat and bowl or keeping. Mission accomplished. Over and out.
Sickie
After the disappointment of Saturday this was a welcome morale booster as Mufs showed no mercy (well a little with the Beast rested from bowling duties!) in brutally crushing Standard Life by 108 runs in the 2nd round of the Parks Trophy.
Skipper Sicknote kept up the run of lost flips (useless tosser) - now 6 in a row and was invited to bat by the opposition. With a beaut of a Newfield wicket to bat on Sicknote unleashed full pent-up fury upon the SL opening attack, aided and abetted in the slaughter by Richie Sorrell, 50 smashed off the first 6 overs. Things slightly cool down and Rich departs for 16; then Knighty and Sicknote put on 71 in 8 frantic overs before Sickie perishes for an angry 68 with one clubbed shot to long-on too many (and there were plenty in a "10 to 10" batting chart !!). Next ball Knighty also disappears for 26 (18 of which he bludgeoned off one over) - caught by Kirkland as well- and with a sense of deja vue Dickie Park is in the midst of a hat-trick. Dickie survives and scores 9 with a mix-up on the way with Jeya run out for 7. More run outs in the final stages with Andy Lacey (0) and a comical run-out of Lindsay Towns (8) final ball... having driven the ball into the covers for a single, Lindsay continues his run towards the Pavillion... unknown to him Rogers (0 not)has called him back for a second and Bicycle Towns now has some 35 yards to make! Not in the picture frame in the end. So Mufs finished with 156 off 20 just under the 8 an over mark and a fine destructive effort.
In reply, SL never got going at all - Dickie (3-0-10-3) and Phil (3-1-6-3) bowl most cunningly up front and between them reduce SL to 17 for 6 off six overs. Simlo showing brief resistance with 3 boundaries before Dickie cleaned him up. Enter The Wheeler Dealer and Karl "Kid" Jansen for 4 overs and a wicket apiece (Tom- 4-1-10-1 and Karl 4-1-8-1). SL tail shows a bit of fight to survive as The Masterful Jeya and Liberty Knight are unleashed for a couple of overs of fire and brimstone (partic from Liberty). Lindsay pops up for an over - nearly claims a wicket first ball - gets one next ball - and then nearly another with a hard return catch almost taken. Finally and perhaps fittingly the coup de grace is delivered by Sicknote himself by bowling out the last SL wicket with his second delivery. A professional Bank job done by a ruthless gang of Mufs- never mind demutualisation this was demolition. And so we progress to Round 3 of the "Rumblelows" Cup.
Just to brighten the doom and gloom down below... a rotten joke for thee...
A young ventriloquist is touring the clubs and stops to entertain at a bar in a small town.
He's going through his usual run of stupid blonde jokes when a large, blonde woman in the fourth row stands on her chair and says, "I've heard just about enough of your denigrating blonde jokes! What makes you think you can stereotype women that way? What does a person's physical attributes have to do with their worth as a human being?"
The ventriloquist looks on in amazement.
"It's guys like you who keep women like me from being respected at work and in my community," she continued, "and of reaching my full potential as a person because you and your kind continue to perpetuate discrimination against not only blondes but women at large... all in the name of humor."
Flustered, the ventriloquist begins to apologize.
The blonde interjects, "You stay out of this, mister. I'm talking to that little guy on your knee!"
After the Lord Mayor's Show there is often a fair pile of horse-shit left lying. And a foul and reeking pile of excrement was what Mufs Ones batting resembled on Saturday as they threw away a promising position at 88 for 2 off 25 overs to slump to 132 all out. Fair dos to Largo as they played solid and proper league cricket to bring us back to reality and teach us a stern lesson about how to bat in Division 2. Too many of us were stuck in 20-over mode or just got stuck - the number of dismissals by cross-batted shots was simply abysmal. Probably good to get this smack in the face early on so we can learn from it and learn we must otherwise we will be back to where we came from. Here endeth the sermon.
Positives were the way we bowled and how we started the batting - Duncan - who will be sorely missed with both ball and bat - with a quick 40, Sicknote was looking comfortable at 19 (before starting the rot with a silly swish!), Jeya with 32 (but needs to go back to playing straight again) and then a horror show of 0,4,6,1,3 as we got stuck after passing 100 in the 27th over, finding ourselves 15 overs later on a mere 117 with 9 down. Thanks to Richie Sorrell, with a late 15, we at least got up to 132 and something to defend - but 50-60 short of par. Largo's bowling did the basics right -bowl straight - you miss - I hit. And so it proved that 132 was not going to be enough as Largo batted sensibly and despite a late wobble won the match by 3 wickets. Top marks to Dickie for bowling very well on his first League outing with 7 overs and 2 for 15. Dunc on his swansong with 2 for 40 from his 15, Phil ("Behind You") Rogers with 0 for 6 off 3, and the wounded warriors also bowled tightly.. Rich with 1 for 15 from 8, Norm Allan 1 for 24 of 11, and JNB with 16 for 1 off 5. Losing hurts - lets learn the lesson quick. Congrats to Largo.
Twos added to the sense of woe with a defeat against Westquarter. Westquarter posted 165 for 9 with The Wheeler Dealer taking another Pfeiffer - (15 overs with 5 for 29), Ricky Martino taking 3, however another blow as Kidda joins the lengthening list of crocks! In reply we made only 97 with the Hairy Monster Watling with a determined 40 batting through most of the innings and Dazza with 26 being the only contributions of note.
Threes provided the only bright note for the day with a narrow 1 run win over Mitre in a friendly match. Mufs posted 95 and successfully defended this with the star of the day being Carl Tramms with 4 wickets - a good reward for being excused from studying for his exams. Good work wee fella.
A good turnout of players and partners turned out at Berts for Duncan's farewell. All the best Dizzy and see you next year - were gonna miss yer.
"Not delighted" Sickie
Masterful, wonderful. Absolutely terrific. This is akin to Stoke City beating Arsenal in the Cup as the champions of the East League are beaten by Mufs. A wonderful result for the club as we show, nay we prove that we have the depth of talent, conviction and belief to not only mix-it with the Big Guns but to vanquish them. Jeya was indeed most masterful in a superb knock of 44 not out that took us to victory - though it was a great team effort as a whole that set up victory by restricting the talented Edinburgh CC to only 117 for 3 off their 20 overs. Great credit to Dunc "Dizzy" Peake (5-0-17-1), Stormin' Norman Allan (5-0-27-2), "Nasty" Keith Lawrence (5-0-31-0)and John "the Sultan" Baikie (5-0-29-0) for keeping ECC in check despite chance after chance getting spilt in the field - bar a most vital catch by Duncan in the deep to remove the dangerous Raja just when he looked set to punish us.
And so to the chase - a circumspect and solid start by Gavin Richmond (13) and Liberty Knight (17) set us on our way. Then enter Dizzy and The Masterful Jeya with a stand of 64 that swung the game our way. Dizzy bowled for 21.... and then it got hairy-scary....with 6 needed to win of 10 balls all of a sudden Towns (2), Park (0) and Shiels (0) disappear in a hat-trick and then its 6 from 6 deliveries needed. Thankfully The Master is on strike and with a 4 and a 6 Jeya drives us to a glorious victory - surely one of the greatest since merger of the clubs and for those of a Dafs hue, the greatest since "That" Heriots game. Who's up next in the draw... why Heriots. A great night that sends out a stern message to our rivals. Up the Mufs.
"Delighted" Sicknote
As some of you may know, Duncan "Dizzy" Peake is due to return to Australia after a final hurrah for us against Largo. So would be great to see him off in style after the Saturday matches with a beer or three at Berts Bar on Sat night. Hopefully it is only arrivederci and not goodbye, as we may see Dunc back in Mufs colours next year. And sending the cream of travelling Oz talent in our direction too as our man in Sydney!
Next week we have on Tues next round of the Parks Trophy v Standard Life at Newfield (availability to me please) and a friendly v Currie and Balerno on Thursday at Muirhouse (availability to Norman Allan and me, ta!)
Vociferous home support wanted for the glamour cash versus Edinburgh CC tomorrow night please!
More player profiles welcome... profile of Frank Boyd, jnr to be posted shortly ! Form to fill in attached here. Also suggestions for player nicknames... muf-a-likes always welcome... you can self-nominate !!
Sicknote
Bit of a cock-up on the fixture front ... Masterton Cup game now is Thursday not Tues at Muirhouse! Thanks to Bots for being so understanding and moving aside for us. Come and give us support in this most glamourous of clashes.
Thanks to Clackmannan's artificial wicket at the picturesque Arns ground and our steadfast refusal to bow to the elements, MDCC Ones completed a 8 wicket victory in their first Division Two fixture. Clackmannan batted first and posted only 133 (all out) due to a fine bowling performance all round from Duncan, Keith, Norman, a semi-fit Rich, and Sleepy Rogers. Only slight blot was some spilled chances (mea mosta culpa for one very easy one - sorry "Nasty"!) but overall a very fine and merciless team performance.
Dizzy claimed top billing with 3 for 48 off 12.3 overs topping and tailing the attack, although it was the Stormin' Norman and "Nasty" Keith Lawrence Show in the middle section of the game, bowling superbly in tandem, that strangled the life out of the Clackmannan batting. Norman (14.2-6-23-1) and Keith (12-4-23-2) conceding only 46 runs off their combined 26 overs. With JNB rested from the attack, Phil Rogers bowled well at the death with 3-0-13-2. Richie bowled 6.4 overs taking 2 for 20 before having to withdraw with a tweaked calf. And they had said before the game we couldn't bowl?? For Clackmannan, G Oliver scored 54 and collected a nasty cut over the eye as well for his trouble but bravely battled on before being last out to a fine Peaky yorker.With a quick win in mind a tactical switch at the top order and the very same Mr Peake elevated to opening the batting with Liberty Knight. And the plan worked well with Dunc hitting a quickfire 26 - many a boundary turned into a 2 by the damp outfield- before succumbing to the first sucker ball from Ash Rasul. And so enter the Skipper. After a brief steadying of the ship, Sickie opened up with the drizzle starting to slightly worsen, departing for 29 (bowled round legs by Rasul - off the 7th ball of the over Mr (home)Umpire!). Enter Jaya to finish the job with some glorious strokeplay and a 35 not with the serene Knighty continuing his fine early form with 32 not out. Job well done and the first 25 pints (sorry points but pints came later at a packed Berts Bar) safely tucked away. Jolly good show chaps. Big thanks to Iain Martin (for umpiring then 12th man duty for the injured Beast); Andy Piggott (for soggy umpire duty), Willie as ever for scoring and Don for support and his unique philosophical insights and keeping the scoreboard ticking over.
Twos were rained off back in a wetter Edinburgh and Threes had been mysteriously stood-up on Thursday night by Livvy!
Next up for us is the Masterton Cup tie at Muirhouse on THURSDAY (NOT TUES!) eve v Edinburgh CC.
Phil Rogers with a word of warning....(!!)
We never sleep. Well, not since the new 1s captain was appointed. Ten minutes before midnight on a Thursday, you'd think you could safely nod off to sleep. Half an hour earlier, I had set the alarm clock on my mobile for the following morning. So when it rang, I awoke ready - I thought - for the new day. I pressed the button to turn it off and was addressed by this strange disembodied voice. 'Come to Clackmannan, come to Clackmannan', was the subliminal message. 'JNB injured, your 1s need you'. Then the battery cut out and I returned to my slumbers. After a restless night, wondering if the 2s bowling / batting balance is okay, I finally woke for a second time. Somehow I thought I'd dreamt the whole episode.
Phil 'Sleepy' Rogers
....Oops I had just lost track of the time after writing up the Parks result! Actually I was blethering away for a couple of minutes before realising Phil's phone had cut off!! Be warned - your ever plotting and scheming captains never sleep
MDCC defeated a strong Scottish Widows side comfortably by 7 wickets at Muirhouse in the Parks Trophy. Widows batted first and started strongly with Robertson in belligerent form with 46, though de skipper missed a run-out chance to claim the danger man earlier on, never was much good at me double sixteens. From a promising position at the half-way point of 54 for 1 for Widows, despite excellant bowling from "Nasty" Keith Lawrence with 5-0-18-1, MDCC staged a storming fight-back over the next 10 overs; JNB to the fore with a most excellant 5 overs claiming 4 wickets and costing only 22. A wicket a-piece also for Darryn Kidd and Norman Allan, two stumpings for Chris, catches for Phil, Jaya and Lindsay; plus 3 run-outs with excellant work from Jaya and Lindsay, saw Widows finally dismissed for 105 off their final ball of the 20 overs. Phil R was the other bowler used (3-0-20-0), with the Beast rested for the night. A good fight back as early season rust in the field was shaken off in the second half when Mufs showed solid team work.
And so to the chase, with Rich Sorrell partnering Knighty at the top of the order. Rich blasted us out of the blocks with a most entertaining quick-fire knock, including one bowler demoralising 6, before departing bowled to the lanky and rapid Hansen for 27 out of the 34 on the board. After a period of careful chipping away at the Widows total (a polite way of saying yours truly couldn't lay bat on ball), Mufs exploded back into life and built up some impressive "Manhattans" with Knighty putting the wayward Bobb to the sword (19 off one over) and then Sicknote finding his range with 10 taken off the hitherto impressive Hansen. Mufs reached 82 of 14 when Sickie departed going for a heave for 18. Jaya joined Knighty and once atuned drove immaculately to bring us to the cusp of victory. 1 required to win, the ball strikes Jaya's pad, Knighty charges down for the winning single, Jaya is unmoved, nay unaware even of his partner's rapid approach and somewhat comically the Baggie is run-out for a fine 34. Enter Westy for the final rites and victory claimed with a leg-bye, Jaya not out 16.
Overall a very fine team performance to stun the Widows - excellant bowling by John Norm and Keith- good opening batting blast by Rich, with Knighty showing his class with the bat. Maybe work needed on this running malarky though. And so to the next round of the Parks Trophy for the Mighty Mufs. Jolly well done all.
Shock news just in is that Livingston have already (as at Thurs eve) called off the game against our Threes. Your club officials are not happy about this nor are letting this rest.... This is particularly annoying given the strong teams that were to be fielded across the whole Club this weekend.
Blue sky on a Saturday but the recent rain over the end of the week had made it mission impossible to prepare a pitch at Muirhouse and Barnton- so both Ones and Twos are off. However as the 3s game at Roseburn went ahead with a defeat by 60 runs by Dunbar. A late stand by Wanless (51) and Paxton saw Dunbar to 148 all-out off 39 overs. Mike Seddon picking up 4 for 45 and Carl Trahms 3 for 22. MDCC3 fell short by 60 runs with Mike top score with 24, Carl with 20, Vijay 15 and Frank Boyd with 12 not out. Thanks to Graham Tait's Spandau Ballet reciting fan-club for major off-pitch entertainment during Taity's epic innings of 0.
Well don't know about you guys but I can hardly wait to get stuck into another season of cricket. Here's hoping weather bucks up. Anyway just to say good luck to all our players - play hard and enjoy your cricket. And here's to a Mufs clean sweep tomorrow
Courtesy of Paul Leonard - here's an excellant report of the 3s Saturday friendly v Carlton at match report. A wee thought from the pre-season games worth commenting on... over the two weekends Rich Sorrell bowled 58 deliveries before conceding a run - and even then it was an overthrow. Wow. Keep it going The Beast.
Finally thanks to all who came on down to the Indoor Nets - good to see such keeness and commitment. Now the season is upon us, outdoor nets will start from Monday and will be repeated throughout the season on Mondays from about 6pm -weather permitting of course. We'll probably kick-off a bit earlier this Monday given it is a holiday for most.
Ian Shiels aka Sicknote
Is this really April? Well a roaster of a day saw a strong Mufs line-up too hot for a Drummond XI at Roseburn. The Beast of Sorrell continued where he had left off last Saturday with 3 consecutive maidens - one a wicket and another a double wicket maiden- to leave the Drummond top-order stunned. Helped by a succession of collective dropsies (particularly off the very unlucky Dizzy Peake) Drummond dug-in and a mini-revival was led by their skipper, Brand, who held them together with the top score of 58. Darryn Kidd bowled tidly in the middle with 2 for 12 off 8 overs, supported by JNB to keep the brakes on. Graham Milne showed good form with 4 tidy and sharp overs, Knighty struggled for consistency (perhaps with engineering a total to chase in mind). As the innings drew towards its end, debutant Andy Gray took out the danger man Brand with a c'n'b plus another wicket and Sasi wrapped things up with 2 wickets for no runs. Drummond dismissed for 101 off 36.1 overs.
And so to tea - a most splendid effort by Mrs Baikie and Miss Swan earning a straight 10 Tea rating from the umpiring Mr Piggott.
Then the chase began - in sedate fashion by Knighty and Sicknote aided by Mr Extras. In a sudden switch of plan to uncharacteristic agression Sickie departed for a mere 4. Knighty batted well for his 25 - stumped on the verge of retirement. Andy Gray showed steady promise with 18. Graham Watson chipped in with a solid 14 retired, Jeya lashed it to reach 16 not with Sasi joining him at the end with 2 not. A victory by 7 wickets with 8 of our 40 overs spare.
The day ended with drinks in the beer garden - who would have predicted that last weekend!
MDCC fielded two teams for warm-up (certainly warmer than last Sat !!) fixtures on Saturday at Roseburn against a Peebles XI and a Carlton Youth side. Although both teams were narrowly defeated both games were useful to provide real-game warm-ups. Room for improvement of course as the real stuff is almost upon us. Two debutants for the Club provided the main highpoints, Tim and Carl.
Tim Harris, with 28, showed good technique and promise opening the chase against Peebles before falling to the 5-wicket claiming Bhajit. Earlier on, fine bowling from Tony, Phil, Keith and JNB had Peebles in trouble - 5 down for 50 odd- only for an aggressive unbeaten half-century from M Swan to set MDCC 143 for victory. After a fine start with Tim starring, Mufs middle order was blown away by poor shot selection, particularly against the full-toss! Definite room for improvement!
Martin Ward (12) with dogged support from Iain Martin (suffering a nose-bleed batting at 7) steadied the ship. Then the "big-guns" arrived at the tail. After Wardy (perhaps missing the sleeveless shirt) departed after suddenly going expansive, out strode JNB. Bhajit found t