Spot the Deliberate Mistake

Wondered when you’d spot that one, Wilson  (Dad’s Army not Galloway!)

Players Meeting is 8pm this TUESDAY – Tuesday 2nd September  not Wednesday.

The weekend has been too much for the ageing blogger!!

Justice Done As McCrea FS West Return to the Top Flight in 2009

As David Coleman might say – “There was dancing in the streets of West on Saturday night!”

McCrea FS West are returning to SNCL Premiership action in 2009 after beating a disappointing Poloc team by 6 wickets at the excellent New Williamfield.  Congrats to Cricket Scotland for holding a joint Play Off event at a ground with a great future.  Lots of people, excellent atmosphere and great results for those in the West because Kelburne deservedly head for Penicuik next Saturday to challenge Edinburgh for a place in the SNCL.  Its your turn next week, Budgie!!

Thanks to the great support who followed the team to Stirling (and actually found the ground).

Despite the nonsensical SNCL points system McCrea FS West got to the play off and beat Poloc with another outstanding team effort.  That is what 2008 has been all about.  Teamwork and supporting each other.  Well done, everyone!!

Youngie has led the team magnificently with ever maturing batting performances.  Regular runs from the Pro and Dougie, consistent wickets from The Well Oiled Machine (GG) and the Pirate, tight bowling spells from Steamy— the list goes on – Congrats to the whole squad.  Everyone has made a telling contribution at some point during the summer(!?)

Pro is heading for Sweden before returning to NZ – thanks for everything Grant – great!!

I understand the West League Cup has been postponed until 2009 (Ayr dont want to play in the dark)against the bright lights of West and the 3s can still make the Strathclyde Shield Final at West next Sunday depending on certain results today.  Watch this space.

Players Meeting at 8pm on Wednesday and get ready for the McCrea FS Players Awards Dinner on Sat 13th September.  Contact Spegsie now if you havent booked your seat for an Oscar standard night.

Some additional thanks – to Isaac Umeed – what a Coach, his influence is never ending: to Bobby Kettlewell who has asked me to thank him for all he has done this year. (Pleased to do so, Bobby – Duckworth Lewis exam is next week!!) and lastly, but definitely NOT leastly to

DOUGIE McCREA and McCREA FINANCIAL SERVICES whose support has been magnificent throughout the year.  Welcome back for 2009!!

If I have missed anyone out I know that I shall hear from you – and a last message -

THE HARD WORK FOR 2009 STARTS NOW

Play-off Prize for McCrea FS West as Forfarshire suffer Mannofield Misery

It has gone to the wire.  Stirling next Saturday beckons – as does a return to the SNCL Premier Division in 2009 if we can beat NVT Poloc at neutral Stirling.  It’s a 12 noon start!

A clinical team performance produced an outstanding victory over bbH Stenhousemuir as the weather closed in. Then came the news from Mannofield – Aberdeenshire had won by 5 wickets.  Well done, everyone!

The End of Seson Party became the Not the End of Season Party at which McCrea Financial Services Player of the Month trophies for June and July were presented to Gordon Goudie and Dave McNulty.

Right – a hectic week ahead.  West League Cup Final v Ayr at West on Tuesday; Western Cup Final v Kelburne at Whitehaugh on Wednesday -  and then it is Saturday!

Never mind West v Hawks at Burnbrae, see you all at Stirling to support the troops.

All Set for Stenhousemuir Showdown on Saturday

McCrea FS West did the business at flooded Freuchie to take the league season right to the wire. Runs from the Pro, Dougie, Youngie and the back up of Steamy and the Pirate – after a middle order collapse!! posted a total which Freuchie couldn’t match – quite.   Thanks to our new secret weapon – SNOOD – with 3 more wickets and a tight spell, the troops can still dream of what can happen. Forfarshire also won and we must rely on the new Champs, Aberdeenshire, rolling them over at Mannofield while we endeavour to beat Stenhousemuir on home territory.  Calculators and mobiles could be the order of the day.  There is even a hint of better weather towards the weekend so lets look forward to the supreme challenge on Saturday.

I understand the 2s reached safety in the Western Union by acquiring at least 6 points from their tussle with GHK.  Hope Bug reached safety after his fall down the stairs – you always get excitement at West!!

Sunday sees the Kwik Cricket Festival starting at 10am at West.  Usually a great day (hopefully after a heavy night before!!) – so be up early and come and support our youngsters

And remember to pack your holiday gear for Saturday evening’s End of Season (or HOPEFULLY not) Party from 7.30 at West.  The 2s can join us when they get back from Galloway – and the 3s can prepare for their Sunday match with a few pints.  Indeed anyone can come to make it an evening to remember (depending on how much you quaff).

Well done to Penicuik and Ferguslie for reaching the Scottish Cup Final at Udders this Sunday – just goes to show the top boys don’t get it all their own way all of the time!!

More Monsoon Misery at Hamilton Crescent as Mannofield Maintains its 100% Result Record

Despite a valiant effort by all and sundry at West last Saturday, the SNCL|game with Penicuik was abandoned just after 6pm when the monsoons returned.  Play had started at 4pm (while Titwood remained submerged for a third day) and a good game had developed with Penicuik at 102-8 after 30 overs. With Forfarshire also succumbing to\the elements all eyes turned to Mannofield where the clement weather allowed Aberdeenshire another 10 points. Certainly all is set for an exciting end to the season with Aberdeenshire definitely\in the driving seat thanks\to\some excellent cricket and fine weather!

The following is my opinion and not necessarily that of WSCC   -   We all\know that in Scotland there is bound to\be a wide variance in the weather between Aberdeen and Dumfries and that the West is definitely\wetter than the East and North.  Even Ryan Watson , our national\Captain, acknowledges this fact when he commented on international\matches being disrupted – or ruined – by wet weather in Glasgow and Ayr.  He said “We need to look to the North and East to play our Internationals as we have to consider what is best{weather wise} for the game in Scotland”.  Well – Championship Committee of the SNCL please note – the same applies in setting out a points system in the SNCL\ which provides a level playing field.  Of course, there is not a perfect solution to this but there just has to be something better.  Lets hope it is in place for Season 2009.

Meantime here at West we head for Freuchie and then entertain Stenhousemuir – we simply must have 2 wins to have a chance of a playoff.  There is a West league Cup\Semi Final v Ayr at West (Thu 21st Aug) and the 2s have the Western Cup Final v Kelburne at Whitehaugh – date still\to be confirmed.  The 3s have a chance of reaching the Strathclyde Shield Final on 7th September here at Hamilton Crescent so lots to play for.

The End of Season (or not) Party is at West on Sat 23rd August from end of the Stenhousemuir game til late. Disco, McCrea FS¬Player of the Month Awards for June and July and a raffle.  A MUST FOR ALL – IN HOLIDAY GEAR, PLEASE.  Also note Sat 13th September McCrea FS Players Awards Dinner in the Clubhouse from 7.30pm.  Cost is £25, guest speaker is lawyer and former referee, Kenny Clark.  Book now (see Dougie,Gregg or Spesgie (LEGGAT!!) to secure your seat.

A bit serious this week so lets have a great time over the next 2 to 3 weeks and see just what we can achieve.

Diamonds Are For Ever at West

July was a busy month from Cranny.  He was the guest blogger in my absence and what a good blog it was!  He went on holiday and came back a captured man…. by The Cran Woman.  He managed to fit in a few games of cricket in between.  Congrats to Cranny and Lesley – no wedding allowed in any future cricket season!   Question  -  When did Cranny last bowl a maiden over?

Talking of Diamonds – what would we do without Youngy (IDK that is).  Following on Niki Sood’s superb bowling spell (5-6) v Aberdeenshire he won the game for us with a superb innings of 48 not out.  West’s drive for promotion is still alive – but 3 tough weeks ahead.

During my absence in USA other notable efforts.  Dougie Lockhart’s 151 against Canada – magnificent, and Lynne Dickson’s superb 50 for the Scottish ladies team.  Well done, Lynne – we always need batspersons!!  Superb, too, from McGraveys 2s reaching a Western Cup Final – date and opponents still to be announced.

A short blog for now due to my failing computer but hopefully more after  a West League Cup Semi Final v Ayr on Thursday and another vital weekend for all West teams.

Finally there was reports of a rare sighting at West – 2 in fact – last Saturday when Burton and Robertson found themselves photographed in their Sunday best for the local paper.  Definitely in the pink, “Hello”magazine is looking to negotiate a lucrative deal on the Spegsy extravanza last weekend.

That might mean Spegsy’s in the money – at last!!