Wet and Wild at West!

With the pressure of free Magners lifted from the fixture on Saturday normal service was resumed for McCrea FS West and all who sail in her.

When watching any team play it is important to know the player’s nicknames as in sport formal names are very rarely used amongst teammates. Here is a quick breakdown of the 1st squads nicknames for reference purposes: -

Greg Watson – Watto/Gladstone/R Kelly/Mr T.
Dougie Lockhart – Longshanks/Dug Dug Dug/Dooog.
Grant Robinson – The Great Man
Ian Young – Youngy/Pig/Horse/Skip.
Jason Harris – Dingo.
Ross Brown – The Finisher/Red Ross/Scotty Styris/Child who is allergic to sunlight.
Gordon Goudie – The Goat/Goudos.
Ricky Windows – Ricky Lad/Steamy/dad.
David Mcnulty – DAVID!!!/The Pirate/Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Iain Cran – Cranny/Will Young/Umar Gul.
Aftab Talpur – Atab/Aftabulous.
Craig Brown – Chilli/Simon.
Stewart Leggat – Spegs/Guy from BT advert.
Jamie Burton – Jamie No Chat.
Scott Robertson – Frank the Tank.
Gavin Smith – The kitten
Kevin Keller – The Walking Hernia

So on to the game, despite damp conditions the toss held no fear for Skip as he duly won it and elected to have a bowl. For the first time this year the opening partnership of the Goat and the Pirate failed to take a wicket however the West Lothian batsmen were playing their own game of lets not score any runs so the start was a solid one for the Home side. After the introduction of Will Young’s military medium the pressure turned to wickets with a couple falling to catch’s behind from dug dug dug.  A further run out from Red Ross meant the visitors struggled find any momentum, further tight bowling from steamy and aftabulous meant they stuttered through their innings. Even the pocket rocket that is Kruger Van Wyk with his small hands failed to get his reverse V firing and they ended up with a mere 139 off the 49 overs.

The chase began after both teams had enjoyed the new weight watchers teas featuring a new dish to many of the players going by the name of s-a-l-a-d, although eating it without cutlery proved too difficult for some. As it became clear to West Lothian that their total was about 150 runs short of being competitive they quickly turned to moaning about the weather despite it brightening up. They could not control the weather and they could also not control the flurry of shots coming from the Great man and Longshanks who had ironically left his ‘leaves’ in the locker and was knocking the ball about with ease. The total was reached in a mere 24.4 overs.
All that was left to do was to fine Red Ross for being sun burnt, The Pirate for being late, Umar Gul for not wearing a west polo, and the Horse for having unbelievably small man nipples.

Next week the Bandwagon heads to Forfs for a crunch tie, any support will be most welcome however the 1st eleven cannot be held liable for any personal belongings that are stolen during our visit to Dundee.

Meanwhile The Partick Eleven led by the skipper McGravey travelled into Banjo country to St Micheals on Sunday and recorded an emphatic victory. Batting first on what was described as a ploughed cabbage patch used for mine testing by the army they managed to post a competitive 144. Thanks in the main part by a partnership from McGravey himself (36) and that guy from the BT advert who made a jug avoiding 46. When it came to fielding the ball was quickly tossed to the Walking Hernia who bagged himself a cheeky six for, he was well supported by the Kitten who took a couple himself. That was that and St Michaels were shot out for 80 odd, Cold shower, quick change and back in the cars overtaking tractors and horse and carts alike on the way back up to the big smoke to catch the end of the footie.

There was also a Scottish cup game played on Sunday but it was decided that it would be best for all if the teams concentrated on their league campaigns. It also made the players warm and fuzzy inside to see how happy Prestwick were with their victory, best of luck to them and their merry band of supporters in the next round.

Please note that these views are those of the guest blogger (Its all just a bit of banter) and do not reflect those of the mighty West of Scotland CC.

Supersaturday is a damp squib for McCrea FS West

It was Midsummers day with Magners cases on offer!  Rain was the main winner as it swept across most of Scotland bringing Duckworth Lewis into play in SNCL matches.  West lost their first league match of 2008 at Stenhousemuir while main rivals Aberdeenshire and Forfarshire overtook West as a result of Aberdeenshire’s 1 run win at Forthill.  So halfway stage - third place, lots to play for in the next two months.

Spegsie won a case of Magners with a 52 for Partick (His return from injury well timed)  Jamie Burton missed out by 1 run while Cammy missed out by 1 wicket and a few dropped catches!  Magners would have been swapped for Millers in any case!!

Bobby Kettlewell had a nightmare at Stenhousemuir - no Guinness and Duckworth Lewis on the same day. Bobby tells me that Penicuik and Poloc don’t cater for his pre-match refreshment . Which other clubs will disappoint our scorer during the rest of this season!!

Congrats to Dougie McCrea on managing to climb up and stagger down Ben Nevis for charity.  What a man - Wimbledon, Ben Nevis, Vienna and Hamilton Crescent - all in 4 weeks.  Also congrats to Wilson Galloway on raising cash for West by completing last weeks 10k.  Commiserations to Tony Lewis for dropping a bbq table on his toe 48 hours before the start.  Tony - the distance you will go to avoid.. He’s back in training for September!!

Saturday evening saw a super event at West.  The Outside Edgers organised a food night at West and they were rewarded by raising the superb sum of £409.  Well done ladies, a magnificent effort which brought out the competitive nature of young and old alike.  When last was there a competition on a Sat night at West at 9.45pm to get a pound coin closest to a vodka bottle.  Super stuff - so it was supersaturday after all!

Your blogging chairman is departing this Sat for USA so we need other correspondents over the next few weeks.  Ask Alex Redmond to let you in to the secret of how to blog on this site!

While I am away I expect great things from everyone to maintain the positive progress we have made this season - keep enjoying it!  Sat 12 July sees a return of the McCrea hospitality - hopefully they see another West win - but a bit more cricket!!  Stay around on 12th because Ross Brown and his men have organised a Westathlon that evevning in the Clubhouse.  A large attendance will make for a great day.

On Sun 20th July I return from Cape Cod - just in time for another Outside Edgers event - Kwik Cricket family style, a BBQ and a Junior game v Nunholm at West from mid morning onwards.  The following day is the West Annual Sixes (from about 11am) - with the McCrea All Stars amongst the starters. 

So lots to look forward to - on and off the field, especially as Spegsie ahould have his case of magners by then which he said he would share with all!!     Bye for now from one of the 3 Wise Men of West.

 

West & Forfarshire turn tables on Aberdeenshire

Saturday saw a dramatic shift at the top of SNCL Division One.  While McCrea FS West were taking care of Freuchie at Hamilton Crescent  Stenhousemuir were despatching Aberdeenshire at Mannofield. At the same time, Forfarshire thrashed West Lothian at Forthill so the table now reads:

McCrea FS West   64points, Forfarshire 62points, Aberdeenshire 61 points. 

All to play for next Saturday as West head to Stenhousemuir who are looking pretty challenging and Forfarshire host Aberdeen on Tayside.  This is the last Saturday of the first half of the season  -

definitely SUPERSATURDAY NO.1

Gregg Watson walked into form with 90 important runs. Grant Robinson backed him up well until the ball hit the pads and Gordon Goudie and Dave McNulty sparkled at the end of the innings.  Freuchie never really challenged and West deserved their victory. 

Dougie Lockhart - convalescing from his back injury was able to lift the McCrea FS West Man of the Month for May (with care!) - despite a close challenge from the well oiled machine and the pirate.

Will there be a new name on the trophy for June?

Must close now while my tempramental computer remains alive .  SuperSat will soon be here!!

Who needs Firhill for thrills when West Ones perform!!

A wonderful weekend for McCrea FS West.  The Teacher has already reported on the happenings at Penicuik on Saturday and these were matched at an idyllic Shawholm on Sunday when another great team performance secured an exciting victory over NVT Poloc in the Scottish Cup to secure a trip to Prestwick in the 2nd Round on Sunday 22nd June.  We might have dropped a few (maybe more than a few!) catches but we stuck in there - and won!

On Saturday I was Hamilton Crescent where unfortunately Partick were unhinged by Hillhead.  Phanni was run out by forgetting to step back in his crease at the non strikers end and nobody has yeat told Scott Robertson that he was out to the 7th ball of the over.  mind you, with the Hillhead pro spraying the ball everywhere in his four overs it proved difficult to keep count up to 6 ..or 7…or 8.

Partick got revenge over Hillhead last night in the Western Cup. Phanni stroked a masterful 66 or so to set up a challenging target which Hillhead just missed.

I haven’t reported on the 3s because I am now tempting the 3rd XI Captain and tabloid scribe to take up the challenge and join the 2 bloggers now posted on this site.

Saturday sees the 1s play Freuchie at West and Partick go to Old Anniesland to play GHK - both vital matches.

Until next week……..

 

Unbelievable and thrilling - just like the da vinci code

A post - in true da vinci style - by a blogger known as the    T e A cher

As we got close to Penicuik my better half spotted a sign for Roslin Chapel, where Dan Brown’s novel reaches its climax.  She suggested that she would rather go there than the cricket and I promised to take her there next time we are in the area!!

The Penicuik ground looked a picture in the sunshine but as we were about to find out there were some hidden traps in the outfield in the shape of hills and dales.  In horse racing parlance, Duggie fell at the first and was out of the game.  The pro became the gloveman and a pretty good job he made of it but wasn’t helped by some bowlers testing his agility with 21 wides.  I must say (Editors comment - a further hint on who the author is) as an old opening bowler (not applicable to Davie and Gordy) that they say bowlers come in pairs - and opposites attract.  Here we have the smooth well-oiled machine at one end and the swashbuckling pirate at the other and how well they complement each other.

Talking of old bowlers we had Willie Morton in the opposition doing some pretty good impersonations of Monty Panesar celebrations especially when he got rid of Youngy and Gordy.  I suspect there is a bit of history there!!!!

The climax to the game was spectacular with the unlikely trio of Ricky, Crannie and the Pirate plundering somewhere near 100 runs in the last 10 overs.

Penicuik were shellshocked and so was I!

TA

Mannofield Magic for McCrea FS West

Back blogging after a weekend in Northumberland last weekend - so missed that cracking stand between Grant Robinson and Ian Young which set up another win in the SNCL.

Survived a long day starting with the bus leaving for Aberdeen at 7.15am and returning just before midnight on Sat/Sun.  In between saw the most focussed and professional performance from McCrea FS West since the heady days of Colin Mair’s stewardship!!  This resulted in a magnificent six wicket win against league leaders Aberdeenshire which leaves us 8 points behind.  Great team bowling brought a share in the wickets with Aftab taking 3 in an over ( a turning point in the game) and then Dougie played a measured innings of 80 no with great support from Grant (40) and Gregg (22) …. and then a cracking square cover drive from the Finisher to bring home the points.  Great facility at Mannofield, Aberdeenshire are deserving of their international recognition and despite the cold weather while Glasgow baked — this was a great day out, rounded off by fish suppers in Stonehaven and some entertainment in the bus on the return journey with Spegsy finding his true vocation as a Travel Courier.     Sunday saw rain at Poloc in the Scottish Cup and we get another chance to plan a trip to Prestwick in the second Round,

Sky Sports filmed the game at Mannofield and it will feature in their Club feature at a  lunch interval at the next test match..  I will let you know exactly when once my spies in Aberdeen confirm the precise time.

A great win for the 2s also on Saturday - suspect the 3s were rained off on Sunday but there is plenty of cricket ahead at West over the next two weeks - check the “Whats on at West” notice in the Pavilion.

We will be welcoming Douglas McCrea and his guests back to West on Sat 12th July when we play Drumpellier.  He is playing safe this time as his guests are being invited in time for…lunch!

That’s all for now folks - how about a reply from someone to make this blog a bit more interesting.

Hat-trick History at Hamilton Crescent

On the very day the West of Scotland CC Exhibition opened at the Kelvingrove Art Galleries more history occurred at West’s famous ground.  (Make sure you visit this exhibition on the ground floor of the museum - it is excellent!!)

With his first three balls Dave McNulty, West’s opening bowler took three wickets  HAT-TRICK NUMBER 1 and by 2.15pm Arbroath United were 31 all out (Dave 6 for 16, Gordon Goudie 4 for 13)

Game over shortly after 3pm with West winning by 9 wickets.   I never thought i would be concerned about such a quick victory (Well done guys, magnificent bowling and catching) but………

Douglas McCrea had invited 60 guests to watch the game for 2.30pm and as they strolled in, the players strolled off!!  What were we to do!!    Well a game was arranged between Youngs 8 and McCreas 8 which was keenly fought over 15 overs  115 to 106 but……..HAT-TRICK NUMBER 2

Matthew Deanne - one of Dougie’s guest -took three successive wickets with the last three balls of Youngs 8s innings so creating another bit of history at Hamilton Crescent.

I think everyone enjoyed Saturday - for a variety of reasons - although I am certain a number of Dougies guests would have sore bones and muscles on Sunday morning.  Thanks to McCrea FS and their guests for having a ball at West last Saturday.  We look forward to welcoming you back soon.

Victory for McCrea FS West on Sunday against Ferguslie in Cockspur Cup ( Dougie Lockhart 117).  Uddinston at West this Sunday after Saturday’s League encounter with Stirling County.

The 2s drew with East Kilbride - hope Joh McGrady’s eye opens soon!

Apologies to Gavin Smith - he who took 8 wickets for the 2s the previous weekend.  It was he and not Gavin Reid!!

Thanks to Eddie Rose and Sanna for entertaining us last Friday.  Great night -  Eddie and his boys are like the Rolling Stones - they gather no moss!  Hope you will come back again.

Well thats it for this week - a week frought with computer difficulties.  I am away this weekend but will catch up with all the news in time for next weeks blog.

 

 

Thunderstorm makes Coatbridge Match almost pointless

McCrea FS West’s challenge for First Division honours suffered a blow at the hands of the thunderstorm which forced the abandonment of Saturday’s match with Drumpellier.  After 3 weeks of season 2008 Aberdeenshire and McCrea FS West are both undefeated in the league but the table reads Aberdeenshire, P3 W 3 Points 30, McCrea FS West P3 W1 No result 2 Points 14.  The points system is at best dubious and at worst crazy( My opinion, not neccesarily that of WSCC!) Things might balance out later in the year - who knows!    We saw some great bowling from Gordon Goudie whose 4 wicket haul earned him a game for the Saltires on Sunday when he bowled a tidy spell.

A great win for the 2s after being bowled out by Kelburne for 97.  After a long rain break 16 year old Gavin Reid took 8 (yes, eight) for 24 to dismiss Kelburne (Budgie and all) for 84.  Congratulations, Gavin - a great performance.  The 3s had an easy win against Bute on Sunday while on Friday evening there was a win for the u-15s but the u-11s lost.

West earned great publicity in the Sun in an article about English football, recording the fact that Scotland beat England 3 -0 at Hamilton Crescent in 1876.  This is a fitting lead into an exhibition about Hamilton Crescent and West to be held in the Kelvingrove Art Galleries & Museum,  from Sat 16th May till Sunday 15th June.  Well worth a visit!

This Friday we welcome Eddie Rose and hid Band on his farewell tour - a fundraiser for ground equipment so please give your support from 7.30pm.

On Saturday we welcome McCrea Financial Services Ltd and their guests at the League Match with Arbroath and thank Douglas McCrea for providing the opportunity for his guests to be with us.  Limerick one week and Partick the next - definitely the high life for some!!

Sunday is the Cockspur Cup v Ferguslie at West  - lets look forward to a busy and winning week and that the weather stays kind at the weekend (for a change!!)

 

 

A Winning Weekend for the Ones

Glad to report 2 winning performances for McCrea FS West at Hamilton Crescent on Sat 3rd and Sun 4th May - defeating Forfarshire in the League and Uddingston in the West League Cup - as well as the weather.

What pleased me most - apart from the wins - was the team spirit with everyone contributing.  The fielding was excellent with some superb catching.  All round a good start with lots of positive vibes.  But this is only the start - everyone must keep focussed!

Pity about the scoreboard but it will be ready for use again by next weekend.  Our young scoreboard attendant did really well until a young lady started to chat him up in the latter stages of the Uddingston game.  He will learn that when you are involved in cricket you need to concentrate from start to end - no distractions allowed!!

The 2s got a draw at Helensburgh with a number of good perfomances and, again, a good team effort. Kelburne at home next Saturday so lets see a first win.

The 3s had a non playing weekend because although Victoria had a new pitch their outfield was unplayable.

So next weekend its Drumpellier away for the 1s, and Kelburne at homefor the 2s.

On Sun the 3s play Bute at West and theuder 11s play ferguslie on Friday.

Welcome to Season 2008

It seems a long time since the end of last season. We have worked hard during the winter to build a structure within the Club so that we are now in a position to enjoy our cricket throughout 2008 - and be successful!

A warm welcome to Grant Robinson, our Coach and Professional from New Zealand, to Jason Harris our overseas player from Australia, to Gordon Goudie, from Stoneywood-Dyce ( not so far as the previous two), and a welcome return to Dougie Lockhart, fit and eager after last year’s bad injury.

Welcome back to all our players, seniors and juniors alike.  Good luck for Season 2008.

Thank you to Douglas McCrea of McCrea Financial Services, our 2008 Sponsor, for his support and interest in West.  We look forward to seeing you and your guests regularly throughout the season.

Thanks to those members who have worked exceptionally hard throughout the winter refurbishing the clubhouse.  The first stage is nearing completion, some work will be done in the next few weeks and more refurbishment will take place in September. A really good effort - thanks.

The Junior Season is also about to start. Jim Young continues as Junior Convenor despite his new responsibilities as President of Cricket Scotland.  Congratulations, Jim - a well deserved honour and I know you will be an outstanding ambassador for Scottish cricket and, hopefully, you can pull Clubs and Cricket Scotland ever closer so that we can grow the game of Cricket together in the coming years.   A Parents Committee has been formed under the title “The Outside Edgers” and I wish them well in all that they do at West. Please support their Quiz Night which will be held in the Clubhouse on Friday 23rd May at 7.30pm

The previous Friday, 16th May, come to West at 7.30pm to enjoy the sounds of Sanna (including Eddie Rose, the Hillhead CC veteran and well known West End raconteur).  This is Eddie’s farewell tour (again!!) and we shall be raising funds for new Ground Equipment at this event.

Last Saturday we had a brilliant Race Night at West - run by Iain Cran and the Players.  The best one yet!  If the Players continue in the same vein on the field we will have a great season.

We have the first league Saturday ahead of us which the 1s  (McCrea FS West) and the 2s (Partick) look forward to with enthusiasm and confidence.  A tough season ahead of us can bring success if we play to the top of our game throughout the season and maintain our focus in the challenges ahead.

 

JR