Season 2019 Round-up
Some you win, some you lose! The 2019 season was disappointing both weather and performance wise, especially when compared to our achievements and the sunshine in 2018. The 1st XI finished second, the 2nd XI fifth and the 3rd XI third in their respective leagues. Our Scottish Cup defence was cut short by Carlton in the quarter finals (and they also took the Watts Frazer Trophy off us!).
Congratulations to Forfarshire on doing the treble (League, National League Champions and Murgitroyd Tropy) and to Heriot’s on winning the Scottish Cup.
We ventured into Minor Counties territory by sending a 1st XI side to play Shropshire CCC in two T20 matches in July and had an U11 side up from Staffordshire for a weekend in June. All about raising the standard and testing ourselves against stronger opposition.
Our junior numbers continue to grow and the Summer Camp weeks in July/August were well attended. The U16’s won their Scottish Cup (previously the U15 SC). Congratulations to them. The U11 side which went to the Shrewsbury School Festival in July came away with a lot of praise. It is here, their skills and mentality to perform at a higher level are tested, perhaps for the first time, against county sides with a much greater resource pool. Could we perhaps get a second week somewhere?
For me the Champagne Moment of the season was young Rory Grant’s (aged 11¾) hundred against New East Wales at the Shrewsbury Festival. After an opening stand of 71 in twelve overs he kicked on to reach his hundred, including sixteen fours, in 108 balls, having batted for 38.2 overs, and spending two hours at the crease! Rory is a fine example of some of the talented cricketers coming through the age groups and hopefully we will see them develop further next season. Whatever the talent level, it is more about playing and learning some of the life skills the great game of cricket can teach a young person.
The Grange Cricket Academy, now in its fourth year, continues to make a name for itself under the stewardship of John Blain and Dr Raj McCrea-Routray. We are now an appointed hub to the Joe Root Academy (R66T) and are also affiliated with the Darren Lehmann Cricket Academy in Australia.
Off the field I felt a bit of the buzz and frolics seemed to be missing from last season! A club needs certain characters to pull everyone together but unfortunately, two or three ‘socially confident’ individuals had moved on. They need replacing or recalled quickly!
Sadly we have had to say goodbye to our partner and supporter for the past six years, namely Mazars. It has been a fantastic relationship and I thank them for agreeing to be associated with the Club. This obviously creates an opportunity for someone else to join us on our cricketing journey and I hope to be making an announcement soon.
Over the season 8 players were ‘Out First Ball’ (Elliot Keenan twice), 5 bowlers claimed ‘Five For’ and 4 batsmen accumulated a ‘Ton’. Well down in the ‘Tons & Five For’ department compared to last season.
Finally, my thanks to everyone, who by their efforts make play possible; scorers, umpires, tea ladies (or lad’dies) and their helpers, coaches, ground staff (Tom and Kevin), the committees (Junior, Senior and General), team captains, Robin Pollok, Bobby Frazer, Neil Ritchie, Justin Lyons (Club Manager) and our bar staff.
Oh, and by the way, a Test Match has to be played over 5 days!
Rawdon Hesketh
Hon President
We ventured into Minor Counties territory by sending a 1st XI side to play Shropshire CCC in two T20 matches in July and had an U11 side up from Staffordshire for a weekend in June.
Whatever the talent level, it is more about playing and learning some of the life skills the great game of cricket can teach a young person.
Off the field I felt a bit of the buzz and frolics seemed to be missing from last season!
Sadly we have had to say goodbye to our partner and supporter for the past six years, namely Mazars.