LEAGUE WEEK 1 - 27TH APRIL

[mo-te a.k.a chubby]

The Ones play their first game of the season against St. Boswells at Leith Academy park (home ground for the 1s this season). Meet at the ground at 11:45 am sharp!!!!
New facilities and a bit of work to do before the game starts.

Team selected in no particular order -

Maggy
Sam
Asif
Amol
Luke
Tom
Neil
Jaz
Adnan
Farooq
Anand

Lets get this season off to a great start lads.

Up the MUFS!!!!

[mo-te a.k.a chubby]

Message from Phil Hawkins -

The 2s play their first game on Sunday 28th April vs Kirk Brae.
Game is at Roseburn park on the artifical. Please remember NO SPIKES!!

Team in no particular order -

Phil
Nadeem
Banksy
Richie
Madhu
Bharat
Fin
Shatabda (wk)
Alex
Norm
Somanna

All of you will be contacted by Phil for further details.

[wheels]

BATMAN BEGINS (WITH 20 POINTS)

The Batman era got off to a flying start (see what I did there?) with a convincing 92 run victory over newly-promoted St Boswells at Leith Academy.

Our new (albeit temporary) home ground had held up pretty well to Friday's barrage of rain/hail/thunderstorms/hurricanes/plagues of locusts – but both the pitch and the outfield appeared to have been largely untroubled by lawnmowers, leaving us with a bright green pitch that looked like it would be sporting to say the least. It looked like a very good toss to lose – so inevitably, Batman won it, and took the brave decision to bat first.

At 118 for 2 in the 33rd over, Anand's positive move at the toss appeared to be paying off, with Adnan making his way to a confident 44 and Asif contributing a rapid 29, including a huge straight six to get off the mark. The returning Luke defied new-baby-induced sleep deprivation to top score with a classy 47, we were looking well set for a score in excess of 200.

I know what you're thinking: “Who are you, and what have you done with the MUFS?”

Well, you'll be pleased to know that normal service was swiftly resumed, with the quest for quick late innings runs bringing about a familiar-looking collapse. The last eight wickets fell in less than 13 overs, with several batsmen perishing in failed attempts to clear the long on and deep midwicket fielders. But at least this positive approach kept the runs flowing, with Batman (18) and Jasir (16) helping us to reach 188 all out after 45 of the allotted 50 overs. The bulk of the damage was inflicted by Young (4-41), McNeil (2-32) and captain Broom (2-14), with a wicket apiece for Marshall and White.

As we demolished a splendid tea (thanks as ever to Lorna and her glamorous assistant, Mr Belly), we might have been mildly regretful at failing to bat out the full 50 overs, but to be honest 188 looked a good score on a decent but two-paced (and, er, two-heighted) pitch. And so it proved as Sam ran through the St Boswells top order with an outstanding spell of 10-4-7-3, supported by Jasir (1-19).

With Neil keen to bowl once the shine had gone off the ball, Tom helpfully accelerated this process by being hit to all parts by Broom, who had earlier dismissed him for a second ball duck (at least the St Boswells skipper was generous enough not to launch into a chant of “can I play you every week” as Tom skulked back to fine leg). As he raced to a top score of 40, a few Muffers were glancing nervously at the scoreboard and beginning to get slightly twitchy; but Neil quickly dispelled any fears by trapping Broom LBW, then cleaning up McNeil with a beauty next ball. The hat-trick ball was well kept out by Turnbull, but Yelly wasn't to be denied, eventually bowling Paterson to wrap up the innings, and leaving himself with the superb figures of 7.1-3-13-4.

Seasoned observers attributed Neil's fine performance to his characteristically responsible drinking the night before – it's always encouraging when a description of the evening's revelry begins with the word “apparently” – but the hangover proved no hindrance to another fine bowling display from our tattooed talisman. At the other end, Maggy bowled with his usual combination of control, skill and late swing, taking 2 for 30 from his 9 overs as St Boswells were dismissed for 96 in the 33rd over.

Over several victory beers at our new local, the Parlour, we reflected on an occasionally rusty but generally very encouraging start to the new season under Captain Batman. New arrival Farooq brought calmness and sound technique to the opening partnership, backed up by a fine and committed performance in the field, and Luke's return provided additional steel and common sense to a strong-looking middle order. We're not the finished article just yet, as demonstrated by the batting collapse and a few early-season lapses in the field, but we certainly looked like a team capable of competing at the right end of Division 1 this season.

Congratulations to Batman, who did a fine job in his first game as official 1s captain, having previously deputised for Sam in the crucial win at Arboretum at the end of last season. Despite having four ex-captains in his side, he took to the role with confidence and good judgement, making the right decision at the toss, setting positive but sensible fields and seeing his bowling changes regularly rewarded with quick wickets.

Thanks to St Boswells for an enjoyable game played in excellent spirit. We look forward to visiting them later in the season and wish them all the best in their first season in Division 1.

And last but not least – UP THE MUFS!