The Club’s players have been preparing for the upcoming season by attending the net practice sessions at Philiphaugh on Tuesday and Thursday evenings; the photo shows a good turn-out for the first nets on Tuesday 1st April.
Back row from left: G. Fenton, R. Banks, L. McCulloch, M. Fenton & D. Gardiner. Kneeling: A. Robertson, D. Heard, M. Gillie, B. Gillie,, G. Borthwick.
The cricket season is about to start, and there’ll be a couple of posts about preparations for that in the coming days, before the first match at home against Edinburgh South 2 on Saturday 26th April.
Meantime, we need to celebrate the outcome of the major competition that takes place at the Club over the close season. The Celtic Bhoys are cock-a-hoops after their Factory Cup Carpet Bowls triumph!
In a repeat of the 2023 final, Celtic Bhoys defeated the Agriculture Boys 13-9 to win the club’s 2025 Factory Cup. However, a new-look Ex-Standard Bearers team came within a whisker of reaching the final themselves, with their semi-final against the Celtic Bhoys going to an extra end after finishing 8-8 – the Celtic Bhoys eventually clinching victory. The other semi-final saw the Agriculture Boys overcome Bob’s Babes 15-9. In the 3/4th place play-off, the Ex-Standard Bearers defeated Bob’s Babes 16-7.
Competition organiser Lorna Blake presents the Factory Cup shield to Celtic Bhoys skip Kenny Paterson, watched by his teammates John Coyle (left) and Derek Roden. Lorna herself later received two presentations – one from the SCC Committee and one from the Factory Cup players – in recognition of all her hard work over the winter months.
Former player John Smail is the new President of the Club. The appointment was made at the club’s January Committee meeting.
The 71-year-old retired newspaper editor, who will also assume the Secretary’s role, takes over the Presidency from Roger Arnold, who was warmly thanked for all his hard work and for his continuing commitment to the club.
“Roger’s are big shoes to fill,” said John, “but I will do my best to maintain the standards he has set. With the new season just over the horizon, there’s plenty of work to be done.”
“There are some fresh faces on our committee too, and the foundations look to be in place for a successful year. On a personal note, it’s great to be back.”
Also, Daniel Heard has been appointed as Captain of the club’s 1st XI, with Rory Banks & Greg Fenton acting as his Vice-captains.
Outgoing president Roger Arnold (right) congratulates his successor John Smail.
The Club has a Child & Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy
The Club invites members, current and new, to come to the Philiphaugh Pavilion on Saturday April 19th, from 11.00-13.00, to pay (if they’ve not already done so) for their 2025-26 Memberships, and pick up the new season’s Membership Card. Coffee and traybakes will be provided!
See the attached flyer. Please note, though, that due to a production error, the Card and flyer show an incorrect rate for Concessionary (Unwaged) Membership; it is £10 for 2025-26 season.
