Issue 6

Why Carlton? Fraser Burnett was a new arrival at Carlton in 2019 and fitted right in - he tells what Carlton means to him When I decided to return to playing cricket, I always knew Carlton would be the club for me in Edinburgh. Having played against Carlton for a number of years, I had wonderful memories of Grange Loan and I had an idea of what type of club it is. When rocking up to training last season, a little apprehensive, I was welcomed by Ali and everyone else with open arms. Those who know Arbroath well, know what a tight knit community it is and that everyone is related in some way... So, when I started meeting everyone at Carlton and quickly realised that everyone's name ended in Murray or Simpson, I felt right at home. Carlton is very fortunate to have so many wonderful people that make it the place it is: From the hardworking volunteers, like Kerry and Sibs, to excellent coaches, like Gilly and Sibs, and the catering organisation (again, Sibs) the club is very lucky to have so many members who make the community what it is. It is particularly great to see the younger members of the club who are genuine friends and choose to spend their free time there, beyond matches, all because of this great sport that we play. A cricket club, for me, is something to be proud of: a community to stand up and to be a part of, a feeling of belonging. When my girlfriend decided that we should move to a house which is only a five minute bike ride away from Grange Loan, I could not have been more delighted. But it is not just physical location that creates community spirit and in the current situation, it is more important than ever to find ways to keep that strong Carlton CC community that people have worked so hard to build. I have no doubt we will be back stronger than ever and I, for one, am very excited to grace the hallowed turf of Grange Loan once more. Whose well worn pads are these?

A match to remember In the last match of the Famous Fives inaugural season in 2016, they faced Marchmont 3s on the diminutive pitch at Cavalry Park 3. Wins had been hard to come by in the Fives’ first season. Some good bowling by the juniors - Rua (5.2-1-18-3), Euan (6-0-31-2) and Ethan (8-3-13-3) gave the Fives a target of 192. After 32 overs, Carlton were on 151-7 when things got a bit heated. The Marchmont skipper objected to a bowler being called for bowling bouncers that flew several feet over Jamie Beattie’s head. He was further incensed when Alan Murray was adjudged not out off a bump ball (a near relation umpiring). Play continued under a different umpire and the Captain’s report takes over the story: “With 8 overs left 39 runs were still needed with Alan and Jamie in the middle. Scampered singles and the occasional boundary gradually reduced the runs required without further loss of wickets and we went into the last over. ‘We needed 8 for victory. Cooper’s previous 5 overs had gone for 12 runs, one of our batters was 10 years old and so the odds were stacked in Marchmont’s favour. ‘First ball, swish and a miss from Alan, second ball a single to mid-on, third ball swish and a miss from Jamie (seven needed off three)…. Jamie calmly pushed to cover for a single off the fourth ball (six off two)….Alan’s clump to cow off the penultimate ball brought two more scampered runs and Carlton needed a boundary off the last ball. Cooper bowled a length ball, and Alan who in a moment of proper cricket swung straight down the line and launched the ball directly back over the bowler ….the long-on fielder raised both hands high above his head to signal the maximum and Carlton had won by 3 wickets.’ An outstanding game and a fantastic team performance to conclude the first season of Fifth XI cricket in Carlton’s' history. The Fives’ first season was tough. But see how the juniors introduced to senior cricket that year have progressed - it is clear it was worth it. Diary Dates 15 May - The Third Social Isolation Quiz - email CarltonQuiz@gmail.com to enter 22 May - Club AGM - Full information on this link http://carltoncc.co.uk/2020/05/01/ notice-of-virtual-agm/