Please Mr Zeus make the rain go away & the Eyes have it ... not.

Now if last weekend's washed-out league game would have been must win, then this (Sat 25 July) game, v Carlton 2 - sitting basically a win's worth of percentage points above us (in the last safe berth in Div 1) - is a Sky Sports worthy hype-overdrive blockbuster!

Or it will be if the weather Gods relent on us.

Having rained off a seemingly 'easy' 20 pts for the taking game v the (this year) weakened Heriot's FP 2s - then, on Friday, Zeus and Co. were doing their darned worse with some absolute downpours.
Skipper Wheels will I hope resist the temptations of watching Sussex v Claypole's Amp-ooh-ahh-shire on the telly in the FP Trophy.
Though being a good Brighton boy then it will be some compensation if the pitch is too wet. But only if Sussex win of course.
Forecast is better tho' so hopefully we (MDAFS) will be in action.

Apparently a new role tomorrow batting at 6. Chance to swing the willow more perhaps (or stop the rot?). Was actually hitting the ball quite sweetly in nets on Monday - my first real pratice for yonks - as the needs of Juniors training and matches has taken rightful precedent of late.
3rds skipper, Master Lacey, suggested that running the juniors has possibly cost me my form. He may be right. In the past it was all about the Ones and my performance that my focus was intensely on. Now it really matters a bit less I guess and building the Juniors is important.

Perhaps its also that natural dimming of competitive fires as realisation that Old Father Time is exacting his revenge for too many hours sat in front of PC screens and the knock-on effect on sight and general fitness. At least my eyes are deteriorating in the right way for a cricketer. Been noticing lately that reading tin labels etc etc requires one to hold them further and further away from you. Things far away still crisp as a Cos lettuce. Once a cricket ball is less than an arms length from your chin then I guess being able to read the makers label on the ball clearly without squinting doesn't really matter much...

Talk of Master Lacey... 3s game may very well see Shannon "Rasputin" Bonfield rather oddly play for Holy Cross's 2s against our lot. . Very odd, and a few Mufs eyebrows raised as HX 2s are in Div 5 relegation spot. . Rasputin is a bowler by the way. I'm sure Dazza is relishing facing Shazza. Will it be Ta Ra! Rasputin ?

On Sunday there's a Juniors kwik cricket fest for our youngsters (their last outing saw them win 3 out of 4 games which was a great fillip for them). Talking of Phillips... Sunday also sees a trip to scenic Bamburgh... scene of Phil Rogers PB of 93 (?) a few years back. Cath had come with him that day... but decided to wander off down the beach missing all his glory. Cath doesn't really get cricket anyway. Mrs Belly does, to her credit, but has a tolerate-hate relationship with it. Like with Mr Belly at times I guess. Mrs B not too happy that I refused to go out tonight... choosing domestics (shopping/laundry) over pouring booze down gob. And updating website etc etc. At least cannot "blame" raging hangover for a 3rd ball dismissal like last Sun v Bass Rock....

Forecast for Sunday is dreadful tho - shame as one senses Phildo is looking fwd to this match in partic in his farewell season. Please Mr Zeus... stop it. For Claypoles and the Muflings sakes.


Adieu... as its near 1am and there's some socks to hang out to dry...

P.S. I'm assuming Zeus has some form of line management 'seniority' over most weather-conversant deities.

Should really write something.... all these social networking things are insatiable... blogs , facebook, twittering.
On top of that the MDAFS website match report page is sorely out of date too.

Weather has been very wet today so games tomorrow must be in a bit of a doubt.

Must win game for us - well, nearly must win. Team has been stuttering badly. Last sat was an abysmal surrender - probably one of the most spineless Mufs 1st team performances i have witnessed. Now we are in the drop-zone. Perhaps that will give lads the kick up the arse they need - but too many morose, depressed types right now! Where are the fighters and warriors? Hard, ruthless cricket required. Or else 9 years of bleddy hard work getting team to Division 1 and staying there is in big danger of being thrown away.

Own personal form with the bat in League is pretty dire. Perhaps time to swing the willow and stop playing the Sir Geoff role...

At least the Club is doing well in the midweek cups - now into two finals (well one of them a semi-final/finals day). Hurrah for that. 3s and 4s teams in the League seem to be happy places... 2's need to get their act together fast too.... losing becomes a bad bad habit.

As they say there's always next week, next season etc etc to put things right.

Random thoughts...

... while munching on a hickory smoked chicken and mayo piece.

Wonder where the word piece came from (means sandwich in scottielando).

Rather frustrated our cricket game is off tonight - called off by opposition just as rain stopped - now clouds parted to give glimpse of sun - for a bit. Probably too wet underfoot anyway.

Good result for the MDAFS lads and Captain Wheels in Cow Corner 20/20 trophy last night. Decided last year one is bit too aged for this thrash-about stuff mow - partic in the field. But had a more than a run-a-ball thrash for 55 not oot last Wed playing for the old gits (XL Scotland/40s) team v Kelvinside Academy. Did pretty well with the ball too. But was against some 15 years olds (though some would not be out of place in Div 1 !!)

Need a succession of horribly crap scores playing League cricket to get dropped to a sufficiently rubbish level so I can get a bowl on Saturdays. But have put in some useful but unspectacular scores opening the batting in best gnarly old git fashion so Captain Wheeler keeps picking me.
A 34 on Sat was quite pleasing but same old story - do the hard bit and get out immediately when about to have a bit of fun swinging the willow. Anyway smacking the gobby ex-Cramond player Jason Bailey for a couple of fours in one over was quite fun. And a priceless win at home to break the Roseburn jinx. How our bowlers contrived to bowl 33 wides is beyond me... let the Belly bowl (straight at least).

Master Clench still in not a happy place about the Roseburn Park cricket experience though. Needs to cheer up a bit.

Mrs Belly probably quite happy game off tonight.
Has been an interesting few weeks with decorating etc project since Mrs B decided to move in properly. Elvis has had to leave the building sadly. Has given Mrs B more reason to find things to shout about (probably rightly so). Bit annoyed she chucked my complete music tapes compilation out though.

My piece is now finished so will sign off and have a cuppa.

Welcome....

Mr Belly welcomes you to this Blog.

Likely content will revolve around food, cricket (Murrayfield-DAFS CC) and Mrs Belly.
Probably.
And Stoke City.
It will probably ramble on at times. Like Mr Belly.

Anyway, must dash as (surprise surprise) must go and eat.

Yours in pie

Belly