Preston Village Cricket Club

Preston Village Panther began writing the next chapter of the Village People’s history on the 7th May when they took the field for the clubs first ever competitive under 13 match in a Scottish Cup tie against Heriots

The Panther field brilliantly but unfortunately the wide count eventually told as they restricted Heriots to 80 but could only score 51 themselves. The wide tally meant that what should have been an even closer game was in the end won by the more experienced visitors but the boy’s enthusiasm was contagious and everyone enjoyed their evening.

Thanks to all the parents, family member and club members who showed up to support the Panthers and a special thanks to the Goth for their tops.

A fuller match report in on the fixtures page on the site and a picture galley has been created to show some of the action

Nick smashed 98 and Davie King grabbed a patient 50 as the firsts amassed 216 for 9 before bowling out SMRH for 81 to secure their first league win of the season.

Davie and Nick enjoyed a partnership of 146 with the second highest 3rd wicket partnership in the clubs history to set up the total which as a result of excellent bowling and fielding was too much for the visitors who subsided to 81 all out.

Excellent catches by Shiraz and Hawkeye backed up by some superb ground fielding give the bowlers the opportunity, with Yoda taking most advantage with 3 for 20.

The first weekend of the league season brought mixed results for the Club.

The first went down by 3 wickets at RH/Corstorphine despite a fighting 55 by Dougie and some superb bowling by Shaz, Nick and Shylock.

The 2nd started their league campaign with a victory over Peebles where the star of the show was Shiraz with 48 (nice way of celebrating passing your driving test in the morning) and some exception fielding by everyone

Well done Guz and the boys

The season started with a disappointing performance as the 1st XI went down by 78 runs to Boroughmuir. The bowling and fielding was best described as average but the batting was poor as a succession of batsmen got themselves in then out, an hand injury to the boss which stopped him batting did little to help - BUT at least we got a game in and as usual the hospitality at the Goth was magic

Saturdays home pre-season game with Musselburgh has been cancelled

There is a nets session around 2pm, weather dependant.

Dig out the thermal's we are off and running for the 2008 Village People tour. We start with an away match at Musselburgh - if we're really lucky we may see a lost polar bear but hopefully the weather will imporve from here on in.

The team selection is on the web-site

This Wednesday (9th April 2008) is the first training session for the Panthers.

This year, the Panthers have entered the Lothian Under-13 League which starts at home to Edinburgh on the 12th May

Outdoor training stated at Polwarth on the 1st April (no jokes please) and will continue every Tuesday and Thursday for the remainder of the season with a 6.30 start. So get in the car, on you bike or simply amble over to get you eye in as the season starts in 2 weeks time – with the league games a month away

The awards night on Friday 29th was a great success with Scott McMillan scooping the top award of player of the year. Amongst the other successes were young Shiraz retaining his Young Player of the Year award, Dougie strolling off with the batting award and Macca grabbing the bowling award.

A full list of the award winners will be posted soon, along with the photos of the nights activities

This season's league fixtures for both 1st and 2nd XI have been released today from ESCA.

The 1st XI start with an away trip up town to face Royal High Corstorphine 2nds.

The 2nd XI will host Peebles County 2nds at Polwarth in their season opener.

Both games are on the 26th April

East Lothian will hold an Sports Relief Mile charity run (or walk, hop, etc, etc) and Preston Village have the honour of hosting the event..

The run will start at 10am on Sunday the 16th March at Polwarth, with the course consisting of laps of the boundary (the white line around the pitch for those that never get to pleasure of fielding out that way).

For those who are interested pre-season has begun..

Every Tuesday night for the next few months, Preston Village will be taking indoor training at Meadowmill with a emphasis on technique..NO NETS

We have been offered a Sunday morning appointment at the National Academy for net practice - this is to be confirmed at a later date

Everyone is welcome - the more, the merrier

If you didn't recieve a e-mail from Scott Russell then he is currently looking for this years award nominees for the following:

1) Club Player Of The Year
2) 2nd XI Player Of The Year
3) Clubman Of The Year
4) Most Improved Player
5) Young Player Of The Year
6) The Disappointment Perfoemance Of The Year (player/match)
7) Memorable Team Performance
8) Most Entertaining Moment (On/Off The Field)
9) The Randell Award (Best Fielder)
10) Fielder From Hell Award
11) Bowler From Hell
12) The Mano Award (Best Team Spirit)
13) Costal Erosion Award (Slowest Run Maker)
14) Pieterson Award (Fastest Run Maker)
15) Catch Of The Year
16) W.G. Said-Grace Award (Oldest Player)
17) No.11 Batman Award
18) The Warnie Award (Top Individual Performance)