Musselburgh Cricket Club

Musselburgh Cricket Club are a Scottish amateur cricket club based in Musselburgh, East Lothian. They are a member of the East of Scotland Cricket Association (ESCA), and have two XIs playing in the ESCA East League. In 2009, the 1st XI will compete in Division 3, and the 2nd XI in Division 6.

History

The exact origins of the club are unknown. The first known mention of the club in cricketing records was in the 1920s, but cricket is known to have been played in Musselburgh for many years before then.

During the 1940s and 1950s, the club played under the auspices of Brunton's Wire Mill, one of the biggest employers in Musselburgh throughout much of the 20th century, and manufacturers of the wire used on the Forth Road Bridge. During this time, the club played at Shire Haugh in the town, which is now the site of Monktonhall Golf Club.

In 1952, the club moved to their present-day home of Lewisvale Park, in the Inveresk part of Musselburgh. The club name was changed back to Musselburgh Cricket Club at this time. The club has been based at Lewisvale since then, although games are sometimes played on the Pinkie playing fields, and at the playing fields of Loretto School.

Recent Years

The club suffered some lean years in the mid-1990s, when they struggled to field eleven players every week. However, the club has enjoyed a major resurgence since then, following a spirited recruiting effort in the local community. They have fielded two XIs in the ESCA East League since 2003. Since then, the 1st XI have won promotion four times in 5 years, climbing from Division 7 to Division 3, and the 2nd XI have climbed from Division 8 to Division 6 via 2 promotions in 3 years.

The club have also competed in the East Lothian Village League since 2005, and have won the title at every time of asking so far (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008).

2006 saw Musselburgh's best ever performance in a cup competition, when they reached the final of the Edinburgh Public Parks Trophy. They were however beaten at the last by Edinburgh Cricket Club, who play in the Scottish National Cricket League. In 2007 they narrowly lost the final of the Cricket Scotland National Indoor Sixes, edged out with 3 balls to go by SNCL Premier club Heriots FPCC.

External links

* [http://www.musselburghcc.co.uk Musselburgh Cricket Club Official Site]
* [http://www.eastleague.org.uk ESCA East League]