Anniversary festivities on hold at St Boswells CC

St Boswells Cricket Club was formed in 1895

But they reckon the festivities to observe their 125th anniversary can be salvaged – and the milestone in their history may be observed a year late, if possible.

Domestic cricket in Scotland is supended until June 1 but that date looks almost certain to be extended.

Cricket Scotland is expected to make a statement soon, after saying it would await the latest Government information (issued last week) on lockdown advice and potentnial exit strategy.

A game scheduled for May 30 between the current St Boswells squad and a St Boswells Legends XI has formally been postponed.

Peter Glover, a title-winning captain from 1983, had been set to don the whites again and assemble a team of ‘old’ players to challenge the current XI – which is captained by his son Jamie.

“Just now, we are leaving open the possibility of doing it at end of season but, again, it’s got to be unlikely,” said the club’s Richard Young.

A 125th Celebration Night and Dinner Dance, with limited tickets, was still being planned for Saturday, September 5, at the Buccleuch Arms.

“The anniversary dinner dance celebrations are still officially on just now – but we are not going to start selling tickets, as expected, just yet,” added Mr Young.

“It would be a fair statement to say we are not confident of getting any cricket played this year, or any of the celebrations in – anything would be a bonus.

“Most likely is that we’ll celebrate in fine fashion our 126th anniversary next year and rearrange everything then.”

Mr Young explained that, by the time the season finished, normally at the end of August, there was always a rush to get work done on the square and wicket before the grass stopped growing.

“So, as soon as the season is called off, we are going to make a big effort to take advantage of the extra summer growing months and do a lot more wicket work than usual,” he said.

“There is certainly a more than normal numberof volunteers from the squad, keen to get out the house.

“On the squad WhatsApp group, we’re champing at the bit to get up there and muck in – whenever allowed and with social distancing, of course.”

“We’re also going to continue the work on the refurbishment of the club house and ground, which we started in the first week of March and was then stopped.”