Scottish Cup Tie

Match on Saturday Nov 1 is the First Round East of Scotland Cup at Riccarton v Silverknowes. KO 2pm.
Saturday Nov 8 sees the Star playing in Glasgow in the Scottish Cup, 3rd Round against either Glencastle Sparta or Gourock whose replay is on Nov 1.
Star will be probably be taking a coach through and definite numbers are required before this is booked. All support would be welcomed for this trip to Weegieland.

Next Match

Next game is the second round of the Logan Cup (bye in first round) on Saturday Oct 18. Home to Pilton Albion Wanderers at Riccarton. 2pm ko. Assemble Riccarton concourse at 12.30. Park Bar welcomes us back for eats.

Goal Scorers 2008-09

Peter Nicols 13
Paul MacAnulty 12
Sean Rayment 2
Mark McGuinness 2
Craig Murray 4
Norrie Dunnett 1
Mikey Dixon 1
Jason Nolan 2
Graham 1
Stewart 1
Davy1

Star 2 North Berwick 0

Wacky Races 2nd Round
Watt Star 2 North Berwick 0


1 Hughey Hewitt as Dick Dastardly in the Mean Machine
5 Cleishy as a Slag Brother in the Bouldermobile
11 Gam as The Gruesome Onesome in the Creepy Coupe
4 Aitchy as Red Max in the Crimson Haybailer
3 Robbo as The Ant Hill Mob in the Bulletproof Bomb
10 Craig as Lazy Luke in the Arkansas Chuggabug
7 Stevie as Professor Pat Pending in the Convert-a-Car
6 Mikey as Sergeant Blast in the Army Surplus Special
2 Jason as Rufus Ruffcut in the Buzz Wagon
8 Macca as Penelope Pitstop in the Compact Pussycat
9 Pistol as Peter Perfect in the Turbo Terrific


Replacement cars: Niall as Private Meekly
Gindo as Muttley
Stewart as Sawtooth
Alisdair as the Hooded Claw.

An excellent race with the most pleasing aspect of it being no fuel
spilled (clean sheet) - something Star have been striving for what seems a very long time.. . .
Following the excellent performance of last week, only one - enforced
- change was made, as Doc was unavailable since he had been busy
donating a tip to the willy surgeon, so one of the Slag Brothers
stepped in to the defence. Star had been warned before the match that
they had to accelerate away from the grid quickly and avoid being
shunted off their usual passing game and this is exactly what they did
with an early breakaway by Penelope Pitstop who raced clear but hit
wide with her left tyre.
And shortly afterwards she went broadside into an opposition vehicle
with some superficial damage sustained to her chassis, but not enough
to leave the race.
Dick Dastardly sleazily kept things calm with some excellent
maintenance/distribution although he didn't get his hands really
dirty, nevertheless he found time to make a save for the cameras,
while the Ant Hill Mob kept their patch crook-free. Slag brother
fitted in just like a Kwik Fit Fitter and Red Max showed why his
bodywork is admired from afar (well, it can be seen from Fife!) as the
Gruesome Onesome completed the defensive quattro.
The mid-field battle had Lazy Luke - resplendent with his go-faster
stripe on his sunroof and Sergeant Blast driving his vintage, very
fitting for this veteran - involved in minor crashes while Professor
Pat Pending nipped around the periphery as Rufus Ruffcut sneaked into
the front row of the grid from time to time. Fortunately his engine
did not let him down as he covered a fair amount of the track.
Peter Perfect, it has to be said was not firing on all cylinders with
a couple of wrong turns being made during this crucial race, but, as
usual, he put more miles on the clock than most. Penelope Pitstop
still seems to have a slow puncture, but performed in this race as
though it was a demolition derby!
Biggest worry was the number of chances which were not being taken and
by half time the total was up to 6 - all decent openings, mostly
created by good, quick football and the warning triangles were out for
a sucker-punch blow.
And at the refuelling pit stop, the drivers were all warned that they
had to take at least a couple of these chances - we had created 6 and
we would create at least another 6, but apart from that no oil changes
were needed, although the addition of Sat Nav to find the route to
goal may well have helped.
The second lap was similar to the first as again, opportunities went
begging with Peter less than Perfect as he volleyed one over the bar
when it looked easier to score.
But he wasn't the only guilty party in this aspect of the race with a
few of the other drivers mis-firing!
As the game went into the final laps, with still no chequered flag
looking iminent, the Star struck as Penelope Pitstop had a couple of
bites at her cherry before poking it away. And she celebrated by
skidding to a halt leaving skiddy marks on the grass where there
shouldn't ought to be skiddy marks.
15 miles to go...
The Gruesome Onesome found himself chasing back to collect the ball
as it slowly crept towards the line and he calmly walked away with it
to start another attack and his almost impeccable performance was
earning him the top spot on the driver's podium, with Red Max almost
up his exhaust pipe.
One goal is never enough, especially for the chief mechanic's nerves
and the mid-field battle was becoming just that with cars colliding
regularly, but the Star drivers came out on top in the physical duels
as well as in the finesse department.
Professor Pat Pending came in to the pits to refuel and Sawtooth
joined the race and buzzed around like a bee in a biscuit tin.
More chances came and went and the Ant Hill Mob tried to show the way
with a brilliant effort which skidded past the lampost.
The Slag Brother's engine passed this early test as this was his first
proper drive for a good number of weeks and he may well be better when
his engine is more finely tuned, but he can be pleased that his tyres
had enough tread to cope.
And then, disaster for the North Berwick team as their wheels came
off. Their back-seat driver attempted to bypass Peter Perfect, but
didn't allow for his ridiculously- telescopic wheels and the bonnet of
the team picked his spot, then when that had dried up (Clearasil) he
parked the fitba' in to calm the jangly nerves of the chief mechanic
and his ass-man.
7 minutes left as the Star wound down the clock, although the
communication did not seem to work in all of the cars since no vehicle
suffered a flat tyre or even needed a quick polish, although Penelope
did hold things up on the edge of the track while she touched up her
nails.
Lazy Luke then had a slight collision with an opponent, his rev
counter went into the red zone and he took revenge as his enormous
front bumper took out the Berwick player (no, not for dinner) and the
Marshal had to show him the red flag for trying to punch his
opponent's lights oot!
All-in-all a very good win in this Second round of Wacky Races and the
third round beckons with the whole of the nation now in the draw. Star
are now into the last 256 of this trophy and the bus is already booked
for Hampden. I've phoned the SFA and instructed them to order the
Yellow and Blue ribbons. . . .

Newcraighall 2 Star 3

Scottish Cup, 1st Round


Newcraighall Brass Band 2 Watt Star Symphony Orchestra 3


The musicians lined up like so:


At the very back of the hall, on percussion:
Hughey Hewitt


Brass section:
Aitchy (tuba), Doc (trombone) Robbo (Moothy - exceptionally)


Woodwind:
Jason (clarinet), Stevie (picollo), Mikey (Jew's harp), Craig (flute), Graham (pan pipes)


Strings:
Pistol (first violin), Paul (double bass/single fish)


In the wings:
Niall (triangle), Sean (baby grand piano), Garry (feathers), Colin (guitar)


Roadies: Fulton and Berwick Ltd (very)
"No job too small, no pants too big"


Although the pitch was fine, it was far from "perfect" and this concert started with a bang as the conductor, resplendent in a red tunic blew his tin whistle and immediately the Newcraighall band attacked the music score with gusto (Opus No. 7) and with the WSSO on the back foot, it was clear they had not had enough time to tune up.
NBB's new uniforms were given their first "airing" but had to contend not onlywith the brightness of the Brasilian colours from Riccarton, but also the samba beat of their opponents.
Allegro (quickly) was the tempo from the NBB, whereas the visiting musicians could only play at somewhere approaching lento (slowly) - and although they were playing the correct notes, they were not necessarily in the right order.
And 16 minutes into the performance, a solo note from NBB (opus No 3) found it's way into the music book and this fellow was delighted with his "score" as his sharpness contrasted with the flatness of the visitors. Fortunately the WSSO didn't "fret" - just re-tuned and started again.
The Woodwind section was being made to blow its instruments hard under constant changes of pace from the "stars from the sticks" and although they held firm, a change of emphasis was needed to avoid the concert being loaded with too much brass..
So, with the overture barely completed, the WSSO roadies made a couple of changes and moved a pan-piper into the brass section with the clarinet and flute changing music stands. Moothy switched sides, and it's fairly obvious that he's not only right footed, but right moothied as well.
A different tune was now being played as the double bass/single fish celebrated his new strings by blasting a perfectly pitched note into the Newcraighall cleff, following some intricate footering (opposite of fingering - keep it clean eh?) from the first violin who trilled his appreciation like a big girl.
The celebrations were reminiscent of the 1998 last night of the Proms as one roadie and one toadie were swamped by delicious - sorry delirious - participants.
The visitors (next stop Vienna) now dominated the concert, although their new percussionist, Hughey had to have quick hands to thwart a couple of hard hitting, well placed notes along the way and he showed just why his transfer from Red Albert Hall was rushed through. . .
Doc was in control of the high notes, as the Big Aitch caressed the lower ones, although he had to be alert to avoid their little crochets from breaking through in an attempt to spoil the underdogs' rhythm.
The two smallest musicians - moothy and pan pipes - also defended their quavers (cheesy) with virtuoso performances and produced a creation to match Rossini's William Tell Overture, which, while not of precisely the same quality now seems somehow, less well crafted.
Clarinet and flute were playing from the same sheet during this spell while the picollo and Jew's harp both resounded in total harmony to add to the depth of penetration.
First violin and double bass/single fish ignored the "score" as they tried to change it at every opporchancity then a great spot (not acne) by big Aitchy found the first violin right on the money and he played Ace Ventura impeccably, skillfully using his gelled locks to place the note over the opposition's drummer for the second movement. A superb piece of orchestration with the World Cup theme being blasted out by Aitchy's (on tuba) mighty right boot for a grand piano finish.
Strangely the piccollo and Jew's harp were pulling the strings at this point in proceedings, which means I have totally mixed up my metaphors and a puppeteer has no place here. Apologies.
Another fine passage of play found the Double Bass/single fish in space down the right corridor, but he elected to go "solo" instead of perhaps forming a duet with the first violin and the moment was gone. A fine solo note from the veteran Jew's harp had the opposing percusionist beating the note away as it looked destined to make itself a new home in the opposing tune's hoose.
The intermission came with the WSSO reluctant to rest as they had by now, satisfied the travelling groupies that this gig was going to be one of their best and had got right into the rhythm. The pre-concert-ordered beverages were not wholly appreciated by the musicians and a roadie had to down 5 extra ones, although this stood him in good stead as the night wore on - apparently (he has no recollection of anything after 7pm).
Opus No 2 was similar to the first with the WSSO building up to a crescendo and although the NBB rehearse twice a week, they were shown to be lacking a little in the wind department by opponents who seemed to have bellows for lungs.
Some legato (smooth) passages (great for constipation) now ensued from the visitors, and only tired lungs were going to spoil the tone and the picollo found his wind was out of tune with his legs as he made way for the baby grand, who was instructed to depart from his usual Morris Dance routine for a more energetic performance.
And the visiting maestros were not finished yet, as the double bass/single fish was invited to up his tempo as he broke away on his own, but as he reached the limit of his range (high P), the accuracy was gone, as were his legs - nearly.
First violin still had a couple of bars in his repertoire and he fairly speeded up before the opposing drummer stole his bow from under him right in centre stage and the conductor aimed his baton at the spot. It's a matter of conjecture as to whether or not the drummer should have had his sticks confiscated but the conductor saw fit to let him see out the rest of the concert from the stage rather than the gallery.
Double bass/single fish gained his just reward for a performance full of energy and belligerence as he dispatched the pen with a plum (five a day - that's the healthy way).
His celebration looked like one of relief as well as delight and he's now only 5 beats away from First Violin in the contest for young musician of the year - but he's running out of concerts (only 30ish left).
The WSSO now only had to consolidate their position in the performance, but decided to let the opposition back in the stage door when a lack of concentration led to a wrong note being played in the brass section and the NBB first violin played a last, plaintive note into the WSSO's ears.
Another lost cause was chased by the Double bass/single fish and he performed a minor miracle to set up a tune, which should have been completed in the corner of the concert hall, but it broke down, as did he when his strings finally snapped.
He was replaced by the triangle, but there was little or no more melody to come and the concert ended in harmony for the visitors, but dischord for the hosts.
A decent result and performance given that the NBB had reached the last 16 of the national trophy only last season.
Hopefully we will see and hear the performers do an encore this Saturday when North Berwick Ragtime Band try to progress in the same trophy at the expense of the Watt Star Symphony Orchestra.
D