When Scotland blesses you with a sky like this, you know exactly what you’ve got to do.
That’s right—you gather the family, fire up the BBQ grills, empty out the supermarket freezers, and make your way to Calderglen Park for an afternoon that had everything you could ask for. There was laughter that echoed around the ground, the irresistible aroma of food sizzling on the grill, friendly games of cricket, children running around with boundless energy, and friends catching up over a well-earned burger.
It wasn’t just a BBQ. It was an afternoon that celebrated everything our club stands for—family, friendship, community, and, of course, cricket. Days like these are rare in Scotland, so when the sun decides to make an appearance, you embrace it wholeheartedly and create memories that will last long after the tan lines have faded.
The Food
The barbecue was nothing short of legendary. The menu featured succulent wings, mouth-watering burgers, crispy bacon, smoky corn on the cob, and the star attraction for many – authentic South African Boerewors. The only thing disappearing faster than the food was the queue at the grill, proving that our members are every bit as competitive when it comes to barbecue as they are on the cricket field!
The Ground
Of course, no club gathering would be complete without a bit of cricket! Once everyone had settled in, the bat and ball made their inevitable appearance, and before long there were friendly contests, plenty of banter, and the odd “questionable” umpiring decision. After all, we’re a cricket club—is it even a proper day out without a game of cricket? We certainly don’t think so!
Long before the first burger hit the grill or the first ball was bowled, our President was already hard at work. Leading his ever-reliable band of volunteers (or, as he prefers to call them, his trusted ground crew… others might say his minions!), he was up bright and early preparing the ground to ensure everything was in perfect condition for a fantastic day of cricket, food, and fellowship. Their hard work behind the scenes meant the rest of us could simply turn up, relax, and enjoy a wonderful day at the club.
The Umpires
Every great cricket match needs umpires… and ours came with plenty of personality!
With all the adults keen to get involved on the field, officiating duties were handed over to the real bosses of the day—the big boys. Armed with a finger that seemed permanently poised for action, they took to the role with remarkable enthusiasm.
Appeals didn’t need much convincing before that famous finger went up. LBW? Out. Caught behind? Out. Looking at the umpire for too long? Probably out too!
When asked what they enjoyed most about umpiring, the answer came without hesitation: giving their dads out! Safe to say, there was no room for parental favouritism on this occasion. Justice was swift, decisive… and occasionally a little suspicious!
After all, isn’t that exactly what cricket—and family BBQs—are all about?
What a debut!!
Talking of dads and cricket, our BBQ also witnessed a very special debut.
Meet Leslie. Until his son Mitchell discovered a love for cricket, Leslie’s knowledge of the game was… let’s just say, still a work in progress. (Alright, perhaps that’s a slight exaggeration!) Like many cricket parents, what started as standing on the boundary cheering on his son slowly turned into picking up a bat himself.
And what do you know? The BBQ marked his official debut in EK colours.
From the moment he walked out to the middle, he looked every bit the cricketer—confident stance, bat in hand, and ready to make an impression. There may not have been a baggy green waiting for him, but there was certainly plenty of encouragement from everyone around him.
Who knows? If he keeps this up, a few of our First XI players might just have to keep one eye over their shoulders!
So, without further ado, we proudly present our newest debutant, Leslie, patiently waiting to knock it out of the park. Welcome to cricket!!
The Game
What a game it turned out to be!
The teams were split into the First XI and the Second XI, but any resemblance to a serious cricket match disappeared after the first few overs. Before long, bowlers were turning out for both sides, batsmen were being forcibly retired—not because they’d scored too many runs, but because everyone else wanted a chance to have a bat—and fielders were discovering that chasing a cricket ball is considerably harder on a full stomach!
The scorching sun, the post-barbecue food coma, and the occasional cry of “Can someone else field that?” all added to the spectacle. Yet somehow, every over seemed to produce another moment of laughter, another spectacular catch (or spectacular drop), and another story that will no doubt grow taller with every retelling.
By the end of it, no one could quite remember the score, and, truth be told, nobody really cared. The winner wasn’t the First XI or the Second XI—it was everyone who turned up, picked up a bat or ball, and spent the afternoon enjoying cricket with friends and family.
Because sometimes, the best games aren’t the ones you win—they’re the ones you’ll still be talking about long after the stumps have been pulled.
A big thankyou
As the grills cooled down, the last cricket ball was bowled, and families began making their way home, one thing was abundantly clear—this was far more than just a BBQ. It was a celebration of everything that makes East Kilbride Cricket Club special. From debutants taking their first steps onto the field, to children proudly umpiring their dads, to friends old and new sharing food, laughter and stories, the day perfectly captured the spirit of our club.
A huge thank you to everyone who helped organise the event, prepared the ground, fired up the grills, brought along the food, and, most importantly, came along to be part of it. Here’s to many more sunny afternoons, plenty more cricket, and creating memories together. See you at the next one!
