I'm not entirely sure what this is meant to be "proving". Have you gone
from saying that metric-measured things work better to saying that imperial
measured work better? (re: metric cakes takes nicer, source: BWMA)
I haven't visited the BWMA site yet, but my money's on this being lifted
from there.
From: "Daniel" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]>
Subject: [USMA:34506] Metric muddle catches out the cricketers of Balmoral
Date: Sat, 17 Sep 2005 08:48:44 -0400
September 16, 2005
Metric muddle catches out the cricketers of Balmoral
By Shirley English
ALL summer the ageing bowlers at Crathie Cricket Club struggled to find
their length during home games and were eventually relegated.
The amateur team, who play at Balmoral Castle and whose patron is Prince
Philip, thought that they had suffered a mysterious and calamatous loss of
form after decades in the top divisions of the Aberdeenshire Cricket
Association league.
Much to the frustration of the batsmen, they only managed to win two home
games all season and when they played away, they invariably overpitched
when bowling.
However it has emerged that bad bowling was not solely to blame for their
fall from grace. Their disastrous season was instead the result of a metric
muddle by the Queen's groundsmen, which meant the team unknowingly played
all summer on a wicket almost 7ft (actually 2 m) too long.
It was not until they faced a relegation battle at home against Methlick
last month that the mix-up was discovered. An experienced Crathie bowler
who had been away all season returned to play for the crucial game and
after bowling a few bad balls, declared that the pitch was too long.
Renwick Elder, the Crathie captain, said: "He bowled a few, not very well,
then told me, 'This pitch is too long'. I had put it down to bad bowling
but our vice-captain got out a measuring tape during tea break and he was
right. It was very embarrassing as no one had noticed before."
Metropolitan Police officers, on duty at Balmoral to guard the Queen during
her summer visit, offered to act as independent adjudicators and confirmed
fears that the wicket was indeed 22 metres instead of 22 yards (20 m).
Bob McAra, 55, club secretary and a medium-pace bowler, said he could not
remember such a bad season in 31 years of play. "The staff at Balmoral
always make up the pitch for us and we just turn up and play," he said. "I
didn't realise what was wrong, I don't think anyone did until that day, not
even away teams. We'd had no complaints."
It is still to be ascertained how the error occurred. "We think groundstaff
did one of two things. They either measured 22 metres instead of 22 yards
(20 m), or perhaps measured 22 yards (20 m) from the batting crease," Mr
McAra said, adding sportingly: "But we are as much to blame as we never
realised the pitch was too long."
The Methlick players were told and the game continued with Crathie
snatching one of only two home wins of the season. Methlick were relegated
to grade three of the league.
But it was not enough to save Crathie who also went down to grade three for
the first time in their 57-year history after losing their final game to
grade two champions Inverurie two weeks ago.
Mr McAra said Prince Philip was amused when he was told the story after a
friendly game at Balmoral last weekend. He was sharing a cup of tea with
players in the rustic heather-thatched club hut, whose facilities stretch
to a cramped changing room and a lavatory, and asked politely if the team
were happy with the ground and the pitch.
Mr Renwick said: "I said, 'No! Haven't you heard about the 22-metre pitch?'
He thought it was hilarious."
