Volcanic Disturbance Causes Disappointment to Defence of Mary McKenna Perpetual Trophy

Until a few days ago most people had not even heard of Eyjafjallajokull far less been able to spell it. Now they know it refers to the Icelandic volcano which has caused a fair degree of chaos over Northern Europe. However, as far as the Scottish Vets (two of whom are East Vets - Moira Thomson of Gullane and Noreen Fenton of Dunbar) are concerned, it has resulted in the postponement of the annual game - nay, contest - against the Irish Senior Select Team, for the Mary McKenna Perpetual Trophy. And this in the "tenth anniversary" of its conception - it's not really ten years but that's another (Irish) story.

The report of this volcano sending up debris into the upper atmosphere was possibly treated with abstracted interest by everyone who could not see their own involvement, but few probably thought it would ever cause such disruption. Scottish team members, emailing and phoning each other up to ask how many golf balls, waterproofs, teeshirts and underwear they were packing so as not to incur Ryanair's exhorbitant charges for excess baggage, may jokingly have said "see you Saturday - unless we can't go for the - MAG-ma" and now wish they hadn't tempted fate like that.

The captain, Pamela Williamson of Baberton, like the rest of the team, had no doubt been idly watching the volcanic news (before sitting up in her chair to watch the really riveting stuff about the impending General Election) when gradually it had dawned that this volcanic situation wasn't looking so good. And then suddenly the flights were not endangered but cancelled. She tried everything from ferries to alternative flights to Shank's pony but sadly they were all heavily booked. So the end result is no match this weekend but watch this space in October.