WHITE CITY: 157 FOR 8
Batting: T.Gibbs 50* T.Poulter 25 W,Dobson 19 T.Oborne 16 A.Beard 15
Bowling: C.Widows 6-17-3 W.Dobson 6-26-2 B.Berrigan 6-20-1 T.Gibbs 6-25-1
T.Byrne 2-4-0 B.Coales 3-11-0 P.Oborne 1-10-0
HALVERSTOWN: 118 for 7
Batting: G.Bayer 34 R.Delaney 18 S.Murphy 14 M.Case 9* N.Case 9
Bowling: N.Case 6-1-10-3 D.Grehan 1-1-1 B.McAllister 4-10-1 R.Delaney 3-17-1 S.Conroy 3-19-1 D.Drumm 4-22-1 M.Case 4-28-0 S.Murphy 3-24-0 G.Bayer 2-20-0
Last year I wrote that we staged this fixture despite Covid and rain and ”next year just had to be easier”. Less Covid perhaps (though Ger O’Shea was a late casualty), but more rain this year. Peter opted for 30 overs rather than the usual timed game. It was optimistic and we were definitely flirting with abandonment, but luckily the heavy stuff fell almost immediately after we left the pitch.
No Ruddocks this year but plenty of memories of Alan. Indeed Jackie generously sponsored a defibrillator for the club in his memory and before the game some of us were having practical training in CPR. Given that White City have been coming here for 37 years and some of their players were in the original party this seemed appropriate. It was a strong team, Peter warned, though I did say ours wasn’t bad either and was “Halverstown” rather than “The Oaks”- which should really be its nomenclature in future years.
Peter won the toss and batted. W.Dobson and Tony Gibbs put up an impressive opening partnership, the latter retiring at the agreed 50, to be followed by a good 25 from Poulter. We took some excellent catches, notably by our athletic Mullingar guests Sam Murphy and Robert Delaney. Neville Case bowled beautifully, clean bowling all 3 of his wickets. Although wickets were hard to come by for periods our bowling was fine, with the younger cohort (Mark Case and Sean Conroy) impressing and Brian having an economy rate only bettered by Neville-also taking the valuable wicket of Callum Widows.
Batting was our problem, but it was an excellent White City attack. Widows got his revenge for his early LBW with 3 for 17, but all of their bowlers were accurate and Gibbs’ 2 catches outstanding. Sam and Robert had a useful partnership and Gunter got a well constructed 34. A little flourish of the tail saw Mark bettering his Dad with his 9 not out. Karen Plewman did us proud with a fine old fashioned Halverstown tea featuring some of her famous tray bakes and it was good to see TP here. Peter said some nice words about the fixture and about Alan and was duly presented with the beautiful Alan Ruddock Trophy – for the third time in succession I am afraid.
Written by Des Drumm