HALVERSTOWN 2: 117 for 9 off 20 overs

Batting: M.Islam 29 D.Ruddock 21 M.Ronaldson 17 P.Rosa 17 A.Pandey 14

 Bowling: A.Pandey 2.5-0-20-2 D.Ruddock 4-0-18-1 S.Uddin 4-0-21-1 D.Drumm 2-0-12-0 K.Hodson 3-0-21-0 P.Rosa 2-0-15-0 A.Syed 1-0-12-0

TERENURE 4: 121 for 4 off 18.5 overs 

Batting: J.Hanrahan 66* D.Johnson 14 J.Shirdaza 13* V.Kudtarker 12 Bowling: V.Kudtarker 4-0-29-2 A.Hamtubal 4-0-16-1 M.Wormley 4-0-19-1 J.Shirzada 4-0-21-1 M.Hanrahan 4-0-24-1

Halverstown2’s thrilling T20 Adamstown Cup run came to an end in Terenure on Sunday last, losing in the final to Terenure 4 who passed the 118 run target set with just 7 balls left. It was a 6 wicket defeat that ended the hopes of the Club winning its first cup for 20 years. Whilst it was close we could sense it coming because of our inability to dislodge opener James Hanrahan who carried his bat for an impressive 66 not out in a well paced innings. The only evidence of the pressure he was feeling was when he asked me if Danny Ruddock has completed his 4 overs. When I said yes, “thank goodness for that!” he replied.

I won the toss (yet again - 7 out of 8!) and elected to bat in the stifling heat. Openers Mark Ronaldson and Abhi Pandey put on a very creditable 32 for the first wicket before Manik Islam top scored with 29, partnering Paolo Rosa for a 3rd wicket 20 and Danny Ruddock for an excellent 5th wicket 45 before being caught trying to accelerate the run rate late on. Paolo’s 17 and Danny’s 21 had moved the score on nicely and at 102 after 17 overs we looked set to post a competitive 130 or so. However the vital last 3 overs saw wickets tumbling, and, worryingly, just 13 runs scored. Terenure had bowled tightly and fielded marvelously: we knew that the total was going to be tricky to defend - just 15 more runs could have made all the difference.

 Terenure’s run rate , in the event, was no better than ours and at the 17 over mark they were actually 2 runs behind us. However, they had plenty of wickets in hand and, vitally, opener Hanrahan was still at the crease. His innings was the match winner as they passed the target at the end of the 19th over. Danny, whose father Alan captained Halverstown the last time we won a cup, took a wicket whilst brother Matt fielded brilliantly and took a catch. 12th man Stuart Hayes, fielding for the injured Ahsan Syed, took an amazing catch of the day with Manik and I also taking catches. Two wickets for Abhi and one for Sahab Uddin were taken in a tough, hard working day in the field where - unlike us - they got away with quick, risky singles despite our good fielding.

Cricket Leinster’s President, Stella Downes, presented the team with our runner-up medals which, whilst disappointed, we accepted with good grace, unlike the England football team! Thanks to all 21 players who have played so well and valiantly for Halverstown 2 over the course what was our first ever competition. I feel remarkably privileged to have captained the team through this extraordinary year. We lost to a young Terenure team which bowled and fielded extremely well and for whom James Hanrahan turned in an amazing innings in a close and tense final, which is not easy. It was a sporting game in which I, and I hope the other 11 players, am proud to have played. Club President Hubert Beaumont, who was present, stressed the pride the club has felt in our achievement and encouraged us to look forward: we have an excellent team and there will be other days to come for Halverstown 2!  

Written by Des Drumm.