OAKS: 103 for 5 off 20 overs
Batting: B.McAllister 21* S. Hayes 20* G.O’Shea 10* A.Williamson 8*
Bowling: B.McAllister 3-1-3-2 S.Hayes 2-0-3-1 D.Drumm 3-0-8-1 G.O’Shea 2-0-18-1
N.O’Reilly 2-0-22-1 P.O’Siochru 2-0-7-0 S.Conroy 1-0-5-0
CARLOW: 104 FOR 6 off 19.2 overs
Batting: L.Singh 22* J.Larne 20* D. Tucker 19 T.Gillespie 13
Bowling: J.Dooley 5-0-25-2 ; Platt 2-0-19-1; P.Corrigan 7-0-41-1 ; P.Goddard 7-0-41-1 ;
B. Broderick 3-0-13-0; D.Fitzgerald 5-0-26-0; T.Platt 5-0-27-0
Carlow CC is a very democratic institution. I had sent Terry Platt the rules of Taverners together with variations that we sometimes adopt, depending on agreement with the other team captain and time of start. The rules of combat are then agreed at the toss. However, Carlow is about power to the people and Terry discussed the various options with the whole team and the team decided. I am not sure this democracy thing will catch on, especially not in Halverstown. There is nothing like a bit of benign autocracy.
I knew we were in trouble when I heard someone from the Oaks say that this would be our best chance of a win this season, possibly since Carlow was our only win of last year. Actually we even lost the toss, but Carlow kindly put us in to bat. Their bowling attack was mixed: several beginners with actions that might need a little coaching before passing muster at Lords as well as some neat bowling from Development team players. Our main batting resistance came at 3 and 4 from Brian McAllister and Stuart Hayes, both making their 20 not out, though Gerard might well have got there too if I hadn’t have brought him off to give others a bat. Ladi and Gopi Singh both turned in good figures for Carlow, taking 3 wickets between them quite cheaply. We moved from a reasonably promising 58 at the 10 over stage to 103, which is a dicey total to defend.
Carlow started in a rush with openers Derek Tucker and Trevor Gillespie hitting more boundaries between them than the whole of the Oaks team. After 5 overs the 50 was up, and after 8 it was 72. However we started to slow them down after Ladi Singh and John Larne retired. Ladi’s 6 and three fours were impressive, but after that we made headway and our fielding improved significantly. Great catches from Niall and Patrick (making an impressive debut!) and two well timed stumpings from Cecil put us in the running again. Brian’s stunning figures of 3 overs, one maiden and two wickets for 3 runs and thrifty bowling too from Stuart Hayes, myself and Patrick put Carlow on the back foot. Interestingly Brian’s figures were similar to last year’s 3-1-3-1.
In the end it came down to the last over, surprisingly (at least it was a surprise to us!). However only 3 were needed, so I gave the over to Jon Kirby so that we could blame a former Carlow man for our defeat. Gopi Singh had little difficulty in knocking off the winning runs, but we were thrilled to have taken them to the last 4 balls in what was a sporting and thoroughly enjoyable long awaited return to cricket.