Halverstown: 118 all out in 30 overs
Batting: N.Case 28 S.Rix 22 D,Drumm 20
Bowling: N.Case 5-1-16-3 T,Case 2-0-11-1 M.Case 3-0-14-1 N.O’Reilly 2-0-15-1
P.Carroll 2-0-16-0 G.O’Shea 2-0-19-0 D.Drumm 3.2-0-27-0
Mount Juliet : 120 for 6 off 19.2 overs
Batting: Ross 33* Melvin 31* C.Bass 9*
Bowling: Khan 4-0-20-3 Bass 4-0-9-2 Steve 2-0-4-1 Mohammed 4-0-17-1 Ross 2-0-5-0
I could really start this match report by repeating the one from our last game in 2019:
“I wrote last year, in my report of the equivalent fixture, that “Mount Juliet seems to be place where old meets new” . Here we were again on a pleasant day, on the banks of the Nore with the graceful arches of Ballylinch bridge in the background and it just seemed like the perfect place to be yet again.” I added that “Mount Juliet did not administer the traditional hiding to us” and that” Halverstown Oaks can be proud of the show put up”. Little has changed in those two years, except perhaps that we were beaten a little more comfortably this time. What the day was really notable for was that it was a Show-Case for the cricketing talents on one particular cricketing family.
We batted first and whilst Richard Greene, batting elegantly as usual, scored a handy 12 we were 2 wickets down for 9 quite quickly. A fine innings by Neville Case helped us along before another mini collapse left us at 52 for 6 at the halfway mark. Up to the plate steps Steve Rix who produced his best batting display for a while in hitting 22 whilst I was run out for 20 accompanying him much of the time. 118 on the board for 30 overs: not too bad, but we knew it would not be enough.
The rule was retire at 30 and two of their batsmen , Ross and Melvin, got there. We bowled p well, but none more so than Neville Case who took a great hat-trick in bowling Dave Mathews, Hubert taking a catch behind the stumps and son Terrence taking an excellent catch at mid-on to make it a Case of a family affair. Terrence also took the important wicket of Tim Kavanagh (not much thanks there for his wife Anne’s usual fine tea) and Mark bowled Kahu in his excellent spell. Just how did we lose with the Cases on song like that? Not enough runs on the board against a strong team who overtook us in the 20th over. A glorious day, a beautiful spot, a memorable tea, a good game, a great display of Case talent- and the traditional defeat.
Written by Des Drumm.