Halverstown v. Law Library

Social Fixture, Saturday 28th April
Halverstown won by 8 wickets

LAW LIBRARY 168-5 (30 overs)
M. Kerr 77
R. Budd 28
---
J. Browne 3-15
D. Drumm 1-19


HALVERSTOWN 170-2 (29.5 overs)
M. Neville 69*
N. Greene 61
H. Beaumont 23*



Report by Des Drumm


Cold was not the word for it. A mind and mouth numbingly freezing north wind cut across Harristown like a whetted blade and the 6 layers of clothing I wore ,including 2 jumpers and a padded rain jacket, failed miserably to stop the shivering. Quite what Mathew and Monty thought about it I am not sure, though I did note their look of panic when I asked them to field for the opposition in the Library's innings.

Law Library turned up with 8 so Stuart, having seen that Roly Budd and a young lad in Merrion gear were playing for the Library, offered to play for them. We won the toss, but since they were awaiting a couple of players we gallantly changed our batting decision (to be out of the wind) to fielding. This turned out to be an inspired move as the rain swept in during the Law Lib's innings (though didn't help Jeremy and I , who fielded for the second half of their innings, and our umpires- including Bill Hobbs who did a passable imitation of a Russian in the heart of a Siberian winter).

The game: Law Library got a very respectable 168 for 5 in their 30 overs. Roly Budd was to be feared, but John Browne got him LBW  for 28 . The young Merrion lad, though, got 77 despite very tidy bowling all round. John Browne was the star. Bowling with the wind ,they were unable to cope with his swerving balls and he took 3-15. Being the social team, all 6 bowlers got 5 overs each and myself and Bill, with one apiece, took the other wickets they lost. Hubert took two good catches behind the stumps- a new wicket-keeping star is born!  

We started slowly after Jeremy Kemp, in his first game for 26 years, re-learned the cruelty of cricket and was out first ball. After 2 hours fielding (and a further hour in the rain to come) it did not seem quite fair. Nassau took the crease to pair with opener Mick Neville and once into his stride hit a 6 and several fours until bowled for 61. Enter Hubert who partnered Mick in a steady build up of runs. We needed a run per ball pretty well throughout. As we reached the 28th over it looked easy. 7 wickets in hand and 12 runs to get against one good bowler, one more modest. 9 runs off that over (mostly wides) and the job was easy, though Mick did warn that this was Halverstown. A maiden over left us a lot less comfortable:with 3 to tie, 4 to win off the last, Mick faced their more moderate bowler, who suddenly had found form.Mick failed to score off the first 3 balls-indeed he was lucky to still be in. Then a 2. Two balls to come, 1 run to tie two to win. Mick hammered a 4 and we told him that we never doubted him for a minute.....

In a team of heroes for merely surviving and not allowing the penguins to stop play, who to single out? Mick Neville with a calm and assured (mostly) 69 not out  deserves top-billing, with Hubert's 23 not out and 2 catches not far behind- but so is John Browne for a spectacular display of top quality bowling against their opening batsmen and Nassau for a sparkling 61. But, Polar Medals all round -to both teams indeed-for that display. If there is ever another  Shackleton expedition I know where they can  find some hardy souls...