Laois 3 v. Halverstown

Leinster Division 13, Saturday 16th July

Halverstown won by 12 runs

The list of absentees was long and distinguished. Barry was summiting Mount Toubkal in preparation to getting married later this year. John was sunning himself in the Algarve. Neville had strained his back but the rumour that the injury was the result of lifting pints in the Glen Lounge turned out to be false. Mick was being checked over at the Blackrock clinic where he discovered that it would have been cheaper to pay the match fee.

In the absence of the skipper and his deputy it fell on the broad shoulders of Tim to steer the ship. This he did admirably and with the help of Trevor Wardrop.

We won the toss and after consultation with the senior players Tim put us in to bat. Openers Trevor (67) and Tim (41) put on a partnership of 108, which set the tone for the whole match. It was an ‘old fashioned’ innings where the openers took responsibility for the team’s later success. An unfortunate mix up meant that Wasif was run out on 20 and Moon went for 18. It was left to the swashbuckling Darren to put on 45 runs and take us to our total of 226.

Trevor, late of Laois Parish, warned us that the batting would be good. It was! Their top 3 batsmen scored 179 runs between them and it went down to the wire. The wickets were shared evenly between Trevor, Idrees, Moon and Wasif. The ground fielding was good but the catching left something to be desired. Moon repeated his nonchalant catch at Ring Commons by feigning complete disinterest until the ball, which was hit into the stratosphere, was actually in his hands. Apart from Darren there isn’t a safer pair of hands in the business.

The last few wickets went cheaply and they were all out for 214. A great team effort. But once again captaincy was the key. Tim and Trevor expertly placed the field and bowlers were used strategically. It is nice to have a leg spinner in your amoury and Sean Conroy fulfills that role.

Finally and sadly we said good bye to Wasif who played his last match before travelling home to Pakistan. He has batted and bowled like a Titan, his fielding and catching is exemplary but above all he is a sportsman. He has our good wishes and he will be missed.