The Irish Times cricket team beat the Independent XI by two wickets with just nine balls to spare in a hard fought match on Thursday evening (2nd July).
Hostile fast bowling from the big Australian quickie Adam Harvey, Faisal Mansoor from Pakistan and guest star Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan softened up the opposition early on. Accurate spin bowling from Paddy Smyth, Martin Noonan and Paul Gillespie also made life difficult for the Independent’s batsmen, who struggled to assert themselves by scoring on a rain soaked outfield in College Park.
With the Pavillion bar shut for a private function the small band of loyal supporters that turned up to watch had to make do with music from the nearby Eagles concert for kicks rather than the traditional pint of plain. But with the sun breaking through the clouds at the toss up even the odd puddle couldn’t put a dampener on the proceedings.
Jason Michael kept wicket superbly for the Irish Times in treacherously boggy conditions and an exemplary fielding performance was rounded off by a magnificent catch on the boundary by Harry McGee- the game’s true champagne moment.
Set a total of 103 runs to win in 22 overs The Irish Times XI set a steady pace with cameo innings from Noonan, Harvey, Gillespie and Keena getting the team off to a great start. And despite some light hearted sledging from the opposing fielders, Ian Kilroy and captain Jamie Smyth wrapped up the victory with nine balls to spare to gain revenge for the narrow one run defeat to the Independent XI last year.
The teams decamped to Kennedy’s afterwards to swap stories and nurse the several injuries picked up during the match. Plans for next year’s match are already in train.
