Harlequins Cricket Match Report

Cork 20 Over Cup Final

Harlequins Whites beat Harlequins Blues by 25 runs

Played at Farmers Cross on Thursday 7th August 2003

Harlequins Whites clinched the 2003 Cork 20 Over Cup with a relatively easy victory over Harlequins Blues - the two Quins sides meeting in the final for the second time in three years. The Blues had previously accounted for West Cork and the Whites for UCC.

Donovan Gee won the toss for the Whites and elected to bat. The dismissal of the in-form Simon Beardsworth in the first over was a false dawn for the Blues, as it brought Richard Gash to the crease. Richard the proceeded to take the Blues bowlers apart as he took the Whites score to over 120 by the end of the 15th over, ably assisted by Eamonn Hearne. If it wasn’t for a fortuitous run out by Jim Burfield, Richard would probably have scored a century and won the game before the Blues had even picked up a bat. As it was, Richard scored 66 and the final Whites tally was ‘only’ 129. Phil Hattersley was the pick of the Blues bowlers, picking up a couple of wickets late on. Peter Payne, Jim Burfield, Dillon Martin were all taken apart by Mr Gash, whilst Billy Perrott claimed the opening wicket only.

129 was always going to a very hard score to chase in the fading light, and in the end it proved too much. A brave performance by Jack Russell gave early hope. Jack dispatched Eamonn Hearne’s bowling for several fours, before he was out on 28, after which the run rate fell...and with that the game was up.

Nevin batted well but steadily, and with swinging the bat at the other end being the order of the day, the rest of the Blues perished cheaply.

Donovan Gee bowled as well as anyone can remember for the Whites, picking up no fewer that three maidens in his five overs. The man of the match award was awarded to him for this feat. Seamus Gee also bowled well, although the pressure showed towards the end of his spell as he sprayed five wides in one over top held the Blues raise their final score to 104 all out in the last over of the game.

Donovan Gee accepts the congratulations of the Harlequins Club President, Philip Shine.