Harlequins Cricket Match Report

Munster Division 3

Clonmel beat Harlequins 2 by 3 runs

Played at Farmers Cross on 25th May 2003

In the first Junior League match that Harlequins have played for many a year, the home side just failed to take victory. A great game of cricket was had, played with an excellent sprit from both sides.

Quins came into this game with only four recognised bowlers. Division 2 matches require a minimum of 5 bowlers to bowl the necessary 45 overs. Jim Burfield and Donovan Gee both bowled well in the opening exchanges and Clonmel were 26 for 1 after the first 10 overs.

Billy Perrott and Rogan Gee then took over the bowling duties and maintained the pressure – Billy taking the second and third Clonmel wickets to bowl out his 9 overs for 21 runs and 2 wickets. Clonmel were 58-3 after 26 overs and struggling.

Then Paul Croke, a left-hander on the Clonmel side, took a real liking to Rogan’s shorter delivers as Rogan tired. Queue a dramatic increase in the run rate. Jono Frankham, captaining Quins 2 for the first time, then brought on two of the Quins youngsters with their spin bowling to try to slow the run rate. Unfortunately both Richard Benson and David Gash were on this day both somewhat wayward, and Mr Croke dispatched no fewer than six sixes in two overs. By over 34, Clonmel had gone onto 124-4, with Richard Benson picking up a wicket.

Jono then brought back Jim Burfield who maintained his tight bowling and took two wickets in this his second spell, the second with the help of a great slip catch from Brendan Heggerty. Jim finished up with 2 wickets for 11 runs off 9 overs. Rogan came back to complete his spell and eventually captured Paul Croke after a magnificent, and as it turned out match winning, innings of 82. Finally Donovan Gee finished the bowling with two quick wickets. The Clonmel innings finished on 159 for 9.

Rogan and Billy opened the Quins innings. As per the Clonmel innings, the initial bowling was tight and runs came slowly. Everybody on the Quins side scored runs but nobody really got going. Billy scored 16, Rogan 10, David Gash 12, Julian Breary 12, Donovan 5, Nevin top scored with 20, Richard Benson 5, and Jono 18.

So it was that with 24 runs required from the final 7 overs the match was very delicately balanced. Jim Burfield replaced Jono Frankham at the crease and then dispatched three boundaries and several singles to bring the Quins score to 156 for 8, before a wild cut shot saw a thick top edge drop to the Clonmel fielder in the gully. 4 runs required, 1 wicket left but 5 overs to spare. Brendan Heggerty was the Quins last man and he made a quick single from his first ball. 3 runs required. Paul Thomas facing in his first match for Quins…a wild swish…top edge…caught.

Quins lose by 3 runs, but pick up 7 bonus points (3 batting, 4 bowling) in the process.