Harlequins Cricket Match Report

Harlequins 2 beat UCC 1 by 116 runs

Played at The Farm Sunday 15th June 2003

Going into this match the 2003 record of our Junior side didn’t make pretty reading. Played 3, Lost 3 [one Junior Cup match and two Division 2 matches]. However, this was the first match of the season that we were anywhere near full strength. Leif was back in his role as opening bat for the first time, and we had a full compliment of six bowlers to call on for the first time.

On a scorching sunny afternoon with the match being played on grass down at The Farm, Jono Frankham won the toss and elected to bat. Leif went off like a rocket and made 52 inside 10 overs, including two huge sixes and 8 fours. Rogan gave solid support from the other end. After Leif’s dismissal Eamonn Hearne, looking for batting practise from the 1st team, scored 6 before getting out so bringing Billy to the crease. Billy was out in the 30s and was rapidly followed by Liam Hale who didn’t even face a ball, having been run out by Rogan who was now well in his stride. Jono played some fine strokes and good running kept the scoreboard ticking. Rogan finally perished in the 40th over for 42 and Jono was out also.

David Nichol-Currie and Seamus Gee showed again that the U15s could also do a good job by hitting some very valuable runs in the last few overs. Julian Breary was out for 0 after skying his second ball and, having dropped nine catches already, the UCC fielders managed to hold on to that one. Jim and Donovan finished off the innings, scoring 1 and 0 not out respectively! The final Quins total – 196 for 9.

UCC were never really at the races and finished all out for 80. Rogan Gee and Billy Perrott were the pick of the Quins bowlers with 3 wickets each. Eamonn Hearne with 1, Jono with 1, and David Nichol-Currie with 1 and a great run out by Jim, made up the other wickets. Jim and Donovan also bowled but ended up wicketless. It should be noted that the Quins catching wasn’t the best – Julian apart – Leif dropped two catches in the slips, Liam put two down at wicky, and a couple more chances also went-a-begging.

Overall though, a much better batting performance; good to have more than four bowlers and not be struggling to fill those other nine overs; the fielding needs to improve. With Phil Hattersley and Eugene McDonnough of last year’s team still to play this season, plus the likes of Richard Benson waiting in the wings, things are looking more promising.