Harlequins Cricket Match Report

Wednesday 14 August 2002

Munster Division 3 

Galway Eclectics  
Harlequins 2  

What Time Is It ?

By Joe O’ Mahony

Harlequins 2 celebrated victory the Munster 3rd Division today in Galway. Having been reinstated with 5 points, that had previously been unfairly deducted by the MCU, the team arrived at Lydcian knowing that a win and maximum bonus points would be sufficient to overcome the challenge of the Lismore 1st team on the Division 3 title.

As usual Harlequins arrived at the ground 15 minutes early and began their normal preparations before a match. There were nerves and tension among the players as they knew that it was vital for Harlequins 2nds to win this league and get promoted to Division 2.

It was noticed that there were only two players from the opposition, Connacht Eclectics, as the official time to play the match came and went. At 1:00pm the Harlequins captain consulted each of his players, and it was democratically decided that since the game had not started on time and that only five players from the opposition had turned up, Quins would take the points and offer to play a shotened ‘friendly’ match instead.

This circumstance is covered under the Munster Cricket Union Rules 2002:

Rule 4 (ii). If play has not commenced within 15 minutes of the appointed starting time, without an acceptable reason, the umpires shall terminate proceedings and the report the matter to the Rules Committee. The offending side(s) shall be dealt with in accordance with rule 18.

Rule 18. FAILURE TO FULFIL A FIXTURE
Should a team fail to fulfil a fixture, for reasons other than those approved by the Rules Committee, the following shall apply:
· The offending team shall forfeit the match;
· It shall be deducted League points on an incremental basis - losing 5 points on first offence, 10 on second, 15 on third, etc. These deductions shall be cumulative;
· It may be subject to a fine of Euro65, to be imposed by the Rules Committee;
· It may be levied the costs of the non-offending side, to be imposed by the Rules Committee.
· The non-offending side shall be awarded the ‘win’ points plus maximum bonus points (i.e. 24 points in total or 16 points in Senior Shield).
· The offending side shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the competition, and must apply to the Rules Committee to be allowed continue in the competition.

This therefore is how Harlequins 2 won the Munster Division 3 league title for 2002 It was a strange way to finish the season but I feel that many teams take the travelling team for granted.

To be fair, the Eclectics’ captain agreed with these rules and apologised for their late arrival .We therefore decided to play a 30 over friendly instead, which Harlequins duly lost! Mind you, Jack Russell put in another age defying performance with the bat; while our younger players fielded and bowled with enthusiasm and vigour.

Despite the loss in the friendly match, everyone enjoyed themselves and retired to Dirty Nelly’s in Bunratty to start the celebrations. Many thanks to all of the parents who drove to Galway, and to Life Nichol who cooked up a massive barbecue for the team.

Finally…to the players…well done on a great season and I know that everyone in the club is proud of you.