Harlequins Cricket Match Report

Munster Junior Cup Final

Harlequins 2 beat Cork County 2 by 2 wickets

Played at the Mardyke, Saturday 24th July 2004

On a hot and sunny day in the Mardyke, Harlequins sneaked over the winning line - a line that they should have reached much earlier, and with much less difficulty. The fact that defeat was almost snatched from the jaws of victory is just so typically Quins…

Liam Hale, the Quins captain, won the toss and elected to field. This proved a good decision as on a dusty, hard pitch, and the Quins bowlers made quick inroads into the Cork County batting. Billy Perrott and Seamus Gee, the Quins opening bowlers, picked up an early wicket a-piece. However the first wicket of the day was a fabulous run out by Paul Guiney, who needed a direct hit on the stumps to dismiss Sonny - and got it from a distance of some 20 yards.

The 4th and 5th batsmen for County, Atkinson and Gomez, staged a partial revival, putting together a partnership of just over 50 runs. O'Colleran then dismissed Atkinson for 17 thanks to an excellent catch behind the stumps by Liam Hale, diving low to his left.

Shortly after, Jim Burfield took three County wickets in four balls, to turn the match back in favour of Quins. The first of these was thanks to a screamer of a catch from Richard Gash fielding at point, to dismiss the dangerous Gomez, who the previous over had dispatched O'Colleran's bowling for three sixes.

The next County dismissal was their last real hope, Mike Reid. After making a very useful 33, another piece of exceptional fielding by Paul Guiney, saw Reid run out. This time Paul was lying on the ground with his back to the stumps and yet he still managed to throw the ball and get a direct hit.

The County batting resistance then ceased, with Guiney and Richard Benson both picking up a wicket a piece to end the innings after only 34 overs for a total of 149 runs.

The Quins reply went well to start with Richard Gash leading the way. However wickets kept falling, and despite never really looking like losing, tensions were always high. Paul Guiney was the first to go for 16. James Heath, run out for 4 followed him. O'Colleran and Richard Gash then batted well together to take the Quins total past 100. Richard Gash was then out for 47, and was followed by Ben Hale who managed only 14. Billy Perrott scored 5 before being trapped LBW, and Richard Benson was out the same way for 4.

Liam Hale almost saw Quins home, but was caught for 12, with 3 runs still required. These three runs were all scored by Des O'Leary, leaving Seamus Gee not out - Jim Burfield (thankfully) wasn't required to bat! This was in the 44th over out of 45…it was that close.