Archives beat Leinster by 2 wickets
On a lovely evening in the picturesque setting of the St Columba’s and after a good win the week before, The Archives (notwithstanding a somewhat unfamiliar line-up) felt confident against Leinster CC, who promptly elected to bat after winning the toss. Home rules dictated 15 overs of 1950s-style-8-ball-overs each, which allowed 3 players not having to bowl. A sigh of relief was heard from some.
The Archives felt confident with Sushant opening the bowling, but a flurry of boundaries by the Leinster CC Aussie captain Josh had the team worried. The Archives’ (also Aussie) Captain Tan then struggled with an accurate line, but Ramam came to the rescue, claiming 2 batters bowled in his first over, including Leinster CC captain Josh before he could retire on 20. He also had a caught and bowled off the first over, only to fall foul, alas, of the not-out-first-ball rule. Thankfully, he bowled the same batter the very next ball to complete a fine first over.
Some tossers
With Tim, Inder, Lloyd and Shailesh also chipping in with regular wickets, including a fine caught behind by Jamie behind the stumps, Leinster’s quick start rapidly slowed. As with previous encounters, following a brisk Leinster start, Archives confidence grew at the sight of Leinster’s somewhat less spry-looking tail, constantly threatening hesitant Leinster running between the wickets with sharp throws, that eventually ran out two.
It did feel a little unfair Jamie whipping off the bails against players struggling to make their ground and with Leinster were a man short, the Archives graciously allowed a batsman to bat again when 9 down. The captains agreed no batsman who scored over 10 could return, and Leinster selected a batsman who had scored a duck at the first attempt. This seemed fair until the return batsman Jay swatted a pull shot for 4, before Shailesh brilliantly clipped the top off his off stump.
The Archives selected those who did not bowl 2 overs to bat first, and Gordon – on an upward trajectory with the bat (of which more in coverage of the Handbags tournament) – and Ray started solidly, with both scoring boundaries. At other grounds where there isn’t an upward slope at the boundary, they probably would have scored more, and Ray raised his bat with a well scored 20, before Gordon lost his off stump to a lofty swing. At this stage, The Archives were still confident to overhaul the target, until Leinster CC called a stoppage in play.
'A Scorebook' or 'The Ineluctable Font of Controversy'
It was difficult hearing the controversy over the constant drone from the M50, but this was one match where a Match Referee was needed, if not the DRS system. The scoreboard showed Leinster CC seemed to have ended their innings all out for 110. But at the innings break this was changed to 101 after a scorebook review, not because the scoreboard operator suffered from dyslexia. The Leinster CC scorer – reportedly an accountant no less – confused the scorers with 2 different totals, and confirmed 101 was correct. Or was it 110? After an at times heated discussion, where the book revealed there were two possible totals, The Archives – again graciously – allowed Leinster to the higher 110 total, confident it could be reined in (to be fair, given recent possible Archives scorebook foul-ups against North Kildare and Ashford, it would not be right for those of us who have recently been in that glass house to start hefting any stones). And with captain Tan of The Archives selecting himself to bat last, he was always looking for an opportunity to extend the innings so he would have a chance to throw his bat around!
With Leinster failing to block square leg, Jamie scored a well-accumulated retirement, while Tim was well bowled by the ever-wily spin of Law Librarian, former international umpire and Archives transfer target, Block. As the midges appeared to annoy all players and umpires in the middle, Aidan enjoyed bludgeoning the ball but was caught in the infield. Ramam then swung some lusty blows, but was well bowled by the twice-batting Jay.
Shailesh and Inder entered for the latter overs, struggling to middle the accurate Leinster bowling, but vigorous running between the wickets tested the pensioners in the outfield, and the target was soon in reach. Shailesh probably should have hit the winning runs, but tested the wrong outfielder to be run out with less than 2 overs left. Lloyd had the honour of hitting the winning runs but, alas, after hitting a single off his first ball, was delivered a wide that ended the match. Umpire Tan was keen to play out the last over regardless – we should have let Leinster CC change the score to 115! – but 9:30pm on a Friday night was getting on for everyone’s bedtime.
Overall a comfortable win, with 2 batters not required and Lloyd unlucky not to have had more time in the middle. At the site of St Columba’s well-maintained clubhouse, expectations were high for some first class catering, but none appeared from the home team - not even Pimms, but thankfully Aidan brought a 6 pack to share! There was an invitation to return to their Rathmines clubhouse, but with the midges in full force and the time approaching 10pm, it was decided by all to sing the team song and enjoy a winning drink at our respective homes.
[Text - Will Tan; Photos - Sushant Musale]
