There was a real autumn nip in the air as we headed down to Oakhill in Wicklow for our clash with Ashford. The ground looked magnificent – the outfield manicured, the wicket firm after a dry summer – though the weather kept us guessing all day. As Crowded House once sang, it really was “four seasons in one day”!

This was no ordinary outing: Captain Hill’s first time at the helm. Breakfast was barely cleared before he was crafting a carefully considered batting and bowling order, determined that his debut as skipper would not be left to chance.

Ashford’s skipper Seymour won the toss and elected to bat first, it was agreed that the innings would be thirty overs using the usual Taverners rules, with the exception that the batter’s retirement would be at thirty runs and a maximum of four overs per bowler, with a minimum of two.

Buck and Kelly opened in blustery conditions and immediately looked dangerous, Sajamon and Werner were the opening bowlers for the first four overs and the batters took full advantage of the fast outfield setting the pace early with a number of fours scored early with singles and two’s added on bringing it to 24. Ramam and Stewart were up next for the next four overs and the pace picked up for the batters, By the eighth over, the pair had 51 on the board and the Archivers were beginning to wonder how on earth they’d be shifted. With Shailesh and Keatinge up for the next bowling partnership. Keatinge kept a very tidy scoresheet with only 5 scored in his first over, however cometh the hour, enter Shailesh. His first ball of his second over brought a sharp run-out of Buck for 24, sparking relief in the field. At the end of the twelfth over and Adi in to bat with another very credible over from Keatinge we had started to make inroads with 77 scored. With Kelly now retired on 32 runs, Francois took to the crease and the fielders were sent to the boundary in anticipation of some big hitting. Deepak and Bennett took the rotation for the next four overs. Deepak went first and Francois made 6 more to add to his 3 already made before being caught, was this the start of something for the Archivers? Dermot stepped up next for Ashford and Deepak allowed him his free hit before bowling him for 0 runs. Two wickets in an over and the match was swinging in the Archivers direction. The rest of the bowling rotation was very tidy again from Bennett and Deepak with only a smattering of singles allowed and plenty of dot balls to curtail the total after the sixteenth to 87 runs.

Captain Hill was up next to bowl and those who follow these pages carefully know that the consistency level can be problematic. It was then to the complete amazement to everyone on the field, including the author of this record, that the first ball bowled was a full toss (with the aid of a tail wind) straight to middle wicket and the umpire’s finger was up to dislodge Adi for 7 runs. Orlando and his son Rafa were at the wicket for Ashford at this stage with Kerr dispatching Rafa (10 runs) to a catch in his first over bowled, somewhere along the way Orlando, on his debut, was run out for 0 runs by wicketkeeper Tratalaos. After the twentieth over Ashford were now 123 for seven wickets lost.

The next ten overs saw a spirited lower order display from the Ashford batters with Arvind retiring on 32 to allow Brian to take to the crease with Sushant who had already made inroads, Werner, Ramam, Deepak and Shailesh all took two more overs each and kept the run rate down to 39 runs over eight overs. Brian who was swinging well attempted another of his reverse sweeps that had got him a 4 previously, but unfortunately the ball hit the bat then hit his head resulting in a nasty cut above the eye and a retirement through injury for 12 runs. A cautionary note for those who don’t wear the helmet perhaps. It was left late in the day for Ashford’s Captain Seymour with himself and Sushant to close out the remaining two overs. Keatinge restricted the 29^th over to 6 runs and Sajamon closed it out with the final wicket on the final ball with Seymour out for 1 and Sushant not out for 29 (cruelly denied his retirement). The final total was 186.

Captain Hill did not waver on his batting selection and after an extended tea (showers forcing us into biscuits rather than batting), the sun returned, and Tratalos and Deepak walked out to open. A fielder was required by Ashford to replace the injured Brian, and Captain Hill, eager to have a closer view of the action, stepped in. Francois and Buck bowled the first four overs, and we were off for some quick running and a smattering of fours for a total 27 runs. The indomitable Sushant (who we know well can bowl when playing for the Archives) took the next rotation along with Kelly and tightened up the run rate slightly but could not dislodge our opening pair who were charging down between the wickets for the singles and picking up a couple of fours for their efforts. 49 runs after 8 overs and our gallant pair were eyeing up their retirements. Ashford’s Captain Seymour took the next over and the batting pair were doing well with 3 singles and a 4 before a rush of blood and two off a retirement led Tratalos to be run out for an easy wicket, still a very credible effort to leave on 28 runs. Shailesh was next man in, and Adi took over the bowling with singles picked up for the rest of the rotation but no more boundaries. 71 runs after 12 overs and a retirement from Deepak on 30. Seymour must have decided that his earlier wicket was a portent for further success and with Werner at the seam started the thirteenth over to keep it tight to 4 singles. Orlando was next and we were off again with 8 runs.

The next two overs saw another 18 runs (extras helped) added but the boundaries were starting to evade us, however Werner was not to be held back and had barely a dot ball to his name as single after single was hit, halfway through his effort he must have decided to take a break from all that running and hit a six and a four back to back with five more singles to get his retirement at 30. After 16 overs we were 101. The next four overs to come and we started to light up the field. Shailesh not to be left behind achieved five boundaries of his own, all fours to have his retirement at 31 runs. Then came Ramam, who decided singles were overrated and suddenly sixes appeared from his arsenal three in total for his innings and walked off the field bat aloft as if to say: “That’ll do.” for 34 runs. Sajamon played his part credibly during this partnership and had contributed 8 singles to his name. With wickets still intact and the target well within reach, it was left to Keatinge to finish the job. After one sighter, he lashed a four to the boundary – victory secured at 190–1 with more than three overs to spare. A dominant batting display, and only one wicket down all innings.

Wrapping Up

A match played in great spirit ended with well-deserved Player of the Match awards for Kelly (Ashford) and Werner (Archivers). Special thanks to the unsung heroes – Kerr, Bennett, Reay and Hill – who umpired, scored and even sub-fielded when required.

For Captain Hill, it was the perfect start to his debut captaincy– his team winning handsomely and even snaring a wicket with his very first ball, you could not script it better!

[Written by Gordon Hill]