The Archives were confident after thrashing Wicklow earlier at Presentation College. But this fixture did not disappoint, going down to the last over. Without a designated captain, the two Aussies Taylor and Tan agreed to split the duties, with Tan captaining on field if Taylor would make the post-game speech, as long as Tan wrote the match report. So apologies if this match report does not live up to the Archives’ usual high standard.

 With Wicklow captain Frank expressing an interest in bowling first and Archives captain Tan expressing a wish to bat first, it was decided to forgo the toss and get the match started. Especially after the usual Archives tardy punctuality – arriving with the kit and all players barely before 6pm.

 Captain Tan opened the batting with debut-Dave, but after slashing a first ball four, was kicking himself for lobbing a long hop straight to mid-on, where Zimbabwean Matt took a simple catch. Probably karma after running out two batting partners last week – albeit playing for the Law Library - plus being dropped by an Archives’ South African teammate at mid-off (without mentioning names!).

 But debut-Dave kept his head and, after a strong boundary, he and Hill knocked the ball around for ones and twos that frustrated the opposition fielding. The scoring rate wasn’t quite IPL T20 pace, and debut-Dave’s eyes lit up at a slow loping ball from Wicklow's man-of-the-match David, only for his lusty missed swing to allow a sharp stumping for 17. A good score on debut, but I’m sure we’ll see plenty of retirements from non-debut-Dave in future.

Hill the rock was anchoring the innings with a solid retirement of 20 at a strike rate of 59, while Shailesh quickly retired with a well made 20. Tratalos hardly had time to enjoy himself before being run out, before Supreeth made a typically belligerent 21 off only half as many balls. With Hill's anchor firmly fixed to the seabed, there was talk he may carry his bat, but some well struck shots earned his retirement. It was left to Sajamon and Ramam to clobber the final few overs, which they did superbly. Had there been another over or two, both would have surely earned retirement.

 There was concern that 133 may be too competitive for Wicklow, until their opener Nicky took a liking to the Archives opening overs, plus Archive’s fielders helping by dropping a couple of sixes over the rope! He quickly retired to bring Zimbabwean Matt to anchor the innings, similar to Hill for the Archives. Wicklow scored at the required seven per over with he and man-of-the-match David, and the Archives captain was worried where wickets were going to come from. But after David retired with a wide smile on his face, the next two Wicklow batters ran themselves out – Shailesh managing to beat one of them in a footrace to the crease from his position at cover!

 It was now game on. A well taken catch by Ramam off Shailesh, and a fine spinner from Goldstein allowing Tratalos to flash the bails off - this time the batter actually left his crease - had the fans at the edge of their seats. Yes, there were actually dog walkers who stopped and watched such a nail-biter!

The required run rate had crept up to 16 for the final two overs, but the Archive death bowlers kept their nerve. Sajamon bowled a tight line that allowed only a single four, strangling Wicklow so 23 was required off the last. Death bowler Sushant was always going to be too wily to allow that, giving Archives a close 12 run victory.

 All players enjoyed such a close game, and Archives awarded David man-of-the-match for a well-crafted 20 plus a stumping wicket, while Sajamon received a well-deserved award for his good batting, tight bowling, but usual tireless efforts in the field. A wonderful evening enjoyed by all, and luckily no one mentioned the Pimm’s was nowhere to be seen.

 [Written by Will Tan]