The scorebook is checked and rechecked as the game draws to a close
An intense final over of the first Dundalk Youths T20 saw the game finish out as a tie after a marvellous effort from both teams in an enthralling game that swung back and forth throughout, last Friday evening in Dromiskin.
Led ably by captains Rosie Cousins and Jessica Doherty, who commandeered teams ‘A’ and ‘B’ respectfully, the game went down to the wire, with the entirety of the huge crowd sweating over each and every ball as the game narrowed to a close.
Defined as a friendly warm up for the teams before the first inter-club games, it was anything but for the players with even the toss being watched and waited on with bated breath. Cousins won it and elected to field first, on a shortened and quick outline on the Green Road-based pitch. Opening the bowling for Team A was vice captain Ryan Kirk who limited Team B’s opening batting partnership of Doherty and Hazel Williams throughout the first few overs. Eventually the two girls got into their rhythm and started slotting runs together before making the compassionate decision to retire not out to allow their teammates a chance to knock willow on leather.
Breakthrough came for team A soon after as father and son pairing of Brian and Leo Mullen came onto the bowling attack and took wickets in quick succession, bowling out Paul and Keely O’Connor. Again, team B dug in with the sibling-partnership of Euan and Shona Finnegan, who batted excellently before also taking the sporting option to retire. Mark showed some of his developing batting class when he came in, only for Kirk to take a diving catch off Daniel Chong’s bowling to send him back to the pavilion.
For the last few overs in the game, Josh Challoner and vice-captain Michael Mullen totted up the runs for Team B, putting together some great running between the wickets to add a profitable score to the board at the close of innings. The final batting total Team B amassed was 61 for the loss of 3 wickets.
After the short drinks break, team A were sent in to bat. Opening batsmen Gerry Mc Keever and Leo Mullen went out all guns blazing from the start, the former striking some magnificent boundaries before being bowled by Williams in the third over. Leo Mullen suffered the same fate the next over, his wicket taken by Doherty. In a moment of pure class, next batsman Elle Mae Tremewan was run out by Louise Challoner with a direct hit from mid-wicket, handing Team B the advantage for the first time. This was helped on by Michael Mullen’s dismissal of opposing captain Cousins just a few overs later.
Just as Team B did before, Team A battled hard over the next few overs with Catherine Raftus and Fiona Lennon proving their all-round abilities by taking some quick singles and defending their wickets well. Something had to give, though, and it came in the form of another run out, this time from John Finnegan, who got out Lennon after the riskiest of quick singles. Raftus joined her partner on the side couple of moments later having fallen afoul to Williams’ reintroduction, nicking the ball to Finnegan behind the wicket.
Just when Team A looked set to cement a lead, things began to fall apart for them. Chong couldn’t translate his recent run of form into runs, succumbing to the experienced Fergie Boyle, caught brilliantly by Euan Finnegan at short fine leg. Order was restored as Kirk came to the crease, a calming influence on the erratic nature of the innings so far. He was just a bit too calm for the final delivery of opposite vice captain Mullen, however, leaving an outswinger to graze his off stump. Pressure was building on the batting team again and another wicket came as a result, this time Eddie Bosano-Andrews was unfortunate to nudge a ball behind, into the grateful gloves of wicketkeeper John Finnegan.
The scene was set for a grandstand finish, with Catherine Marcus and Brian Mullen batting superbly in a final wicket stand. Keeping to the run rate, the pair needed 4 runs off the last over to clinch victory at the death. Michael Mullen was given the ball to bowl and his varying fast bowling caused all sorts of problems for his namesake at the other end for three of the final six deliveries. On the fourth, to add a twist to the tale, it was deemed wide by the umpire and then left the batsmen he target of three runs from three balls to win.
Both Mullens remained stoic under huge pressure in the field and great excitement on the boundary, as batsman Brian calmly leaving two full length balls bowled outside his off stump by Michael. For the final ball of the innings, and the match, Brian skilfully cut across the ball, sending it beautifully between the gap in the fielders before sprinting the final two runs, leaving the game miraculously drawn after twenty overs each.
Despite calls for a “Super Over” the game remained a tie, a just result after a highly captivating game which will remain long in the memory of all involved on the night. The Youths Committee, who organised the game, wishes to thank all those involved at the match, especially umpires Brendan Watters and Ian Chong, scorer Deborah Challoner and all the parents and members who came out to spectate. They also wish to congratulate all the players who contributed to such an absorbing game and are currently drawing up plans for a rematch and possibly a series.
Dundalk Cricket Club’s 1st XI are officially the winners of the Leinster Division 10 League.
Talk of the Town 