Phoenix Away
Match Review:
Dalkey won the toss and opted to bat on a warm and dry but overcast evening. The outfield was like a bowling green and the wicket was happily a real one, all of which set fair to showcase some good cricket. At Phoenix's request we played 15 eight ball overs.
Batting
Dalkey's batting was decent all down the line, although our opener William Wilshere was unlucky to be caught for 10 skying a ball off a thick top edge. The next three batsmen all retired with their twenties: the evergreen Robert Pocock not out for 22, our guest Hubert Beaumont not out for 21 and the big hitter Ian Walker not out for 20. Clinton Bennett was playing in his first game of cricket for 13 years and showed a fine eye for a ball before being caught for 14; his innings included the only Dalkey six, an elegantly timed lofted on drive. The last two Dalkey men in were Mark Ingram (not out 13) and Joe Fallon (not out 18). With 11 extras the Dalkey total was a decent 129 runs for 5 wickets. Roger Greene, Patrick Wilshere and Owen Jacob did not bat.
Bowling
After the turnaround Phoenix donned the pads and took to the crease with a target of 130 to win. However, this game was probably decided by the quality of the Dalkey bowlers. Dalkey's opening bowlers were good alright, perhaps almost too good. Patrick Wilshere was positively lethal with his 1-0-3-1 and Mark Ingram bowled with pace and variety to get 1-0-8-1. Dismissing Phoenix's opening batsmen so early in the innings seemed to put a bit of a hex on those who followed and in truth 130 looked like it might be a bit of a stretch. The rest of the Dalkey bowlers were frugal and William Wilshere's wicket keeping was top drawer, though I suspect his youth helps his cat-like reflexes. Roger Greene got figures of 2-0-15-1 (the wicket was a catch by yours truly which hopefully made up for the one I spilled earlier), Robert Pocock 2-0-8-0, Clinton Bennett 2-0-7-0, Joe Fallon 2-0-12-0, Owen Jacob 2-0-7-0, Ian Walker 2-0-15-0 and Hubert Beaumont 2-0-6-0. As bowling figures go off 8 ball overs these are not at all shabby, and as the Phoenix innings developed it became evident that the target was a bit too tough. In the end Phoenix got 96 runs, giving Dalkey a winning margin of 33. Not the closest game admittedly, but one that was played nonetheless in a good and friendly spirit.
Apres match
It is always a real pleasure to play in Phoenix, a lovely ground and a charming clubhouse; it is the very essence of a traditional cricket venue. Afterwards Phoenix showed us royal hospitality with copious amounts of food and welcome cold pints of beer. Our thanks to our good friends in Phoenix and to Malcolm Cadoo for such an enjoyable evening.
Dalkey's man of the match was a deserving Joe Fallon for a brief swashbuckling foray with the bat which included some sweetly struck boundaries (1.2.4.1.4.1.4.1.1). Phoenix's man of the match was Billy for his consistently accurate bowling and mastery of medium paced line and length. We hope they enjoy their respective bottles of wine.
Owen Jacob (Captain)