The Minor Cup is a Slam Dunk for Wexford Wanderers

Not content with smashing a wonderful 112 off 116 balls, Wexford Wanderers’ Sean Dunk delivered the coup de grace with the ball too, taking three for five in two overs, as Wanderers ran out 74-run victors over Knockharley in the Minor Cup Final on Saturday.

Trojan work by the volunteers of Knockharley and an early morning inspection from umpire Derek Dockrell, meant it was all systems go for a prompt start at 12.30pm. When Wexford captain Attila Stahlut won the toss, he had no hesitation in opting to bat and posting a score in the Minor Cup final between league rivals.

Dunk dominated a big partnership with Ahmad Oriakhail (27) taking Wexford to 100/2 at Drinks.

He then pressed the accelerator down further and went to his century with his 12^th boundary, having also hit one maximum. Dunk’s stunning innings came to an end with an equalling amazing catch from Rupert Pollock at mid-wicket, even still, Wexford were 204/3 with five overs of their innings remaining.

Knockharley turned the momentum in their favour in those final overs, however. Five wickets in the last three overs with just four runs conceded, meant that all told, Wexford Wanderers posted 226/8 off their 40 over allocation. At half-time this still looked like an imposing total.

The Knockharley reply struggled to get up with the required rate of close to six from the off. Hussain Safi trapped Henry Beadle LBW early on bringing Rob Sheckleton to the crease joining his son, Philip.

Both would be gone by drinks though, as first Philip was run out for 23 and then with the last ball of the 20^th over, Rob clipped Sami Jan to that man Dunk at square leg who held on to leave Knockharley 69/3, needing 158 off 20 overs.

Post Drinks, it was Sean Faulkner who kept the pressure on Knockharley as he had McKeever caught at point by captain Stahlut before he bowled opposition skipper Rajesh Adi for 15, leaving Knockharley 109/5 off 28 overs.

Then Dunk (3-5) decided to step in once again. Taking two wickets in his first over (33^rd) before completing his once in a lifetime day, taking his third wicket in the 35^th.  

Sami Jan may have taken the final wicket, bowling George Angel, but there was no doubt who the star of the show was and who Wexford Wanderers relied on for victory in the Minor Cup Final.

That man was Sean Dunk.

Minor Cup Final

Wexford Wanderers v Knockharley, Saturday August 17^th, Knockharley CC, 40 overs

Wexford Wanderers 226/8 (S Dunk 112, S Jan 49)

Knockharley 152 a/o (H Akram 45*; S Dunk 3-5)

Wexford Wanderers won by 74 runs