The Alec Dunlop U11 All-Ireland Cup 2013 – Sunday 8th September
By Sam L. Streek
Claremont Road welcomed a large contingent of Instonians supporters as they travelled south to watch their U11 side take on hosts YMCA U11s for the prestigious Alec Dunlop All-Ireland Cup.
Mitchell Thompson the YM captain won the toss and decided to bat first in a match of 30 overs per side. Michael O’Reilly & Ben Brownlee opened the innings and took two singles off James Lambert opening the bowling for Instonians. However, the 3rd ball of the game produced the needless run out of Brownlee, which was the first of many, many such dismissals that would also determine the final outcome of such an exciting but by the end, frenzied match.
O’Reilly was joined by Mitchell Thompson and the pair took the score to 32/1 before O’Reilly edged the tall impressive left-armer James Hunter down the leg-side to the equally impressive Oliver Metcalfe, who took a fine diving catch. Tim Tector joined his captain and the YM 50 came up in 75 deliveries, at drinks YM were 82/2 off 15 overs and things looked promising for a score of 130+.
However, Cameron Johnston had other ideas and along with his own captain Sam McClarnon dismissed Tector (34), again caught behind by Metcalfe, Thompson (22) to a smart catch taken at slip by Hunter and Elliott Johns bowled for (2). Within 2 overs after the drinks break, YM had been pegged back to 89/5.
The ‘Hen’ Thompson waddled to the wicket to join another new batsman Ben Shaw for a bit of re-building. With the score on 98 Hunter returned to the attack to get rid of Thompson and the 100 then came up in 136 deliveries. All-rounder Charlie Johnston was bowled by McClarnon and Ben Shaw was disappointed to be run out, but little did he know… after a long vigil Alec Jackson followed and YM were 110/9. Scott Ruttle and Ryan Spencer did their best to get the score up to a respectable 119 as YM were bowled out in 26.4 overs, losing their last 8 wickets for 34 runs.
After the 3rd wicket partnership of 53 in 57 deliveries between Thompson & Tector, Instonians fought back very well. Hunter 6-1-12-2, Johnston 4-0-10-2, McClarnon 3-0-10-2 and Crothers (who should have bowled more) 2.4-0-5-2 were the pick of the bowlers. Metcalfe an excellent keeper at this level.
Instonians reply began with Matthew Humphreys and Metcalfe. The ‘Ginger Ninja’ Mikey O’Reilly took the new pill from The Aviva Road End. This was probably the most sedate part of the game as the visitors coasted to 39 in under 12 overs. That much needed YM break-through came when Tector bowled Humphreys, however Metcalfe & McClarnon, who did so much damage to YMs middle order took Instonians to 54/1 off 16 overs. 66 were now needed off 84 balls…
And on they batted 87/1 off 23 overs, but the run rate was now above 5, (not easy to keep to at this level). The 50 partnership for the 2nd wicket came off 76 deliveries and should have been match winning. Ruttle and Shaw had bowled tightly as the run-rate increased.
But then a ball was pushed into a gap at mid-wicket, Mitchell Thompson pounced and a direct hit saw the end of a fine innings from Metcalfe (40 off 75 balls). O’Reilly who had just returned to the attack then clean bowled McClarnon (23) the very next ball and Instonians were 95/3 off 25 overs. 23 runs needed off 30 balls and two new batsmen.
Charlie Johnston now returned from The Wes Earl End with fire in his belly and although two clear run outs were missed only 1 run came off his over. 22 needed off 24 balls. The Instonians 100 came up in 172 balls.
Then just to make sure his watching father didn’t miss the first one, Thompson made another direct hit to get rid of Crothers. 107/4 off 27 overs. Runs were then scampered, run out attempts went a begging and wides were bowled. 11 needed off 14 balls. Hunter was run out backing up far too much and Johnston the bowler took the return and whipped the bails off. The 3rd run out in the innings. 8 needed off 10.
O’Reilly bowled the penultimate over and Instonians batsmen under the instruction of ‘just run’ forgot to watch where the ball went first and 3 more run outs made it 6 in total. Score: 114/8.
The last over by Johnston, 5 needed, 2 wkts in hand. Joseph Lyons tried to hit out but was well caught by Brownlee and then with 2 balls left, would you believe it… Hugo Ellerby was run out by keeper Johns, 7 run outs in the innings and YM won by 5 runs.
After being 93/1 and in control Instonians had a bigger collapse than YM, losing 9 wkts for 21 runs. There were many heroes on both sides, Instonians keeper Oliver Metcalfe is one to watch for the future. Sam McClarnon the visitor’s captain also had a fine game. Tim Tector had a great all-round game with bat & ball. Johnston and O’Reilly bowled superbly at the death and that man Thompson produced the champagne moment of the game with his direct hits.
A great game, played by two impressive teams with the spoils going to YMCA.
Scorecard: http://www.cricketleinster.ie/results/view/-claremont-road-2013-09-08-130000