Well this has been a strange week. Just as we enter the fifth month of the year, May, the weather is trying to take us back to January with hail, sleet and snow across the province. It all started back last Sunday with a season opener in Division 11 versus Rush.
Sean McCann proved an inspiration not only to his own youthful team, but to all of the ‘more experienced’ players of both teams. His five wicket haul was definitely Man-of-the-Match calibre and was added to his wisdom and guidance for the younger members of the Rush team. It was a closely fought game with the winter’s rustiness being shook off either by the wind or by being back on the paddock. Rush had batted first and reached a total of 152, which in Kenure is usually the score at drinks, reflecting the early season and the lack of pre-season nets for many of the Pembroke players.
152 proved to be enough for Rush as Pembroke constantly lost wickets to poor shot selection, finding fielders or just poor judgement. It was a fine competitive game to get the season underway. Matters were no doubt aided by the appearance of neutral umpires and their assessment man, Alan Tuffrey. I do hope we see a lot more official umpires during the season, although it is unlikely in Divisions 11 & 14 where I will mostly be plying my trade.
Tuesday saw the installation of two new nets in Sydney Parade and very nice they look too. Stephen Little and the Pembroke Committee have done a fine job, providing the impetus needed to invest in the Club’s future. However it did mean another week without training and no chance to shake off the aches and pains that a first game bring.
Thursday was a strange day. Firstly the captain of the Fourth XI must have been either drinking, desperate or even both as he contacted me to ask if I would play on Sunday. This fitted in with my constant desire to play cricket whilst my body still allows. This would have meant games on Saturday and Sunday with Monday’s scheduled game for the Sixes already having been called off for the ground in Sydney Parade to continue it’s rehabilitation after the rugby season, although why Pembroke is the only ground in Leinster that needs this extra time and despite there being a mat or two, is quite beyond me.
However, the best laid plans of mice, men and cricket schedules rarely run smoothly. Firstly the Fourths Captain sobered up, or at least found another bowler. One with less time on the clock, better accuracy, more potential and talent than a broken down half centurion (plus) and rang me to release me from his side. Then to add to it all, the Sixes game on Saturday was pulled from Cold Blow Lane due to both clubs struggling to fill their sides, which is a dreadful shame. Although Cricket Ireland and even Cricket Leinster would trumpet the growth in playing numbers, sometimes it is hard to see on the ground.
So I have gone from two games for the Sixes, to one for the Sixes and one for the Fourths, to the situation now of no cricket on a May bank holiday for the first year in many. Last year the Sixes played a triple header on this weekend and it darn nearly killed me.
The last twist was getting a call from the Second XI Captain which nearly made me spill my morning tea, until he explained that he was not looking for a player, but for a scorer for a game in Laois on Sunday. Unfortunately by this time my weekend had taken on the look of the weekend of a non-cricketing human, with a trip to Killarney planned. So I will be leaving you all to the wind, rain, hail, sun, clouds, and whatever the Irish weather sends your way. I hope you do get out and do get to play full, non-DL, games of cricket.
The Fantasy league will be re-appearing shortly, once some captains have sent in their result cards and the statistics wing their way to my desk. Personally, as I am not even the highest scorer in my house, let alone my team, it can wait a while, but I hope you all score well, play well and enjoy it all. Remember it’s a game and umpires do make mistakes and not always on purpose.
Sean McCann proved an inspiration not only to his own youthful team, but to all of the ‘more experienced’ players of both teams. His five wicket haul was definitely Man-of-the-Match calibre and was added to his wisdom and guidance for the younger members of the Rush team. It was a closely fought game with the winter’s rustiness being shook off either by the wind or by being back on the paddock. Rush had batted first and reached a total of 152, which in Kenure is usually the score at drinks, reflecting the early season and the lack of pre-season nets for many of the Pembroke players.
152 proved to be enough for Rush as Pembroke constantly lost wickets to poor shot selection, finding fielders or just poor judgement. It was a fine competitive game to get the season underway. Matters were no doubt aided by the appearance of neutral umpires and their assessment man, Alan Tuffrey. I do hope we see a lot more official umpires during the season, although it is unlikely in Divisions 11 & 14 where I will mostly be plying my trade.
Tuesday saw the installation of two new nets in Sydney Parade and very nice they look too. Stephen Little and the Pembroke Committee have done a fine job, providing the impetus needed to invest in the Club’s future. However it did mean another week without training and no chance to shake off the aches and pains that a first game bring.
Thursday was a strange day. Firstly the captain of the Fourth XI must have been either drinking, desperate or even both as he contacted me to ask if I would play on Sunday. This fitted in with my constant desire to play cricket whilst my body still allows. This would have meant games on Saturday and Sunday with Monday’s scheduled game for the Sixes already having been called off for the ground in Sydney Parade to continue it’s rehabilitation after the rugby season, although why Pembroke is the only ground in Leinster that needs this extra time and despite there being a mat or two, is quite beyond me.
However, the best laid plans of mice, men and cricket schedules rarely run smoothly. Firstly the Fourths Captain sobered up, or at least found another bowler. One with less time on the clock, better accuracy, more potential and talent than a broken down half centurion (plus) and rang me to release me from his side. Then to add to it all, the Sixes game on Saturday was pulled from Cold Blow Lane due to both clubs struggling to fill their sides, which is a dreadful shame. Although Cricket Ireland and even Cricket Leinster would trumpet the growth in playing numbers, sometimes it is hard to see on the ground.
So I have gone from two games for the Sixes, to one for the Sixes and one for the Fourths, to the situation now of no cricket on a May bank holiday for the first year in many. Last year the Sixes played a triple header on this weekend and it darn nearly killed me.
The last twist was getting a call from the Second XI Captain which nearly made me spill my morning tea, until he explained that he was not looking for a player, but for a scorer for a game in Laois on Sunday. Unfortunately by this time my weekend had taken on the look of the weekend of a non-cricketing human, with a trip to Killarney planned. So I will be leaving you all to the wind, rain, hail, sun, clouds, and whatever the Irish weather sends your way. I hope you do get out and do get to play full, non-DL, games of cricket.
The Fantasy league will be re-appearing shortly, once some captains have sent in their result cards and the statistics wing their way to my desk. Personally, as I am not even the highest scorer in my house, let alone my team, it can wait a while, but I hope you all score well, play well and enjoy it all. Remember it’s a game and umpires do make mistakes and not always on purpose.