Scorecard

Civil Service 5 v North Kildare Cricket Club Men's 4th XI on Sat 09 May 2015 at 13.00
North Kildare Cricket Club Won by 3 runs

Match report Stepping out of the shadows of The Maws into the sunlight after an eight year hiatus, North Kildare 4ths took their first step back into league cricket taking on Civil Service 5ths in the Phoenix Park, and what a way to begin with probably the best and closest game of the season.

Losing the toss and being put into bat, new opening partnership Rory Keenen who, after looking solid, fell early, and Hans Raj who put in a sparkeling display of big hitting for 70, joined for a solid partnership by Ajay Veer Malhan (33). Ronan Cruise falling quickly being run out by Fahawad for 2, who also later got skipper Dave Winter the same way for 1 - both spectacular direct hits from distance. After Ronan's demise Shahid Khan (59) joined Hans in the boundary finding, with our young colts coming in to good effect - Adam Kelly (6 not out), Aaron Byrne hitting a beautiful 4, and Lochlan Lipson a lovely straight drive for 3 not out. Giving North Kildare 4ths a really solid 204 for 8 from the 40 overs.

With Civil Service's openers Fahawad and Harris getting through the opening salvo of Matthew Bond and Kamal Gambhir, Ronan Cruise trapped Harris LBW for 10 to set us on our way, but Fahawad had other thoughts opening up with some ferocious hitting clearing the club house on at least three occasions, scaring a poor squirall on the roof half to death! With Ajay coming around the Wicket NK4ths were convinced they had the powerfull opener stumped to no avail, but Ajay picked up his first wicket of his partner for 15; a good catch by Adam Kelly square. Aaron Byrne (1-16) chipping in with his first of the season to a smart catch by Dave Winter on the drive, Civil Service with Fahawad still pilling on the runs were starting to close in on a win with wickets to spare.

With the opener closing on his century, the skipper knew it was time for something drastic, taking the ball and deciding to turn his arm over slowly as ever. First ball top spinner dipping under Fahawad's bat taking out middle stump sending him back to the dressing room on 97. Ajay taking another still left NK4ths with a lot of work to do. With five overs remaining, only 10 runs to get and still five wickets to play with Ajay was joined in the attack by Ronan Cruise from the Zoo end with the lions and tigers at his back zipping in off cutters and Ajay pilling the pressure on around the wicket, finishing with a splended 5 for 38 which included a fizzing outside edge taken diving two handed catch behind the stumps by Hans Raj, but joined with some great fielding by the rest, especially Lochie with two spectacular diving stops and a good spell of bowling earlier.

Bringing us to the 37th over, one wicket remaining and four runs to win for Civil Service, Ronan Cruise, with the accompaniment of the roar of the lions and tigers and the sun setting, firing in his of cutters, fielders ready to pounce first ball of the over thick edge for one. Deep breath from all. Back to the end of his run up tension on everyones' brow in he steams fizzes the ball in crashes into the stumps (Ronan Finishing with 3-24) and North Kildare 4ths are back with a stunning victory snatched from the jaws of defeat. A victory hard earned but earned by every member of the team, with all contributing and deserving our celebration at the end. Well done all.

Just an extra note to a wonderfull game; good to see both captains walk on touch and go decisions for umpires, how the game should be played.

Dave Winter

North Kildare Cricket Club Men's 4th XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
4nb 12w  
for 8 wickets
16
204
(40.0 overs)		    
Rory Keenan ct b Marks 0
Hans Raj ct b Dawson 70
Ajay Veer Malhan ct Fahawad 33
Ronan Cruise run out (Fahawad) 2
Shahid Khan b Marks 59
Dave Winter run out (Fahawad) 1
Kamal Gambhir b A Harris 9
Adam Kelly Not Out  6
Aaron Byrne ct b A Harris 4
Lochlan Lipson-Ngai Not Out  3
Matthew Bond  

Civil Service 5 Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
M Marks8.0220210.002.50
A Harris8.0048224.006.00
Santosh3.002400.008.00
Fahawad8.0123123.002.88
C McIllhenny8.004100.005.13
M Nugent2.002500.0012.50
A Dawson4.0023123.005.75

Civil Service 5 Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
20w 9b 1lb 
for 10 wickets
30
201 (37.2 overs)		     
Fahawad Barber b D Winter 97
Noel Harris lbw R Cruise 10
Koustan Modak ct b A Malhan 15
Santosh ct b A Byrne 8
Tom Ryan st b R Cruise 24
Matthew Nugent b A Malhan 10
Adam Dawson b A Malhan 1
Conor McIllhenny Not Out  3
Alan Harris b A Malhan 1
Tony Connell ct b A Malhan 2
Tom Browdes b R Cruise 0

North Kildare Cricket Club Men's 4th XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Matthew Bond6.002400.004.00
Kamal Gambhir6.003300.005.50
Ronan Cruise6.202438.003.79
Ajay Veer Malhan8.023857.604.75
Lochlan Lipson-Ngai4.003000.007.50
Shahid Khan2.002000.0010.00
Aaron Byrne3.0016116.005.33
Dave Winter2.00616.003.00