SYDENHURST RAMBLERS v

Played at Phoenix Park, Dublin

Tuesday, August 12th. 12 a side 40 overs match

Fresh from the rigours of what has been euphemistically described as a group bonding session on day one in Dublin, Ramblers began the serious business of the tour at the attractive and historic Phoenix Park club. 40 overs and 12 a side was the agreed format, and the home team set off a a fair rate - putting on 124 inside 20 overs, and continued in that vein despite losing wickets at regular intervals. Two wickets came from Martin Underwood, three from the family Pheasant, and four from the hitherto unlikely source of Jon Whybrow - one of them a catch taken by a mildly aghast Wallace Graham.

270 was the target and required a fast start, but at 20 overs only 86 (for 3) was on the board. Attempts to accelerate briefly flourished but it was clear that a win was not going to be an option as wickets fell regularly - despite most of the home side turning their arms over in a helpful way. Somerset Pheasant got pleasantly and beefily large at the end to add a modicum of credibility to the team effort - but the 95 run margin tells the tale.

Matters improved dramatically after that; re-acquaintance with the black stuff was successfully achieved, fines were issued to general amusement, and the hospitality of the home club was greatly enjoyed by all until the time came to totter off to taxis (not a coordinated operation !)

PHOENIX

E.Dejoneh run out 42

Imran Masood b S.Pheasant 77

S.Neill ct (wkt) S.Swainson b S.Pheasant 22

B.Thorne st Swainson b J.Pheasant 11

B.Barrett ct Walton b Whybrow 17

S.Connolly b Underwood 0

D.Langford-Smith ct Walton b Underwood 40

G.Black st Swainson b Whybrow 10

D.Ford ct Graham b Whybrow 0

P.Beancroft not out 23

R.Forrest ct Walton b Whybrow 2

M.Connolly not out 3

Extras: (byes 12; leg byes 6; wides 3; no-balls 1) 22

TOTAL (40 overs) 269-10

Fall of wickets: 1-133,2-144, 3-159, 4-175, 5-179, 6-220, 7-223, 8-229, 9-245, 10-251

Bowling:

A.Walton 8-1-37-0

N.Watson 8-0-45-0

S.Pheasant 8-0-42-2

J.Pheasant 4.4-42-2

M.Underwood 6.2-0-47-2

J.Whybrow 5-0-31-4

RAMBLERS

S.Swainson b Neill 33

J.Hamilton b Masood 14

M.Milliken-Smith ct (wkt) Dejoneh b Neill 21

A.Walton ct Neill b Forrest 21

W.Graham ct Langford-Smith b Black 13

B.Davenport ct Neill b Beancroft 2

J.Whybrow ct Neill b Beancroft 2

H.T.Gauntlett ct and b Ford 11

S.Pheasant not out 39

M.Underwood not out 1

J.Pheasant and N.Watson did not bat

Extras: (byes 9; leg-byes 1; wides 7; no-balls 0) 17

TOTAL (40 overs) 174-8

Fall of wickets: 1-43, 2-68, 3-74, 4-104, 5-122, 6-123, 7-126, 8-162

Bowling:

D.Ford 7-1-41-1

B.Barrett 9-4-20-0

S.Neill 4-1-20-2

D.Langford-Smith 4-1-8-0

I.Masood 3-0-25-1

R.Forrest 3-0-13-1

D.Beancroft 4-2-4-2

G.Black 3-0-4-1

M.Connolly 3-0-22-0

Result: Phoenix won by 95 runs.