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Railway Union CC vs. Munster CC Well it was to be another great day’s cricket at “Warm Blow Lane”. I will not even tell you how the toss went as I’m sure you have already worked that one out. Munster batted first to ensure they got home before the second game of the European Championships had started. The boys from Cork started well and were 0-42 when TJ changed his bowlers from KO’B and TC to M Tariq and T Fourie and the wickets started to tumble. In actual fact all 10 wickets were captured by these two guys. Thinus concluded the day with the incredible figures of 8.1 overs - 11 runs - 6 wickets (including a hatrick). Mo Tariq took 4 for 10. Both these guys bowled on the spot and their figures back that up. KO’B and TC beat the bat on countless occasions but luck was not with them and thankfully they weren’t required - the total to win was 80 runs.
The boys turned straight around and Kenny and Tom got to work quickly. I noticed Thinus was padded up to go in first drop (obviously paying the skipper off in some way!!!); he had two cotton buds stuck up his nostrils which were taped around the back of his head – probably to prevent any blood pouring over the wicket like last week. Anyway KC and T Fisher had no problem peeling off the runs finishing 38 and 37 not out respectively.
Imagine my astonishment when the hole in the door was blocked this weekend, obviously some of the lads have taken offence to my postings, or, it might have been the individual who has complained about the term “wanker” (worthless or stupid person) being used on the front page of the website. I’d reckon if he or any other person wants to complain they should see the rugby posters in the club house at RUCC - I certainly find them offensive.
Anyway, since this has happened I have paid one team member off and he is leaking me information. The “Marigold Pink Glove Liam Nolan Award” nominations were as follows.
1) Three had “Fresh Air Games” TJ, Carlo (who has been nominated every week) and Gareth “Bubbles” Carroll (who was going for back-to-back nominations)
2) Tom Fisher because he was being hunted by a couple of the boys. A couple of things were mentioned, he said “If NZ lose to Ireland (in the rugby) I’m leaving the country” and then was as proud as punch to wear it all day after they won. Apparently, Tom only showers 3 times a week (at the club on Tuesday, Thursday and after matches) as he has no hot water so this really got the boys attention when it came to decision time.
3) Thinus Fourie who was going for back-to-back awards. He decided the cricket was so boring that he would play, as one member described it “tunnel ball with himself” on more than one occasion.
Finally after Gareth got 2 early votes the remaining members voted in Tom Fisher and the glove was his.
Congrats to Thinus on getting “The Wick Award” for his 6-10.
The boys have a 20/20 game against CYM in Terenure on Thursday, get down there and support the lads – I predict a riot!!
Yours in Cricket, THE FLY
Railway Union CC vs. Phoenix CC What a splendid day for cricket and “cold blow lane” was no more. The day got off to a predictable start with Phoenix winning the toss and electing to bat. I don’t know if this was a smart choice as the deck looked green and having first use in my opinion was critical. Without the services of David Langford-Smith Phoenix CC looked like a depleted side.
Things started well for RUCC with Kev picking up the Phoenix captain and pro very cheaply to have PCC reeling at 9 for 2. TC and TF (Thinus Fourie) then picked up a wicket each. I must say watching Thinus bowl, I have no idea why he hasn't played more games for Ireland this season. Phoenix were unable to hit him off the playing pitch let alone the square.He finished with terrific figures of 11 overs, 6 maidens, 8 runs, 1 wicket. Tom Fisher then came on to bowl his nude breaks and somehow got 2 wickets! The way he runs in reminds me of going to the ballet with my wife - awkward.... Resistance came in the shape of Rob Mitchell who amassed 46 runs (in 42 overs) and Corey Dickson who belted his way to 59 before being bowled by TC.
In reply Railway got off to a flyer. Tom Fisher raced to 14 (including 3 x 4's) but was dismissed, (caught behind when in actual fact the ball hit the stumps) with the score on 91. This score just shows how dominate Kenny's innings was. TJ and Kev came and went both looking to end things quickly (Kev was going to the Irish Hockey Awards that night with a mystery date and TJ wanted to be home in time to tuck the kids in!) Kenny again failed to convert his match winning innings into a hundred - the only lowlight of a smashing day. TC steadied the ship and finished not out on 26. Thinus Fourie ended not out on 2 but some spectators reported that he appeared to be suffering from a nose bleed (possibly due to batting so high up the order).
I like going to home games because the glass on the vision panel to the home changing room is broken at the bottom so I can sneak in. I witnessed what only can be described as the mutilation of the pink marigold glove, TJ tried to turn the glove inside out and it ripped and ripped. Luckily he had the right hand glove so we were in business. The nominations for this weeks coveted “Marigold Pink Glove Wanker of the Day” title were.
1) Saad - Because he's the only guy we know that works 8 days-a-week 2) Thinus - For his outstandingly poor fielding display and also trying to catch a ball with his shin at training 3) Gareth - For having a fresh air game 4) I'm sure there were more but i can't remember.....
Anyway there was only 1 winner - Thinus it was! He apparently partied hard at the George on Saturday night with Jimmy Rogan. This was the only place in Dublin that would allow the guys in, especially with someone wearing a pink marigold glove and holding a scrubbing brush.
Yours in Cricket, THE FLY
P.S. Apparently we have secured NCCC away in the cup semi-final - now there's a surprise!!!!
Railway Union CC vs. CYM Sunday got off to a better start for all concerned with TJ winning the toss (50% this season) and batting first on a wicket that looked ok. It was bitterly cold and the crowd was huge! RUCC got off to a flyer and Kenny and Tom were going at 5 an over until Kenny was out LBW. Tom “Big Gun” or should I say ”I love being run-out” ” Fisher was looking great, playing some world class on-drives before he was run-out in what can be described as a freak accident……
RUCC was on the brink of sure disaster at 87/5 but TJ and Gareth “The Don” Carroll pulled the score to 160 odd. It must be mentioned that the Don hit the biggest six of the day onto the empty less (thank god) bowling green. TJ then decided to make things even worse by running Gareth out - never run on a misfield coach (marigold moment I reckon)…….
TJ then took over, his 168* came of 120 balls, with 11 fours and 8 sixes. RUCC (Trent ) scored 112 off the last ten overs to reach 289/7. During the game rained threatened to stop play until it was discovered that the source of the spray was the sprinkler from the hockey pitch, maybe this was the home sides attempt to liven up the wicket….After Gareth was run-out TJ was well supported by Saad and Andy.
The defence of the total got of well as TC got another wicket in his first over and then the old veteran Ger O’Brien got the next 2 wickets. Then a partnership formed between their pro Coetzee and Raftery-Skehan. Our bowling was again looking fragile. The Skipper then threw the ball to Mully and took the other end himself and they bowled the next 20 overs. Even though they went for over 100 they got 5 wickets and TJ looked in less pain bowling today. I’m looking forward to Thinus and Kevvy returning…… Some lower order slogging helped CYM get 4 bonus points, so that was a victory for them.
Probably the most intense “Marigold Pink Glove Wanker of the Day” debate was held in the changing rooms after the game. With Tom, TJ x 2 and a few others up for nomination, I have to say that I was not surprised TJ took the award. His list of ‘crimes included the run-out of “The Don”, getting caught off a no-ball and finally being caught off the free hit. All I have to say is team watch out because the skipper was not happy. In another twist a scrubbing brush was added to the marigold, let’s hope Saad never gets it as Ragan might not be too happy with him serving the rich and famous with his marigold and brush.
Congrats to TJ on getting the second pewter for the 1st XI. If RUCC want to win section B they will need to improve A LOT!
Yours in Cricket, THE FLY
Railway Union CC vs. North County CC It was down as a Semi Final but lets be honest with each other, the team that won this game was going to be clearing space in the trophy cupboard for the first piece of silverware for the season. It’s critically important to bat first on what can only be described as the best batting deck on the Island of Ireland, albeit on a postage stamp!
TJ lost the toss (it’s about time he calls tails) and NCCC had no hesitation in batting. Carlo bowled the first over and what could only be described as buffet bowling let NCCC off to a flyer, 3 fours with his first 3 deliveries. Conor Armstrong (who has been in a good paddock looking at the size of him) put those balls away with ease. This pattern continued throughout the innings with no real pressure being applied at all and NCCC were on course for a huge score. A couple of wickets fell in quick succession and that brought the rehabilitating Andre Botha and former overseas professional Richie Lawrence to the crease. They put on a great partnership of 160 odd and the game had run away from RUCC in my opinion. The fielding looked shabby, talk was not evident and general enthusiasm was not there. Coach Johnston will need to smarten his troops up if they are to take anything out of this season (just my opinion). Having said that Simon Grehan for me was the pick of the bowlers with 1-35 of 7 and let’s hope he’s available for a few more games. TJ had to bowl the last 5 overs from one end and he looked out of sorts, that elbow injury is getting worse from the noises he was making…..A massive target of 323 was standing between us and victory.
I would have loved to be the ‘fly’ on the wall listening to TJ give it to the lads at the innings break……
The run chase never got going with NCCC giving our bowlers a lesson in line and length bowling. Andre who is the best bowler in the country when TJ isn’t fit bowled 7 overs for 11 runs which was the difference again. Kenny was out for 11 to a suspect catch at first slip, I missed it as I was in the jacks at the time. Tom and Mully then put on a good partnership until Tom was run-out in what could be described as the marigold moment of the day. Mully again got to 30 and was out. TJ and TC came together but TC played all around one and it was left to Skip to get us home. He played positively with the lower order only to see wickets keep falling. He eventually went for 69 with some big hits clearing all parts of the ground. Jimmy batted well for his 30 odd, but we were well short of the target and bowled out for 240 odd.
Another lesson learnt by this team, let’s hope tomorrow is better…
The “Marigold Pink Glove Wanker of the Day” was a difficult decision but Kenny Carroll was the ultimate recipient. This was for his part in leaving equipment at Railway and his call about the run-out at the bowlers end. I’m told he was waving Ireland on with the glove at Croke Park, Good effort Kenneth.
Yours in Cricket, THE FLY
Railway Union Cricket Club vs Pembroke This was our first encounter with our nearest neighbours. It would be the first of many in the coming weeks. From flying in and out of conversations the boys really wanted to get their season back on track after last weeks disappointment against Limavady in the ISC.
The game got off to a great start with TJ winning his second toss in a row. With no hesitation he elected to bat. Credit must be paid to all the volunteers that spent the end of last year getting the pitch into such great condition.
RUCC started badly with the 'yet to be dismissed this season' Tom Fisher going for 0. A partnership then formed with Mully and Kenny playing well. Yet again to his and the teams frustration Mully was out in the 30's. I was sitting on Mully's shoulder towards the end of the innings only to hear coach Johnston tell him to get to 29 and then hit 2 6's.....not a bad plan. Enter the skipper who was short of form by his own admission. He and Kenny built a good partnership till lunch. TJ got what could only be called a bad decision and a possible 100 was taken away. Trent the Younger then came to the crease and started to build on the great work of the earlier batsmen. Kenny was in great form and his straight driving was a joy to watch. He was also denied a 100 by a rough decision.
My advice from a spectator is don't get hit on the pads......TC was now the senior man at the crease and what followed was simply spectacular. A clatter of boundaries and the first 100 of the season. A truly remarkable innings by a gifted player. The highlight for many was the crowning of innocent spectator Billy 'The Wild One' Dwyer in the last over - the general consensus was that it could only have done him good. The final total was 338, 200 too many with our bowling line up........
TC wasn't happy with getting one pewter mug for the night he wanted the pair! He dismissed their opening batsmen with the first ball of their innings and then another 3 balls later. Carlo was then handed the new ball at the other end and did a great job hitting the top of off stump, the game was over in the first 15.
Gaurav will certainly be missed when he leaves. He dismissed the dangerous Balbirine to a good catch by TJ. He continued to be dangerous throughout the innings with 3 or 4 chances coming off his bowling. Kenny then pulled off a great run-out chasing the ball all the way to the boundary and running out their pro with an inch perfect return. Saad came on and got 2 wickets in his first over and that was 'curtains' for the 'broke. Carlo secured the last wicket and victory was RUCC's.
The “Marigold Pink Glove Wanker of the Day” was a tough choice. Apparently there were 5 nominations, but after the voting Carlo "Big C" Rendell got the glove. It was for multiple problems throughout the day. An attempt to stop people walking behind the screen only to let them walk behind and stop play, fielding with a pair of symbols, showing affection at cricket and the icing was moving the sightscreen only to see it move itself back to its original spot. Carlo did himself proud by getting a brick to ensure it didn't happen again.
Congrats to the winners of the newly introduced Wick Award. Trent Copeland for 116 and 5 wickets and Tim Townend for his 140 in the thirds.
Yours in Cricket, THE FLY
Railway Union Cricket Club vs YMCA This game had been built up by all as a quarter final in DGM 45 over league. With YMCA coming into the game with an impressive win over Merrion the previous weekend. Once again coach Johnston had put out a strong team even without current Irish players Kevin O’Brien and Thinus Fourie. On arriving at the ground a sightscreen was in the car park upside down. Was this some sort of wise crack at YM’s fortune on the field or maybe art in progress!!!!!!!!!!!!
My mail about TJ’s tossing ability was never in question and yet again RUCC have lost another toss. YMCA batted first and were in trouble early after TC had 2 wickets in the first over. The ever reliable Carl Hosford for 0 and J Shortt for 1. That brought former Irish captain Angus Richard Dunlop to the crease but he was removed by a Mo Tariq off-cutter that would’ve hit all 3 – so I’m told. There was a partnership of 39 that followed between Harte and Beacroft before Derek “I travel to the ground on a bus in my whites” Fletcher got the first of his 4 wickets. The former bus conductor from South Africa put the ball on a 5 cent piece for his 9 overs and returned the great figures of 4-19. Fletcher and Harbhajan, sorry Gaurav Singh destroyed the YM middle and lower order to have them dismissed for 74.
The teams turned straight around as the sandwiches weren’t ready. Kenny and Tom got the boys to tea and eventually victory was achieved with the loss of Kenny’s wicket for 19. Tom Fisher continued his impressive start to the season with 41 not out. The highlight being 4 on drives for 4. Mully finished 8 not out.
Conor Mullen had been a worthy recipient of the “Marigold Pink Glove Wanker of the Day” against The Hills. There were a few nominations but two that caught the eye of the fly……
It will come as no surprise that the winner was Derek Fletcher. It would have been some sight seeing him paying the bus driving with a pink marigold on his left hand. Great work Fletch……
The team now travels away to Limavady for the first round of the All-Ireland Cup. LCC have been a strong performer in the past 25 years of the competition winning it three times and coming runners up twice.
Of course who can forget Roger’s big hitting to get us home in 2006. I reckon the bald patch/grey hairs of TJ will be more evident after this team selection meeting with Kev and Thinus back from Irish duty.
Yours in sport, The FLY
DGM 45 Over League – 2nd Round – 26/04/2008 - Railway Union Cricket Club vs The Hills Cricket Club The day got off to a terrible start with the Captain being late for his first game and if it’s one thing you don’t do is turn up late when TJ is in charge. It was very funny hearing the stories about him apologising to the team. In typical TJ fashion he blamed someone else (Mo Tariq), but my investigations tell me it was TJ’s stuff up.
The only thing wrong with TJ captaining the side is he will never win a toss. The Hills decided to bowl and took the early wicket of Kenny Carroll, and then a partnership between Mully and Tom Fisher got RUCC back on track. Mully threw away another good start, TJ hit 3 fours and then played on to a ball from Luke Clinton. Unfortunately Matt Dwyer the former international bowler and Ireland’s assistant coach at the CWC left on a stretcher as he slipped a disc in his lower back, but was seen dancing the night away in the Hills bar on a cocktail of pain killers, anti- inflammatories and cider….TC (Trent Copeland) and Tom put together a great partnership to get us back on track. TC fell just short of 50; he hit 3 big sixes and looks a great acquisition for the club. Mo came and went and that brought Saad Ullah to the crease, with the flash–of-an-eye he was hitting balls out of the park and turned the momentum in favour of RUCC bigtime. Tom finished on 89 not out a really good start for him. 229 was a very good total on this wicket.
It was time for RUCC to try and make early in roads into the Hills batting. With the dangerous Jeremy Bray hitting Mo for a massive six in the second over it looked like it was going to be a tough day. It was our first look at TC and he didn’t disappoint. He removed JB to a good Conor Mullen catch at second slip and the wickets tumbled at regular intervals after that. The Hills Pro Max Sorensen was the only person to show some resistance with 30, the next best after that was Ex Tras on 25. Coach Johnston will have to address this in the coming weeks. It was a fine fielding display with two run-outs and some good out-field catching led by Tim Townend. Watching the team train this season fielding is something they work very hard on. James Rogan who was playing an away game for RUCC but a home game in relation to where he lives had a solid game behind the sticks after eating 2 plates of homemade (by his mum) curried egg sandwiches he was on fire. TC finished with 2-17 off 7. Gaurav got some big turn and bounced and finished the day our best bowler, he also took 2 wickets. Another making his first appearance for RUCC was Carlo Rendell, he bowled a great line and length and asked questions of all the batsman finishing with 2-24. 10 points in the bag and the lads are away…..
Conor Mullen was awarded the inaugural “Marigold Pink Glove Wanker of the Day”. This is awarded to a player who makes a silly/stupid comment, has a fresh-air game or is just a plain old wanker. Mully won it for pushing the sightscreen the wrong way and tripping over a blade of grass whilst fielding.
Next game is against YMCA on Saturday at Claremont Rd, starting at 12.00. This game is effectively a quarter final in DGM.
Yours in Cricket, THE FLY
DGM 45 Over League – 1ST Round – 20/04/2008 - Railway Union Cricket Club vs Merrion Cricket Club No play due to rain – 4 points
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