Laois Cricket Club

The 2 XI were looking forward to enjoying their position as League Champions in this the last game of the season, but it was soon clear Sandyford 1 team were not going to give them that opportunity by putting up a positive challenge.

Laois won the toss and chose to bat. Mudasir and Ali got off to a steady start, scoring only 8 runs off the first 4 overs as they struggled to get the pace and the bounce of the pitch.Mudasir was soon bowled by Reddy for 10, the ball after he was dropped off a skier.Ali settled in for a long stand with Shiva; these two put on exactly 100 for the 2 wicket before Ali was bowled by Kiran for 65.Shiva continued to mix a steady defence with some beautiful cover drives and square cuts while Ramzan, whose quick scoring meant that he put on 21 from a stand of 30.

Shiva then continued to control the innings as he anchored another 50 run partnership with Peter Auret who smote 2 hefty sixes over midwicket in his 27.He fell for 68 the following over having batted for 35 of them in all.This was an excellent knock, mixing patience with some fine stroke play and deserving of a man of the match mention.

Louie Auret (3) and Irfan (8*) completed the innings taking the score up to 225 for 6 off the 45 overs.This total was considered par for the course and would need some steady bowling and fielding to ensure the win.

Sandyford were not giving up.As a 1 XI, they had presented probably the fastest bowling attack that Laois had faced all season, and now took hold of the game with some aggressive batting.

Stritthof and Oosthuizen took the score quickly to 70 off 10 overs with both Clint Auret and Andrew King conceding a number of boundaries and quick singles.Adjustments to the field did not restrict the runs, nor did a change of bowling.Although Clint removed Ootshuizen (36) after he skied a pull that was collected by keeper Mudasir.

The answer came when Ali came on to bowl his brisk spinners, and removed Smyth for no wicket.Woodward replaced Clint Auret and was fortunate to tempt Strithof (37) into edging behind.

Louie Auret took over from Woodward and the 15 year-old was introduced to a higher level of opponent.Commendably, he showed the same perseverance he had shown the previous week at Leinster, he stuck to his line and length, bowling to his field.Y. Ali (34) had taken a liking to Louie’s bowling punching a series of boundaries between mid-wicket and long-on, but the determination not to lose this battle was rewarded when Louie bowled him, cutting one sharply back into his off stump.

Woodward then rested Ali and Louie, returning himself and bringing on Peter Auret at the other end.A period of a round 10 overs during which Sandyford were unable to hit a boundary saw the run rate required reach 6 an over. ’s 1 for 21 off 8 was crucial to the innings and Woodward was lucky for his 3 wickets, eventually conceding 47 off 10.

Two catches, well taken by Clint Auret, and another by Shiva who took a great catch, diving forward at square leg, set up a close finish.Ali returned to keep it tight in the last 3 overs and although only 9 wickets fell, Sandyford remained 12 short.

The team’s response in this game was as it has been throughout the season; never say die! With the score ticking along, the team knew that it could take wickets and that someone would come good.The bowlers were well supported by some excellent fielding with rarely a fumble.

Laois 2 XI lost two matches during 2009; one following a 35 over slog against Leinster and the other, regrettably, in the semi-final of the Middle Cup.On all other occasions the team rose to the challenges and were deserving of their 2 League Title in two years.