Laois Cricket Club

Smit leads the charge as Laois beat Civil Service

Armand Smit produced a great all round performance to guide the Laois Cricket Club First team to their second successive victory in the Leinster Senior II League against Civil Service in Togher on Saturday.

Batting first, Laois struggled early on, and were seven wickets down with only 90 runs on the board when Armand Smit came to the square batting number nine. However, he showed some terrific form, scoring64 not out, to bring the Laois total to 177 for 9 from the allocated 44 overs. He was well supported by Mumbasher and Clint Auret.

After tea, Smit carried on as he had left off as he bowled aggressively, and was well rewarded taking 3 wickets from his 9 overs. Laois looked comfortably in control when Civil Service were 110 for 8, but struggled to take the final wickets. They eventually made the breakthrough and dismissed the final batsmen to take victory by a narrow 7 run margin in the final over. Smit’s bowling was well supported by Clint Wilkie and Shizad who took 3 ands 2 wickets respectively. The two Auret brothers also continue to show great promise.

The second II were also in action in Togher on Sunday, where they had a comprehensive 9 wicket victory over Old Belvedere. Fielding first, Laois had Old Belvedere all out for 161 after 41 overs, with Jaz being the pick of the bowlers, taking 4 wickets for 28 runs. Laois made short work of chasing the total, as Norman Batanda (85 not out) and Mudasir (48 not out) lead Laois to victory after only 22 overs.

The third team were due to play Clontarf on Saturday, but missed out due to weather. In a 20 over match in Togher on Thursday evening, Laois beat Kilkenny by 100 runs. Batting first, Laois scored 163 runs (Shazad 55), and dismissed Kilkenny for 61 (Tom Cosby 3wickets for 2 runs, and Adrian Tudor 3 wickets for 9 runs).

Photos from Laois First II vs. Civil Service at Togher (23 May 2009)

First II vs. Civil Service. Sat 23 May, Togher.

Second II vs. Old Belvedere. Sun 24 May, Togher.