And it all stated so well.  Driving into the private grounds of Castleknock College on a glorious morning there was a wow moment.  Expecting to play on the usual ploughed field of a rugby pitch we were greeted by the idyllic surrounds of the Vincentian College.  Yes we were on a mat on a rugby pitch but the mat was good and the outfield trim.  A compact old style pavilion befitting of the venue watched over us.  The scene was set for runs.  How could you fail to score.  We won the toss and in the blink we were 13 for 4. Young off spinning saffer, Hortman, did the early damage removing 3 of the top 4 for next to nought.   A relaxed Shamil Kootembeth 52 and Mandip Kumar 20 saved the blushes with a 5th wicket stand of 62.  Shamil in particular stroked the ball with confidence.  Vikas Gulati kept the momentum and hit an attacking 34.  Later order Joe Jennings 16 and Eoghan Keohane 15*  took us to 170 all out after 39.4  overs and gave the bowlers something to bowl at after the deplorable start.

On the resumption, three early wickets gave promise including a brilliant run out by Liam Lydon scrum-half diving from mid wicket to the non striker's end.  However, that was the last of our success as young Hortman 52 and Mohammad Hoique 66* skilfully knocked off the runs for Phoenix to win by 7 wickets.  We didn't help ourselves by spilling a few.  Gulati was the pick of the bowlers with 0 for 26 off 7.

Brian Gilmore