The headlines will say that the 5ths' victory over the league leaders Halverstown was the Shamil Koottembeth show, but even star turns require a supporting cast. This cast was a blend of experience, or at least age, and youth.
Justifying his decision to bat first, Captain Shamil hit 130 with a mixture of extravagant stroke play and canny batting. He received excellent support from Colin Grant, Mark Deacon and Dan Read in a series of vital partnerships after Jack Grant and Adam Doyle had worked hard to see off the opening bowlers.
Malahide were feeling confident with a total 229, but it came under immediate threat as Halverstown’s own star batsman took on our opening bowlers. It’s to Matthew J-C and Dan’s huge credit that they kept their heads as good balls were dispatched to the boundary. The first change seamers then began Malahide’s come back. Liam Lydon made the breakthrough and Chris Deacon snared the vital wicket of their star bat, caught by, who else, Shamil. The spinners applied further pressure: Adam Doyle’s off-spin proved impossible to get away and Colin’s one over returned him a smart caught and bowled.
But you couldn’t keep Shamil out of the action. An over in which he took 4 wickets and was on a hat-trick twice broke the back of the Halverstown batting. The tail-enders sought to prolong the inevitable, but the bounce and pace of Matthew and the athleticism of Chris at point gave Malahide the wicket that secured victory.
The 48-run difference between owed much to Malahide’s keen, aggressive, tight fielding, and the peerless keeping of Jack celebrating his 13th birthday. The attitude and commitment of the team in the field were exemplified by debutant Oliver J-C’s superb diving stop at cover.
This victorious XI contained one U17, four U15s and two U13s. When they weren’t giving their all with bat, ball and in the field, the boys were practising in the nets, scoring and umpiring. These young players offer Malahide CC a bright future, if given suitable opportunities and the right coaching.