After a barren period of 2 weeks without a win, the Junior A squad went out to YMCA on Tuesday evening keen to get back on track.

Our boys were delighted to see their former team mate Wilhelm de Klerk was captaining the opposition and our Captain Matthew Clark started positively by winning the toss and putting the home team in first.

Wilhelm strode out to face Matthew for the first ball and showed his intent with a wild swipe - thin edged just past the keeper for one. This near-miss seemed to invigorate the Malahide fielders and gave us an extra spring in our step.

Wilhelm moved on to 40 retired, but in no means dominated and there were several chances for us to dispatch him earlier, but he played a typically well structured Captain's innings.

They had a couple of other batsmen who got in and threatened to pull away, but excellent fielding by us kept their score under control and it was the introduction of Oscar McCormack that stalled their progress. For the first two overs of his spell, Oscar hit the perfect length and bamboozled the batsmen with sharp turn. It was the 3rd over that did the damage though - three wickets in four balls - he was unplayable.

So YM finished on 114 after their 20 overs.

After a string of run outs in previous matches that have certainly cost us victory in several games - each batsman was briefed to protect his wicket and build an innings. The total required shouldn't need any heroics - just steady progress.

Our openers Matthew Clarke and Daniel Crampton both fell early and cheaply - not a good start, but Oliver Manks and Aaron Doyle came in at 3 and 4 and repeated the excellent batting that we have seen regularly this season from both of them. Both retiring on 35.

Oscar and Sean kept the scoreboard moving and then Matthew Langan showed maturity by nudging ones and twos to keep the required runs under control, joined by James Dickinson after Oscar was bowled.

7 runs required off the last two overs, so again, our Umpire reminded the batters just to take it easy, no need for heroics, no silly wickets, no run outs - just tickle along and we'll win this.

So Matthew Langan proceeded to hit the ball for SIX into the gardens of the apartments next to the ground! Ok - Job done!

So a well deserved victory for Malahide playing a very good humoured game against a mixed, but well spirited and captained YM team. The two teams meet again in The Village this Saturday morning and another exciting match is in prospect.

Well done to all 11 for a great team performance. Thanks to Hamish for doing the book and also to the many parents who came to watch the match and witness a good victory. That support makes all the difference sometimes.