The Junior A Boys assembled on the top pitch at 6pm on Thursday evening to play their last home game of the season under clear blue skies and perfect conditions for cricket.

The Hills were the visitors this time in the return fixture having beaten us a week before in a windy Margaretstown. They arrived with a strong squad of 13 boys to play against our team that was further weakened by holidays and Leinster duties, but we were up for the job of competing hard.

We won the toss and put them in and quickly got stuck into their top order, indeed after 10 overs they had collapsed to just 37 for 5 - we were in with a chance here.

But The Hills are shrewd competitors, and sure enough, in strolled James Ryan at number 9 and started to punish our bowlers to all corners. Eventually they reached 121 for 8 after the 20 overs. We had performed well in the field though with good morale and teamwork. Excellent work from newcomers to the A's Andrew Thornes and Cillian Smyth, who saved 20 runs between them and looked sharp. Good bowling from us too with Matthew, Mitch, Charlie and Sean getting 2 wickets each.

We started solidly but slowly with the bat, with James Corroon holding up one end in a mature performance as opener. Captain Jack Grant built a typically structured innings again, retiring on 35. Our middle order struggled to keep up with the rate and all departed having got in - Michael 16, Mitch 11 and Matthew 8 - all caught trying to speed things up.

James and Sean were left with a steep hill to climb in the last 3 overs, James threatened to reel in the total with a run-a-ball 16 including a mighty 6, but we ran out of time falling just 9 runs short.

There's a friendly rivalry between us and The Hills, but it was a very light hearted "End of the season" affair and a game played in a wonderful spirit with lots of banter between the players and officials. There was good support from parents on both sides and a superb spread of food prepared by our parents.

The Hills would have left happy having won of course, but all those present were heartened having watched an enthralling and competitive game of cricket in beautiful surroundings in perfect weather.

Thanks again to the parents and for Karl for doing the book, again.