Skipper finds mojo in nailbiting clash
THE post-game beers had lacked flavour for Matthew Mcguire in the past couple of weeks.
But after being the saviour for his Norths XI they had rarely tasted sweeter.
Doubt had been floating through the leg-spinner’s mind all week, having confessed he had a shocker with the ball against Wests.
But defending a meagre total of 68 against Wanderers, the skipper rediscovered his magic.
With the scores deadlocked, Mcguire got one to turn through the gate to seal a thrilling draw.
“It was playing on my mind all week thinking if I got the ball again how I was going to go,” Mcguire said after claiming figures of 3/7.
“But it came out well thankfully and I got a few poles as a reward – the last wicket is always helpful.
“There were a few butterflies floating around in the stomach but we got there.
“The beers are tasting much better than the last couple of weeks, so we just have to look forward to next week now and hope they taste real good after a win.”
Mcguire’s final wicket heroics finished a complete game for the Norths captain after he top scored for his side with 21.
But upon his dismissal the wheels fell off as an array of “very silly shots” made enemies of themselves.
Despite that, the belief never wavered. The more wickets they took the more confidence they gained.
Eventually, momentum reared its head.
“Everyone was really intent in the game and up for it,” Mcguire said.
“When we saw their younger guys come out to bat we knew they wouldn’t have much experience in these situations, especially in A-grade cricket.
“We thought if we can bowl well and put them under as much pressure as possible we’d get a few chances.”
It was certainly a debut to remember for Norths youngster Paddy Glasheen.
While he found the going tough as tight lines from the Wanderers bowlers eventuated in him being run out trying to get off the mark, the photo finish made it one for the memory bank.
“We didn’t put enough runs on the board but we really brought it back with our bowlers, we were nervous at the end (though),” Glasheen said.
“We didn’t know how close it was so it had that element of surprise when we got the last wicket.
“It was really good to play with these guys, I’ve known them for a while but haven’t had the chance to play with them.”