Ashford snatch two victories over weekend
DARTS AWARDS, CRICKET AND ATHLETICS
ASHFORD had two games last weekend, travelling to Merrion Cricket Club, in Dublin on Friday night and batting first, they put up a total of 109 runs in their 20 overs.
Anthony Hill was inspiring with the bat, hitting four fours and a six scoring a blistering 23, in eight balls.
Eric Fury batting number two had to hold his end, and skilfully made his way to his maximum of twenty, with a fine defensive display, while his teammates crumbled around him.
Finally he was joined at the crease by Reece Kenyon, batting number six, and Reece hit three elegant fours in his short inning of 13 balls, to get his 20.
Ashford had put up their total at just under five and a half runs and over.
Merrion only scored three runs in their first over, but then ten in their second and that put them on route for their expected victory, but then in the next six overs: firstly from Anthony Hill three runs an over and one wicket, followed by Brian Fanning had only two runs hit off him for one wicket, and then Kevin Fox had only one run hit of him for two wickets, Ashford had the edge and thought that they might win.
Unfortunately Taveners Cricket forces all the fielding side to bowl and the next six overs went for all but forty runs and Merrion, once more had their win in sight, but a tight over from John Morrissey had Merrion needing thirteen off the last over and they got close; the Death bowling of Kevin Fox denied them, they were two runs short and Ashford had won.
Saturday was Ashford’s fourth annual match against the Bray Hunt, always well supported and what with the Sun, the Pym’s and sparkling wine it was a festive occasion, and sport at its best.
The Bray Hunt had a few cricketers in their ranks but most were just brave young men willing to risk fast bowling and a rock hard ball.
Ashford won the toss and elected to bat, Tony Buck once again getting his maximum of 32 off just 22 balls a rate of a run and a half a ball, but only Eoin Kavanagh scored at a better rate achieving over two runs a ball before being run out, and as always, when there is no square leg umpire, such decisions are tricky, and Eoin walked.
The rest of the batsmen batted scrappily yet Nick Seymour dispatched a high ball for an impressive four to the longest part of the ground.
The Ashford innings ended in the twenty-ninth over with an injury to Geroid Roche, with the home side declaring on one 131.
The Bray hunt had a line-up of big hitters, Niall Breen getting to thirty five runs in only 15 balls including three magnificent sixes and three fours but as non- cricketers his teammates did manage an impressive further ten boundaries between them, but they were unable to keep the ball down and the Ashford fielders held an impressive five catches and with four overs to spare Patrick Phelan, who had kept wicket for the Bray Hunt Side and had found his natural rhythm with the bat, ran out of partners, Ashford had snatched the second victory of the weekend by four runs.