With bad weather expected the 11.00 start seemed useful for Phoenix as they sought to push into the promotion slots. In the absence of the unsung hyphen and Mitchell it was decided that the Flanagan brothers would open the batting. Masud Ahmed was unavailable and Manu Kumar dropped out after initially being selected which meant a start for Faulds but also that Neill and Conliffe would be required to take some of the bowling. Captain Dickeson won the toss and inserted the visitors.
Coach Downton and David Langford-Smith opened the bowling. The illustrious hyphen did not start well as he conceded 6 runs off the bat and 4 wides in his first over. However, he settled down and broke the stand at 22. Downton bowled Henson in the next over and then McDonald and Rasool brought the score to 40 before the Irishman was removed by Conor Kelly in his second over. At drinks there were few alarms for Phoenix at 56 for 3. However, Vaughan and Rasool began to accelerate the scoring rate with 17 off Kelly’s last 3 overs and 35 off 4 overs from Neill which resulted in Conliffe replacing the Kiwi. Conliffe conceded only 2 runs from his second over but 44 from his other five although he did manage to break the partnership to put CYM at 166 for 4. From there the illustrious hyphen took 5 wickets for 3 runs from 14 balls to end on 6 wickets for 26. The highlight was an amazing caught and bowled dismissal which ended the innings. In the midst of all this Rory Flanagan chipped in by removing McDarby. Phoenix needed 182 to win.
Unfortunately Graham Flanagan made only 3 before he was dismissed by McDarby and Patrick Conliffe joined Rory Flanagan at the crease. Rory was in more fluent form than has been the case at times this season and when Conliffe struck four boundaries in one over from McDonald Phoenix moved suddenly from 53 to 71. Rasool broke through the defences of both batsmen to leave Phoenix on 86 for 3 and Kop leader John Doran felt that the home team might have had a difficult task if the illustrious hyphen had been caught at gully with the score around 100. The Gaelicised Aussie played a supporting role to his mate “Downs” and this pair saw the game through to its conclusion with almost 11 overs to spare. Coach Downton finished on 63 not out from 64 balls.
Man of the Match: The illustrious hyphen
6 wickets for 26, 1 catch, 27 not out
Apologies to all readers as the Man of the Match citation for Phoenix v CYM may have understated the nominee’s feats during the match. As well as his caught and bowled wicket the illustrious hyphen also took a sharp chance at slip i.e. two catches in total.
