When DUCC assembled in College Park for the next League contest several of the players were still "buzzing" from the excitement at Malahide. Several others were probably sleep-deprived as there were exams to revise for in addition to matches to win. The "regular XI" were all on duty and experienced a remarkable game in which it could rightly be said there was hardly "a bus ticket" between the teams from start to finish.

That is not to say that the cricket was flamboyant. Far from it-it was absorbing, intense and competitive throughout. Naturally DUCC batted first and Barney McKenna despatched Podge Hughes (who, incidentally had been on the DUCC Cup Winning teams of 1961,'62 and '63) for four first ball, one of only 4 in the innings and 9 in the whole match!. Hughes struck in his second over removing Silverstone but Bryce began brightly and the second wicket was worth 33 when he was run out for 17. McKenna (20) became Hughes 2nd victim two runs later but Philip Nixon backed up his sterling work at Malahide with another vital knock. He top scored with 27 in just over an hour including 3 threes and 9 twos. When he was the first of slow left arm Mick Delaney's 6 wickets the score had advanced to 92 for 5 following stands of 22 with Hart Cox and 23 with Chris Harte.

In the 52 minutes up to Tea only another 23 runs were scored for the loss of Hewson, Halliday and Kirk. Harte hung about to the end for his 19* but it took him an hour and a half. John Frankland hit a boundary but Delaney, 0 for 6 after 5 overs, finished with 6 for 16 from 15.3! With Ernie Bodell, parsimonious to a fault (17 over for 29 runs), Trinity crawled to 120 all out; it just didn't seem enough-again!

If Clontarf in reply found run-scoring a demanding task - they managed about 2.5 an over throughout-the innings of Mick Carroll stood out. Coming in at number 5 (31 for 3) he remained un-defeated on 42, more than twice the score of any of his colleagues. Half of the first 10 overs were maidens as McCarey and Frankland once again tested the mettle of the opposition's top order. Frankland removed J.B. Bunworth caught at the wicket in his 3rd over. Spence (10) and McDermott took the total to 30 when they fell in consecutive overs to Hewson and Frankland. Rubbatham and Carroll put on 22 before Halliday removed the former and bowled Gus Carroll, whilst McCarey, in his second spell, bowled Noel Grier.

At 57 for 6 DUCC had got their noses well in front only for Podge Hughes to become Carroll's ally in a 7th wicket partnership of 33, the joint highest of the match. By 5 past eight when Halliday had Hughes stumped by Chris Harte the requirement was 31 runs with 3 wickets needed for the students. Bodell (7) and Carroll found 20 of these runs but McCarey cleaned up the former and a second catch for Alan Kirk accounted for Delaney, Frankland's 3rd victim.

Now, in fading light, 5 more were required and a great piece of fielding by Silverstone prevented a Carroll boundary. Vitally the 2 runs secured meant that 3 would win it, but Mick Carroll was now at the non-striker's end. Number 11, Paddy Murphy, faced Ronnie McCarey from the Library End. Murphy defended stoutly until the 5th ball which was squirted in the direction of the score-box. Simon Hewson got to it quickly but it looked as if the 2 runs to secure (at least) a Tie were there. However a slight hesitation on the turn, a very accurate one bounce throw to CCJ and the bails are off! Huge appeal-and all eyes are on the Square-Leg Umpire (who happens to be Bob Smith wearing his Clontarf tie) a much loved and respected figure. Slowly and with a wry smile the finger goes up!

Cue massive celebrations; people seemed to arrive from all directions. It is alleged that a great cheer went up from those watching from the one small window in the New (Barkley) Library that overlooked the Cricket ground but I've yet to hear this verified. Two single run victories in consecutive games-you can't script that.

• DUCC 120 all out. P. Nixon 27, B. McKenna 20; M. Delaney 15.3-7-16-6,P. Hughes 15-2-39-3
• Clontarf 119 all out M. Carroll 42*, P. Hughes 18, E. McDermott 17; M. Halliday 10-2-20-3, J. Frankland 16-5-45-3, R. McCarey 16-4-38-2.

A weekend off to look forward to save for Mikes Halliday and Bryce. They were both selected for North Leinster's trip to Ballygomartin Road (Woodvale) in the Guinness Cup. Despite having Alec O'Riordan, Douggie Goodwin and Podge Hughes in their side the North Leinster selectors were bound to have noticed that John Frankland (26) and Ronnie McCarey (25 wickets) were demanding consideration. Had anyone realised that the following Guinness Cup match was the "local derby" with South Leinster and that it was on Saturday 6th June in College Park? That just happened to be the date of DUCC's final League match v MERRION!

In the meantime the players could revise, relax or socialise before the Invitation 2-day game at the start of Trinity Week. It was likely that many of them would also play for the DUCC Ramblers against a strong Leprechauns Team on the Thursday. Then on Saturday 30th May DUCC would make their return to the Leinster Senior Cup with a second visit of the season to Park Avenue.