Irish Cricket Archives masthead
Ireland International Matches
Ireland beat Minor Counties by 99 runs
3 Day, Rathmines, 15 May 1937
Scorecard
Derek Scott

As compared to the actual team as selected, Morgan, TJ Macdonald and Shearer cried off and were replaced by Ruddle, Pigot and GJ Quinn.

This was a very meritorious win against a strong Minor Counties team. The first day was most eventful and interesting. The wicket appeared to be perfect but that it played tricks was shown by the fact that so many batsmen were dismissed when apparently well set. Ireland's opening stand produced 56 runs in 42 minutes and then the 10 wickets fell for 46 runs. On both sides the bowling and fielding were of an exceptionally high standard and the only one who shaped confidently and got thoroughly on top of the bowling was Frank Connell. He settled down from the start and was always looking for runs. As usual, his off-side play was delightful to watch, while he timed his cuts perfectly and got exceptional power into his driving. Mobey saved many boundaries from Connell by his speed in the outfield. Pigot was soundly defensive and scored only six of the 56 put on for the first wicket. At 58 Connell failed to get on top of the drive and was caught behind the bowler. Reddy, at number three, shaped confidently but was run out for seven by a sharp piece of fielding by Fordham at point. Boucher got in front to a straight one from Roberts while F Quinn and Barnes were out when they appeared to be settling down. Gerry Quinn played some lively strokes and at lunch the score was 97-7. The remaining three wickets added five runs. HRW Butterworth, like his brother, REC, bowled leg breaks. He had a high trajectory and good flight and in this innings took 4-32. E Roberts, the Hertfordshire professional, also bowled well tossed up leg breaks and took 2-22.

The Minor Counties never recovered from a very poor start and were all out for 69 at 4:30 p.m. Townsend and Mobey were careful but Billingsley's fourth over wrecked the innings. The first ball swung late from leg and beat and bowled Townsend. Next ball Brearley cut to third man but F Quinn returned quickly and accurately and Crothers ran out Brearley before he could complete his second run. The last ball beat the left-hander Carnegie-Brown just as completely as Townsend had been beaten by the first. Mobey and Fordham made the only stand of the innings. It was worth 31 runs and then Boucher, with a faster ball, bowled Fordham for 16. 39-4-16. This was the beginning of the end. Lee was out to an outfield catch by Barnes and Mobey was lbw. A great piece of fielding by Barnes at mid-off ran out Butterworth. Boucher bowled Frank while Frank Quinn and Barnes took neat catches off Boucher to close the innings. Boucher, as usual, bowled well getting surprising pace of the pitch. Graham always compelled a shot and Billingsley, in his six overs, was really fast. The fielding was very keen with Barnes, Frank Quinn and Reddy outstanding.

The best cricket now came forth. Pigot and Connell hit everything that was not on a perfect length. At 33 Pigot was lbw to Roberts. Reddy came in and he and Connell added 59 in 50 minutes. Connell was again at ease and hit crisply. At 92 Connell, with six fours in his 50, was smartly stumped by that great wicketkeeper WB Franklin of Buckinghamshire. At 101 Reddy was lbw to a ball that kept low and in the last over of the day Barnes was lbw to Jones. 108-4. A thunderstorm halved the second day's play. The morning was dull and the rain started at 3 p.m. It stopped at 5 p.m. but further play was impossible. Bowlers still held the upper hand. Ireland added only 71 for their remaining six wickets but they hit back and took four of the best Minor Counties wickets for 61. Bowlers were able to make the ball come off the wicket very fast and the fielding was very good. The brothers Quinn were out for the addition of 12 runs. Frank added one and was lbw while Gerry was well held one-handed at mid-off while driving. Boucher found a useful partner in Crothers and they added 35 for the seventh wicket. At 155 Jones came on at the Pavilion end and one of those collapses which were a feature of the match followed. The last four wickets fell for 24 runs, Jones taking all of them in 13 balls for 2 runs. He got extraordinary pace off the pitch and beat Boucher all ends up with his fourth ball. In his next over he had Crothers lbw and Ruddle caught at mid-off. With the first ball of his third over he shattered Graham's stumps but meanwhile 17 had come from an over of Roberts, including a six to Billingsley.

Minor Counties went in needing 213 to win. Fordham was caught at slip by Connell off the last ball of Billingsley's first over after a leg-bye had been scored. At lunch the score was 26-1. At 35 Brearley was beautifully caught by Boucher at slip and at 60 Mobey was lbw. Billingsley had taken all three wickets. In the next over from Graham, Boucher took another slip catch to send back Lee. Townsend was 12 not out at the close.

On the third morning the remaining six wickets fell for 52 runs. This was a notable victory against a representative side. The standard of the fielding and bowling was high but the batting lacked determination except for Boucher and Connell, but the team lacked the services of TJ Macdonald, Shearer and Ingram. Boucher bowled 6.3 overs that morning and took five of the six wickets that fell for 16 runs. His two catches off his own bowling gave him four catches in the innings. Graham got the first wicket, Carnegie-Brown playing-on. Butterworth did not stay long being bowled by a ball which fizzed off the pitch; Franklin was caught and bowled while a splendid catch at short leg by Gerry Quinn disposed of Jones. Townsend found a useful partner in Smith. Both hit out and 18 were taken from one over of Graham's, Smith hitting two successive sixes. After 27 were added Townsend hit a full toss back and Boucher, making ground, took a great catch. One run later Smith was held by Barnes at mid-off and the game had ended at 12:25 p.m.