Walnuts Shine in Home Opener with Batting Brilliance and Bowling Discipline
On a glorious sunny evening, with temperatures reaching a balmy 22 degrees, the Walnut Taverners welcomed their old friends, Arthur’s Knights, for the home opener at Terenure College.
Adding to the occasion was the grand arrival of Cyril in the Walnut “battle bus” — a trusty minibus well-stocked with those vital essentials: chilled beer and a splash of prosecco, with coffee and tea for the drivers.
Spirits were high before a ball was bowled, thanks in no small part to Cyril’s impeccable hospitality and the very welcome addition of the mobile clubhouse.
Batting first in the Friday evening heat, the Walnuts delivered one of their finest batting displays to date, with five of the top seven batsmen reaching 20 runs. Brian was in particularly fluent form, while Liam, Damian Mike struck maximum 20s with panache and verve. Mike's knock in particular was explosive and saw him reach 20 off just 17 balls and ultimately earning him man of the match honours from the Knights captain, Frank.
Eric and Dave were the pick of the Knights' bowlers, both finishing with identical figures of 1 for 7 as the Walnuts finished with a total of 138.
In reply, Colin made an early breakthrough by dismissing the Knights’ key opener, Gavan. Brian, Sean, and Liam each chipped in with a wicket to keep the pressure on.
Adam then produced a sublime and technically impressive spell of fast-medium bowling, showcasing excellent control and subtle variation. His efforts were rewarded with outstanding figures of 1 for 2 — a spell that reflected both skill and discipline.
Damian then sealed the win with an outstanding spell of match-winning bowling, claiming a remarkable 3 wickets for just 10 runs and the well deserved man of the match honours from the Walnuts captain.
For the Knights, Tim and Dave showed resilience, both stylishly reaching the 20-run mark, but the Walnuts held on to claim a 39 run victory and retain the famous plate.
After the match, both teams retired to the clubhouse for well-earned pizza and chips, kindly provided by Gerry and Jack - thank you lads!
Player of the Match honours were awarded to Mike and Damian for the Walnuts, and to Tim for the Knights.
Finally, the Knights were effusive in their praise of the pitch’s quality, noting how well it played throughout the evening and how it rewarded both bat and ball. Their kind words reflected the care and attention that had clearly gone into its preparation. A heartfelt thanks to Philip for his tireless work and dedication in producing such an excellent surface, especially in the face of unpredictable weather conditions.
With the season now in full swing, the evening was a perfect reminder of what makes Walnut Taverners cricket so special — friendly rivalry, great camaraderie, and of course the game of cricket.
Here's to an exciting and enjoyable home season ahead for the Walnuts.
Arthur's Knights @ Terenure College , May 30th 2025