“Real sport” is the apt phrase which describes the Inter-Church cricket match between St. Matthew and St. Lawrence. A good time was had by spectators and players alike. At first, St. Lawrence fielded and St. Matthew set the target at 192 runs after 35 overs. The more experienced team members of the St. Matthew’s Anglican Church joked amongst themselves that they should have declared at 50.

After lunch the St. Lawrence team set out to prove them wrong. The openers, on the much disputed batting order, were Christian and Armando. Armando’s fate as an opener was short-lived and he was caught for a “duck” by an enterprising St. Matthew’s fielder. Then Akeem went out. He hit a marvelous 4, but proved the adage true that “cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties”. He hit the next ball for an ill-fated 6, which was caught, much to the pleasure of the St. Matthew fielders.

All the while, Christian was still defending his position by facing the fast-paced bowling of the only St. Matthew player in a green shirt. (Every one on the St. Matthew’s team wore a red shirt.) With Akeem’s demise on the cricket field, the captain, Maurico, went out to the pitch. It took one ball. After hitting the ball in the air for a misconceptualised 4, he was deftly caught by a fielder. He went back to the team and returned to his administrative role, despite the good-natured ribbing from his team mates on his performance.

A vertically-challenged young man, who will go by the name of “Sarwan”, (as it was prominently displayed on his white shirt), walked valiantly to the pitch. His few good shots secured St. Lawrence’s score. However, his short strides across the pitch worked to Christian’s disadvantage. Christian was eventually run out. He lasted the longest spell with 8 runs to his name. He was given a standing ovation by his teammates and supporters for his effort.

Shadon joined “Sarwan” on the pitch to defend St. Lawrence’s honour. Despite his knee injury, he succeeded. His double figure score along with the formidable partnership with “Sarwan” caused seeds of doubt to form in the minds of the opposition. The St. Matthew’s team thought that their score would be in jeopardy if they did not get one of them out. “Sarwan” just like his namesake, got run out and on his walk back, received resounding applause. Marc was next to bat. With all his knowledge of the game of cricket, he was determined to hold the fort with Shadon. He made some memorable shots, which resumed the growth of the seeds of doubt in the minds of the opposition. Yet they were not worried for long. Shadon’s batting prowess was halted with a “leg before wicket” decision. On his return he said that another fielder disagreed with the decision but the umpire’s decision was final.

So Armando’s brother, Mario, wielded his bat valiantly as he walked out on to the field to do some damage. Someone predicted that he would be the next one out. Not so! Marc was the next one out. His impatience with the slow pace of the bowling got the better of him. Then Richard went in. Raoul shouted, “Don’t get out Richard. I don’t want to play.” Richard got out. Raoul was led out to the pitch by his entourage. Raoul hit his second delivery, full and hard, but in all of the excitement forgot to run and was subsequently run out. The entourage escorted the emotional young man off the field.

Jerome was next and he definitely had a point to prove. He was not afraid of those older fielders. He would face that bowling like a good footballer and make some runs. That was his reason for being there. But the last ball was the most memorable.