The EDM made his first visit to the completed Hampshire Rose Bowl, home to Hampshire CCC, to see Ireland play a Hampshire Board XI in their 19th international fixture this year. This fixture, the second round of the 2002 Cheltenham and Gloucester domestic competition, provided outgoing national coach Ken Rutherford with an opportunity to introduce new talent in the form of a number of U19 and U23 players who had not travelled to Toronto for the ICC Trophy.

Batting first, the Irish built steadily, yet a tremendous last 10 overs saw Paul Mooney (one of three European cricketers to receive support at winter academies in South Africa earlier in the year) assist Heasley (66 off 50 balls) to put on 80 runs and take the final score up to a challenging 241/7. Tight bowling, supported by athletic and determined fielding on a showery day, eventually saw the Irish comfortable winners as the Hampshire Board XI staggered their way to 209 all out.

A full contingent of the Irish committee were present and the EDM took the opportunity to consider the plans and aspirations of the ICU and its players following such a successful youth season yet ultimately a disappointing senior one.

The victory at this most impressive new cricket ground was a fitting end to the season - like the ground, which is impressive in places yet still requiring a great deal of work to be done before completion, the ICU will wish to build on the successes of the 2001 season with a view to achieving their goals in the not too distant future.