The Crabs, struggling for numbers, blooded an 11-year-old and even managed to get this journalist to pad up.

But it wasn't enough as the brave Crabs could only post 57 before the Meerkats ran it down (1/69).

Grassmere's opener Justin Coates finished 26 not out while Justin Lynch was 35 not out.

Killarney's opener Damian Kenny top-scored with 17.

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But the match at Killarney Recreation Reserve will be remembered more for its historical significance.

Killarney youngster Mason Cole, 11, played his first senior match alongside veteran Heaton Jarrad.

Jarrad played in the club's first ever match more than 30 years ago.

"I've been with Killarney since the very first game that it played," he said.

"I was playing B grade.

"We were generally hopeless then and it looks like we're fairly hopeless today as well."

The good-humoured Jarrad said he could still remember when it all started.

"Back in the early days in our B grade side, if the team made 50 runs it was an absolute miracle," he said.

"We celebrated almost every time that we made 50 runs in the first five or six years.

"I also remember the first game and only two people had played cricket in their lives, including school cricket."

Jarrad said he started playing with the club when he was 29.

"I guess I'm simply a stayer, I wouldn't like to move anywhere else," he said.

"And I love the game."

Cole batted courageously in his division one debut.

"My Dad (James) plays and I thought I was ready so I just gave it a crack," he said.

Cole normally plays under 13s and prefers to bowl.

Meanwhile, it's not often that a journalist would turn up to do a cricket story and end up being part of the match.

This reporter was asked if he'd like to pad up for the Crabs given they were a few players short and losing wickets quickly.

I stepped in, staying in for five overs (four not out) and walked off the pitch with young Cole, who batted last.

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