YMCA took a further step towards Division 1 safety with an excellent win over Leinster who looked out of sorts and need to start picking up results.
Lewis and Strydom got the hosts off to a flyer with an opening stand of 102. Carlos Brathwaite started erratically for Leinster bowling his first 4 overs for 28 runs. George Dockrell then bowled well making the breakthrough and taking two quick wickets. Lewis fell LBW for 36 only for Dunlop to add 26 in a 42 run partnership with the gritty Strydom.
Pete 'Incy' Byrne and George Dockrell managed to partially stem the YMCA tide the former bowling tightly and restricting the run rate with 10 overs for 36 runs. However, YM finished with 213 for 8, Ahmed adding 20 in the last few overs.
Kelly and Brathwaite took out the YMCA lower order, the West Indian pro eventually finding his range. The day belonged to Strydom though, who batted for 3 hours and should have gone on to make his ton, he fell for 77, hitting out.
In reply Leinster offered little resistance. Other than Brathwaite who scored 43 and a tenth wicket cameo by Kinealey the Rathmines outfit failed badly. Injuries to Sholtz and Mallon should be taken into account but even at full strength, they will have to perform better than this. Leinster will surely fear the relegation mire and judging on this performance that is exactly what awaits.
For YMCA, Garth and Parkinson were outstanding with the ball, Beacroft supported well.
Leinster must get their focus and their injured players back and push on, quickly!
Result - YMCA win by 79 runs.
YMCA 213 - 8 in 50 overs
R Strydom 77, A Lewis 36, A Dunlop 26, E Ahmed 20*
M Kelly 3-52, G Dockrell 2-28, C Brathwaite 2-47
Leinster 134 All out
C Brathwaite 43, R Kinealey 28
J Parkinson 3-18, R Garth 3-33, P Beacroft 3-31, R Nandi 1-13
YMCA: R Strydom, A Lewis, J Short, J Parkinson, R Nandi, A Dunlop, E Ahmed, S McCauley, J Hart, R Garth, P Beacroft.
Leinster: C Brathwaite, M Kelly, H McDonnell, R Miley, P Byrne, J.P Dwyer, D Lucas, P Reynolds, R Kinealey, M Jones.
Umpires - J McGeehan, D Walsh
Scorers - S Jennings, L McGeehan
Toss - YMCA
