Last weekend saw some sort of action in three matches in Section A of the Leinster Senior League. On Saturday, Leinster, who had no doubt slept in the dressing rooms at Rathmines following a beer or five to celebrate the winning of the Irish Senior Cup on Friday, reversed their batting order against Merrion, and never recovered from being 20-4.
They ended up with 123, Ian O'Herlihy top-scoring with 30, Matt Petrie taking a Michelle Five-for 18 and Tiktish Patel a Guildford Four-for 32. Merrion didn't start too brightly, being 47-4, but they got home by four wickets thanks to 47* from Johnny Anderson. Hugh McDonnell had a Colombia Three-for 30. The 22 points took Merrion to 164.
On Sunday, Pembroke and Railway got in a 34-over match in Sydney Parade, which saw Railway pile on 239-8, with 80 from Mohammed Tariq and 60 from Conor Mullen. Pembroke got to 121-9, which was 126 runs short of the D/L par. Ryan Hopkins scored 51, and there were Colombias for Trent Johnston and Greg Lambert. The 25 points took Railway to 144.
Up at Inch there was no play possible on Sunday between North County and Clontarf. The 8 points apiece meant that Clontarf now have 152, two ahead of The Hills.
Section B was resolved on Saturday when Malahide eventually beat Old Belvedere. Belvo had been 95-4 but a couple of crazy run outs and some inept batting saw them crash to 109 all out. They quickly had Malahide at 16-3, but couldn't get a fourth wicket before tea, and Jimmy Govan (32*) and Nick Turner (35) ground out a victory and the second promotion spot for the Village by six wickets.
That renders irrelevant Saturday's final match between Rush and Old Belvedere at Kenure, except, of course, to the players. Del Boy and friends can take their final bows and return to Junior cricket, where they belong.
Today's match between Merrion and Railway Union at Anglesea Road left the destiny of the Senior title no clearer. Put in to bat, Kenny Carroll and Tom Fisher got to 67 in the 21st over against decent bowling from Matt Petrie, when Kenny ran himself out for 17. Tim Townend followed next over for a single, and Conor Mullen joined Fisher to compile a century partnership.
They gradually accelerated to 169 in the 41st over, when Fisher lost patience, marched down the track to Anderson and was bowled for 91. Trent Johnston scored a quick 23, Mully was bowled in Petrie's last over for 60, and the Wheeltappers and Shunters closed on 240-6.
Up to 35 overs Merrion were up with the rate, having lost the openers for 33 and Lavang and Anderson (27 each) for 113. The partnership between Matt Petrie and Damian Poder was worth 75 before Petrie was brilliantly caught low down at deep wide mid on by Kenny Carroll for 54. Merrion wanted 41 off the last five overs, the first of which saw the only lbw of the game, Poder out for 37 to Greg Lambert bowling round the wicket.
Podes didn't like it, his captain Jeff Short, the non-striker, liked it even less, and they said so at great length and with great intensity after the match. 200-6 became 209-9, but Patel and Keaveney scrambled to 221 all out and five bonus points. Lambert finished with 4/41.
So Merrion now have 169 points and Railway 164, and their last match is against each other again up Cold Blow Lane on Saturday. Also on Saturday The Hills entertain Clontarf, and whoever wins that will have to win their final match to win the League title. I think Clontarf will do the business, and will wrap things up against a weak Leinster side at Rathmines on Sunday.
If I'm wrong and, yes, it has been known, The Hills will then have to beat North County at Inch on Saturday week. Meantime, County will thump poor Pembroke this Saturday at Sydney Parade.
Cheers,
Stu.
