As the sun came out for the first May weekend of the season, it was the batsmen who took advantage. The cricket historians may correct me but I cannot remember a day when there were more centuries scored in Leinster.
First off the blocks was Finton McAllister whose chanceless century enabled Malahide to recover from the loss of a wicket in the first over and take complete control of the match and secure a maximum points win over Merrion II. Down the road, and somewhat later in the evening, it was Rhynard Strydom who was battering the North County attack on the way to a seven wicket win scoring 109* in the process. [Earlier Trent Johnston had earlier taken 5/18].
Not to be outdone, there were two centuries in College Park where Richard Forrest one of two players to score 100 and be on the losing side. But what looked like a competitive total of 232 for the students was easily hauled back by a not out 111 by Tom Fisher and 94 from D Van Zyl.
In the Park in the meantime, Railway Union were bouncing back from their loss the previous week by amassing a total of 272 for 7 against Phoenix. Here it was Pat Collins who led the way with a century. He then came on as fourth change to take seven wickets in 8.3 overs for 33 to leave Railway 70 runs short. A good day in the office for Pat which won’t be bettered all season.
Castle Avenue also saw two centuries. Andrew Poynter made 109* in 76 balls [the days fastest century] for Clontarf as they posted a massive 322 for 4. The Rush scorecard had a strange look with only two players [schoolboys Doheny and Burke coming in at 10 and 11] getting into double figures. The century from L Jansen was not enough to deny Clontarf full points.
And finally we come to the matches without centuries. With the first seven players getting to double figures, Leinster will be disappointed that they did not make more than 185 [Eastwood and Whaley four wickets each]. In the end it was too easy for Pembroke with Andrew Balbiernie and Robin Russell making 50* to secure an 8 wicket win.
Balbriggan have a 93* from Adrian Harper to thank for reaching 248/9 and ultimately full points as Leinster II were bowled out for 146. And another big score from Max Sorenson [89*] saw The Hills comfortably chase down Merrion’s total of 213 [with nine players getting into double figures and no half centuries].
So the two top leagues begin to take shape. The Hills and YMCA [who don’t play each other until 22nd June] are the front runners and have already secured important wins against potential rivals for the league. At the other end of the table Phoenix and Leinster have now suffered two heavy defeats with only three points between them and need to kick start their season. They also play each other on 22nd June and both have difficult away figures in the next round against Merrion and North County respectively.
For the neutrals[if there are any around] there were no close matches to savour. In Division 1 only Phoenix managed two losing points [all others got one] and in Division 2 there were three maximum points victories and a double pointer for trinity.
The real winners – the groundsmen throughout Leinster who after a difficult Spring managed to produce wickets for the first weekend in May that flowed with runs. In D2 the lowest first inning total was 231 [and that was comfortably chased down]. In D1 scores of 171 and 187 by North County and Leinster were followed by seven and eight wicket victories in the second innings.