Division 7 stats
Leading all time run scorer (2011-2016) - Eugene Brennan (Wexford Wanderers) - 1149 runs @ 31.05
Most runs in a Division 7 season - Nathan Beuck (Greystones) - 495 runs (2013)
Highest score - Sanjay Saharan - 196 - Merrion 5 vs Malahide 4 - Bird Avenue - 6 June 2011
Leading all time wicket taker (2011-2016) - Alan Murphy (Wexford Wanderers) - 82 wkts @ 15.04
Most wickets in a Division 7 season - Susheel Kumar (Railway Union) - 27 wkts (2012)
Best bowling - Nabeel Anjum - 7-5 - Sandyford 1 vs Pembroke 4 - Sydney Parade 1 - 17 July 2016
Most matches - Alan Murphy (Wexford Wanderers) - 62 - (2011-2016)
Highest team score - 425-3 - Greystones 1 vs Balbriggan 2 - Marlay Park - 14 Sept 2013
Lowest team score - 37 all out - Wexford Wanderers 1 vs Castleknock 1 - Wexford RFC - 29 Aug 2015
Our last league preview looked at Division 5, and was full of optimism for teams who by and large had a good chance of winning the league Division 7 is similar - most of the teams have a good chance of winning the trophy. There is a difference however, that difference being that the majority of the eight teams in Division 7 look to be prime relegation material.
Wexford Wanderers 1 have defied predictions in the past few years, escaping the clutches of relegation repeatedly. And this year, some of the cricketing Gods may be smiling upon them, as changes in the structure of the league mean that last year's league position of 54th in the league would be 5th - and safety. But it is tough for Wexford. As we have mentioned previously, clubs with only one team are suceptible to key players leaving, and there has been a couple of departures. Against that, there have been some new members coming from the Waterford area, which may balance the losses out. Another tough season could be in prospect. We're predicting 8th, but in a league with eight closly matched teams, anything could be possible.
Dundrum 2 are a little bit of an enigma, and 2017 will be a crucial season. Without a permanent home ground in 2016, they did well to only one drop a place on their 2015 finish. Life as a wandering club (albeit one that played most of its games in St Columba's College or Clongowes College) is never easy, and the conundrum of where to play in 2017 is not quite sorted yet (although it seems as if an answer is in sight). Recent years suggest a top half finish, but Dundrum don't have that good a record against many of their opponents, and 2017 may be a bit harder than 2016. We'll predict 7th.
YMCA 4's pessimism comes purely from the fact that they are a 4th team. They are the second best fourth team in the province, and as such are playing towards the top of their powers. Their rise has been impressive, improing their league position in each of the last six seasons. The same as last year would be 6th, and there is not too much evidence around to suggest anything else.
North Kildare 2 have the unwanted record of having the biggest gap of any club in the province between their first and second strings. That isn't great for the development of players within a club, and needs to be changed. Whether this year will be the year that it happens is open to question. For all the world, they look like a top half team, but their record against other teams is a bit worrying. They've only won three from nine against Dundrum, three from seven against Bagenalstown, and their only positive record is 2-0 against YMCA 4. That looks less like a top half team, so we think they'll be safe - but back in 5th place.
Laois 2 have dominated league cricket at this level, with seven league titles since the turn of the century. They look to have the hoodoo over most of their opponents, and finished 50th in the league in 2016 and 51st in 2014 - both of which would put them in the top two of Division 7 this year. But rumours coming out of Laois may not be that positive, and perhaps yet another league title may be too much to hope for in 2017. But they haven't become a bad side over night, and should still be top half - fourth.
The top three is tough to call, and we're pretty sure we don't have it right. All the right noises are coming out of McGrath Park, and Bagenalstown 1 look to be in a better place now than they have been for years. The matches with Laois (who they have not beaten in the last six years) look crucial, but 2017 could be the year to do it. They finished 51st last year, which would be 2nd. That may be right. Perhaps it could be better. But we'll go 3rd.
What to make of Ringcommons 1? In the last seven seasons, they haven't played against any of the seven opponents in the league. They were mightily impressive last year, but at a much lower level in the league. They finished 81st last year, and need to finish 55th just to be safe from relegation. But the club is growing, with plenty of new members, and they dominated last year with an ex Ireland player who scarcely had to contribute. The nature of Division 7 makes it harder to predict where they will finish. We're plumping for 2nd - but it could be 1st or bottom!
And that leaves North County 3. It's yet another odd choice. Some are predicting that it may not be one of the best years for County, and a few players have been leaving. But North County 3 are a major team within Leinster cricket, and even though last year saw their loweest league finish, they can surely not sink further? We will have a good idea when they host Wexford Wanderers on April 23rd, the same day that YMCA 4 host Dundrum 2.