RSA Division 9
2013 Champion - Dublin University 2
Predicted 2013 Champion - Dublin University 2
2011-13 Top run scorer: Ronan Kane (Sandyford and Dublin University) 540 runs at 36.00
2011-13 Top wicket taker: Varun Walia (Adamstown) 43 wickets at 7.40
Every year throws up a division that is closer than all the others, and this is it. Some one is going to be unlucky to be relegated, someone will rocket up the table after a couple of wins in August, and there will be a battle royal at the top. All we have to do is to try and find out who will fill which role.
Much of Division 9 for 2014 is the same as last year. For various reasons, no teams came down from Division 8. Six of the teams were in Division 9 last year, and we'll start with those in the order in which they finished last year.
Mullingar 2 have had a solid couple of seasons in Division 9, and there is no reason to see why that should change this year. 5th place in 2012 was followed by 4th place last year. They have a decent record against both Leinster 5 (2-0) and Terenure 3 (4-0). Like it or not, the distance factor helps - for some reason teams struggle to get as many players to travel an hour down the road. Another top 4 finish in prospect.
Sandyford 2 finished 5th last year , which was a good performance after being promoted from Division 10 the year before. Worryingly though, of the seven other teams they have played in the division in the last few years, they only have winning records over Swords. They need to turn around that statistic, and if they don't, there will be a fight against promotion in store.
Swords 1 have been steadily improving, and 6th last year was their best finish so far in their short history. That steadiness will continue to be the theme - with good records against some strong teams, and poor records against some weak teams, consistency is a bit of a problem, but they should be able to match last year's finish, and maybe one better.
Leinster 5 are another of the mid-table teams in this division. Seventh place last year was disappointing, and they look far too good to be struggling at the wrong end of the table. Like so many others in division 9, they don't look to ahve enough strength to challenge the top either - so we'll predict 6th.
North County 4 had a poor year in 2013, and were lucky not to be put down to Division 10, after an 8th place finish. But there was a general malaise around Balrothery last year, and it seems as if that was just a blip. They have great records against all the teams in the division - except the local ones! Ringcommons and Swords both do well against County, but if they can take any wins against those two, they will surprise a few teams. Expect a finishing position that is closer to 2012's 4th than 2013's 8th.
Terenure 3 have had a tough couple of years in Division 9, finishing 7th and 9th in the last two seasons. It's difficult to see anything changing. Of the other six other clubs they have played, they have a losing record against three of them (and are on par with the other three). It could be another year at the bottom.
That just leaves the three clubs who were promoted last year, and an intriguing three they are.
Ringcommons 1 burst on to the scene in 2012, running away with Division 13. Last year was a bit harder, although they still grabbed the runners up spot in Division 10. They are relatively untested (as a team) at this level, and results haven't been promising, losing twice to Phoenix 4 and once to Swords 1 (they also have a solitary victory against North County 4). Anto Coates will as ever be crucial, but there may be no promotion for Ringcommons this year.
Greystones 2 are the unknown quantity of these nine. In their first season last year, they won Division 11, but a two division jump means they are going to need another improvement. Undoubtedly the club is improving fast. Undoubtedly, they will be better than last year. But whether they have improved enough to win the division 9 is a tough one to call. We think probably not, and will guess at 4th. It really wouldn't be a surprise for them to do better.
Finally, we get to Phoenix 4, the 2013 Division 10 champions. Normally champions from the division below just look for mid-table mediocrity. But as we've already seen, there is not much between all nine teams in this league, and if we are looking for a surprise package to grab the title at the last minute, it may just be Phoenix.
So a top four of Greystones 2, North County 4, Phoenix 4 and Mullingar 2, with Phoenix 4 to just about hold off Greystones 2. In what could be a season deciding match, the first encounter sees North County travel to Phoenix on Easter Sunday.