The two teams who won their opening matches in Division 2 faced off at College Park on Saturday. On a beautifully sunny day Dublin University won the toss and invited Malahide to have first use of the track. At first that seemed the correct decision as wickets fell quickly. Michael Hingston fell to Mohammad Amir Anwar. Cameron Shoebridge and Fintan McAllister both fell to Venkata Subraman.
At 22 for 3 Malahide were in trouble. Enter the Ford Brothers Gregg and Matt and things suddenly changed. Greg hitting 53 from 77 balls with 4 fours, until being caught off the bowling of Jamie Brown. Matt Ford who opened up his account last week with a century, continued this week with 131 from 101 balls hitting 6 fours and smashing 9 sixes. The pair put on 155 for the fourth wicket.
Arjun Muntha lbw to Conor Hoey and Peter Chase bowled by Venkata Subraman fell cheaply. James Newland hit a brisk 27 from 27 balls at the end. Matt Ford eventually fell to Conor Hoey. Malahide had finished on 255 for 7. A good show after being 22 for 3. Venkata Subraman 3 for 46, Mohammad Amir Anwar 1 for 36, Conor Hoey 2 for 39 and Jamie Brown 1 for 32 the successful bowlers for Dublin University.
Richard Forest and Mark Collier opened for Dublin University and the pair found going tough against Peter Chase and James Newland. Both Forrest 13 and Collier 9 fell to catches off the bowling of Newland. Lorcan Tucker came to the crease with good intent and batted well for 43 from 56 balls before falling to Matt Ford. Jamie Brown was bowled by James Newland for a duck.
Mohammad Amir Anwar run out by Agnibesh Paul for 1 and Matthew Strong, bowled by Keith Reynolds for a duck, didn't hang around leaving Dublin University in big trouble. Dean Brogan battled hard making 26 from 59 balls before being caught by Peter Chase off Keith Reynolds. Reynolds also had Isobel Joyce caught for 6. Conor Hoey holed out off the bowling of Matt Ford for 1 and Niall Hunt was last to fall bowled by Matt Ford for a duck.Dublin University's day was finally done, all out for 116. All Malahide bowlers bowled well. James Newland 3 for 19, Keith Reynolds 3 for 26 and Matt Ford 3 for 20.
No doubt who gets the Man of the Match award in this game with 131 and 3 for 20. Take a bow Matt Ford.
Malahide now sit on top of the league undefeated in their two games.