LHK INSURANCE INTERMEDIATE CLUB - MALAHIDE PUT THE SQUEEZE ON LEINSTER

Malahide take the trophy as they defend 130 in a great battle of wills.

Malahide won the toss and decided to bat first. While there was the threat of bad weather, with no reduction in overs, the old maxim of runs on the board was their clear objective. A strong opening from Matthew Langan (34) with contributions from Hamish Manks (17), Usman Mir (18) and a quick 13 from Kapil Mohan, they would have been happy with their 130 total.

For Leinster, they would have been happy with their fielding, effecting 4 run outs and pick of the bowling was Qudra Khail with 2-25. Muhammed Ghani, Zeeshandi Merchant and Raza Rahman all took one wicket each.

Both innings were interrupted by showers and despite Leinster's best efforts they just couldn't get momentum in the chase. Tight bowling from Malahide, backed up by good fielding meant that runs were at a premium. As is often the way, when the run rate required rose wickets started to fall and Leinster were eventually bowled out for XXX, a victory by XX runs for Malahide.

Rahman top scored for Leinster with 42, the only batsman who was able to master the bowling. For Malahide Hamish Manks was the leading wicket taker with 3/13 off 4 and Clarke (2/15), Mir (1/12), Krishna (1/10) and Grant (1/22) also performed well.

The large group of Malahide supporters were jubilant at the presentation, no doubt the celebrations in the Village will be epic!