Malahide travelled to Rush yesterday minus the services of Ireland International Bowler Peter Chase. So when Rush won the toss they decided to bat. Rush started well with Conor Armstrong and Stephen Doheny quickly getting to 37 where Armstrong was first out caught by Anish Desai off the bowling of Peter Saville for 22, hitting 5 fours. One run later new batsman Conor Mullen fell lbw to Jimmy Newland for 1. Neil Rock joined Doheny for a partnership of 19. Rock was then caught by Fintan McAlister from the bowling of Saville. Saadat Gull didn't stay too long falling lbw to Agnibesh Paul for 1. Doheny was steady at the other end and joined by Shahid Iqbal the pair brought the score to 92 when Doheny was caught by James Newland off the bowling of Agnibesh Paul for 40 with 7 fours and 1 maximum. Nathan McGuire was stumped by McAllister again bowled by Agnibesh Paul for 2. Alan Eastwood came and went quickly for 1 caught by James Newland from the bowling of Keith Reynolds. Rush now 7 for 105. Iqbal was batting nicely but running out of partners. Alex Neary fell lbw to Keith Reynolds for 6. Daniel Coffey joined Iqbal for fighting partnership of 38. Shahid Iqbal finally fell stumped by McAllister from the bowling of Neil Boyne for an excellent 45 from 63 balls, with 4 fours and 2 sixes. Rush now 9-151. Aaron McGuire was bowled by Matt Ford for 2, the final wicket to fall. Daniel Coffey battled hard and finished 9 not out from 33 balls. Rush were all out for 157 in 35.4 overs.
Malahide hardly missed their talisman bowler Peter Chase. Agnibesh Paul took 3-27 from his 10 overs. Keith Reynolds 2-20, Peter Saville 2-35, Matt Ford 1-4, Neil Boyne 1-22 and James Newland 1-48 the wicket takers.
In what was the innings that would bring the Title to The Village, Malahide opened up with Cameron Shoebridge and Arjun Muntha. They had progressed to 14 when Muntha fell to the bowling of Daniel Coffey, caught by Saadat Gull. Anish Desai joined Shoebridge and they brought the total to 46 where Shoebridge was caught by Conor Armstrong from the bowling of Alex Neary. Greg Ford came and went the same way for 6, caught Armstrong, bowled Neary. Rush getting into the game now with Malahide 58-3. The watchful Desai was then joined by Matt Ford and things went firmly back in Malahide's favour. The pair batted beautifully for a partnership of 62. Desai finally falling for an excellent 52 from 75 balls with 6 fours. Fintan McAllister was then involved in a partnership of 29 with Matt Ford, before being caught by Nathan McGuire from the bowling of Aaron McGuire for 0. A partnership dominated by Ford no doubt. James Newland finished 0 not out. That left the Ford Machine 65 not out from 55 balls hitting 3 fours and 6 maximums. It was indeed fitting that Matt Ford he should be the player to bring Malahide home to a title winning victory.
Rush never had enough runs on the board but tried manfully with the ball. Aaron McGuire 2-23, Alex Neary 2-31 and Daniel Coffey 1-32 the successful bowlers.
This victory leaves Malahide with an unassailable lead at the top of the league. Congratulations to them. No doubt the Champagne was taken off the ice last night. The only question is can they go through the league unbeaten. Terenure and Balbriggan in the last match are left in their way. The last match could be the biggest test. But they will be favourites to end the season as Unbeaten Champions.