There were only two matches played this weekend in D2 - the Cork County v Leinster match was lost to the weather.
Balbriggan had the narrowest of wins over Malahide [by one wicket] with the final runs coming off four leg-byes. Bowlers were on top throughout, with the match barely making it past 50 overs. Malahide batted first and no batsman managed to make 20. The main wickets takers were schoolboy Cian Nulty, who put in his best performance at this level taking 4/29, and Ehtesham Ahmed who took 5/29. A total of 110 should have been a simple for Balbriggan but an inspired spell of bowling from Peter Chase wrecked the Balbriggan innings. In all he took six for 31, including three wickets bowled in his last over. with the other three wickets going to James Newline [3/21], Balbriggan limped over the line to win in the 25th over by one wicket. James Warsop top scored on the day with 38.
In the other match Terenure won by 48 runs to propel themselves above North Kildare in the league table. Terenure batted first and made 201 all out off the full 50 overs. Wickets and runs were shared around. In reply North Kildare collapsed to 5/24 before Imran ul-Haq and Neil Forster restored some order but in the end NK were well short. The pick of the bowlers for Terenure was Ali Shah with 4/30.
The win by Balbriggan ensures that they keep in touch with Leinster but the difference in bonus points between the sides could prove decisive. 29 points between the teams with four matches to play is certainly bridgeable - but there will be no head to head and Balbriggan probably need Leinster to lose two of their four remaining matches in order to catch them. The first of these, and the most difficult, is Cork v Leinster [which is now a refix]. If Leinster win this game then the rest of the season may well become something of a coronation procession.
Leaving aside the league title, there is the competition for the second promotion spot. Balbriggan and Cork County not only have to come higher than the other, but they have to ensure they pass the 206 points that Dublin University have already banked. This they should do - with Balbriggan needing only 53 points from a possible 100 on offer to overtake Trinity. We are still looking to the last round and the match when Balbriggan travel to Cork to determine matters.
At the other end of the table Rush and North Kildare occupy the bottom two spots although the former has a game in hand. Malahide are also not out of it yet and could still be undertake in the points table by any of the sides below them.