Division 2 has a theatrical feel to it this year. We are already part way through the first scene but there is no sign of the hero. Pre-season favourite for the league Leinster [somebody has to take top billing if we are to proceed in this vein] has yet to make an entrance on stage. But already the other characters are beginning to improvise and alter the original screenplay.
Trinity finally got the win that their efforts over the past two weekends deserved. It was unfortunate for North Kildare that they were to play their first game in the league against one of the more formidable bowling attacks and in a match foreshortened by the weather. Matt Petrie is difficult to keep out at the best of times but having to score quickly off him as well is beyond all but the best bats in Leinster.
Trinity batted first in the 30 over game and managed to put together a competitive total of 181/6, thanks in the main to half centuries from George Dockrell [78] and Lorcan Tucker [52]. This proved too much for North Kildare and with the wickets being shared among all the bowlers they were bowled out for 49.
DU did not have things so easy the previous day and against Balbriggan they were all out for 125 with only Isobel Joyce and William von Behr making it past 20. Even then it was was a hard fought win for Balbriggan with Matt Petrie only conceding 22 runs in his 10 overs and George Dockrell doing even better with 3/16 off his full complement. But it was not enough and with James Warsop at the start and Duane Harper and Khalid Bilal undefeated at the end – Balbriggan got home for the loss of six wickets.
Trinity have played three games now but having lost to Balbriggan and Malahide are unlikely to press for honours. But they are a much more competitive outfit than last year and could still affect the outcome of the league and promotion possibilities in their remaining matches.
While Leinster have been waiting to make a dramatic entrance [due on 14th of May against Balbriggan] Malahide have been quietly rewriting the script. With two victories already under their belt they are already making a strong case for a return to D1. And the manner of their wins has shown there is a good backbone to the side. On Saturday they had a home fixture against Terenure – something of an unknown quantity given the changes in personnel in the club’s 1st XI over the past couple of years. The visitors batted first and never really got going making only 160 ao [46.2] with Neil Boyne coming on third change to take 6/23 in 10 overs. Indeed without the 58 extras provided [37 wides] the game would have been over at interval.
But 160 was at least something to bowl at and by the time Ken Brennan had finished his spell of 5/29, Terenure held the advantage with Malahide on 69/6. But that was as good as it got for Terenure and Boyne and Peter Chase saw them home without losing another wicket.
The third match of the Round between Cork County and Rush was the best of the day. Cork [the visitors] batted first and made 256 ao in 48 overs thanks mainly to half-centuries from Stephen Grobler [59] and BA Bilal [53]. Eoghan Conway was the pick of the bowlers with 4/30.
But the real excitement of the day came in the second [and final] Act. Stephen Doheny [102] has been in good form of late and did not disappoint with an 80 ball century opening the innings for Rush. When he was at the crease with Shahid Iqbal [52] Rush were firmly in control and the 150 mark had passed before they lost their third wicket. Thereafter wickets fell but Rush kept edging closer until they got to 251/8, just needing six to win. But it didn’t happen and the last two wickets fell and Cork County emerged the victors by 3 runs.
So OCD2 has commenced its Broadway run, even though we still await the entrance of Hamlet [or is it Godot]. Malahide have dominated the stage in the early scenes but Balbriggan and Cork County have also grown into their roles. Trinity missed their cue on a couple of occasions but have introduced an interesting sub plot. The audience has certainly appreciated the performances of Terenure and Rush and wait to see how their characters will develop over the rest of the play.
OCD2 looks like being a much more competitive league than last year with a number of teams vying for the one promotion and one play-off spot. Compared to D1 there would seem to be a better balance between ball and bat with the latter not so dominant. In the early season perhaps most interesting will be to see if Trinity can grab a couple more victories. With double points at stake any match involving Trinity can materially affect the promotion race.
The play resumes after a short intermission on the 14th May – and I promise that is the last of the theatrical references for the season.