Round 7 this year is the reverse fixtures from the first round of the league. This means that there is still a round of matches from the first series to go. But in terms of matches played - it is the halfway point.
YMCA v Merrion:
The ‘Match of the Day’ [with video highlights tomorrow] is between YMCA and Merrion. When the teams met in the first weekend it ended up in the closest of victories for YMCA. Since then both teams have grown stronger and each have held the top spot in the league for a time. Merrion currently head the leaderboard but it is a position that has proved difficult to hold on to for long with no fewer than four teams leading the league at one time or another.
With Simi Singh and Jack Tector [both have over 200 senior runs already this season] in excellent form with the bat, YMCA have the ability to either post or chase down a big total. Merrion have batting in depth with the main runs coming from Dom Joyce, John Anderson and Jack Carty. This has the potential to be a high scoring match and the winners may well prove to be the team whose bowlers succeed in taking early wickets. Result too close to call.
Some interesting team news sees three Tector brother turn out together [in senior cricket] for the first time. Debut for Tim Tector [Under 15]. For Merrion James Hitchcock from South Africa gets his first call-up.
YMCA: Jack Tector [C], Oliver Gunning, Simi Singh, Harry Tector, Sam Murphy [W], Bobby Gamble, Jarred Barnes, Padraic Flanagan, James Parkinson, Aviral Shukla, Tim Tector.
Merrion: Merrion: D Joyce [C], P Tice [W], J Anderson, T Kane, T Stanton, J Carty, P Mehta, M Lewis, J Hitchcock, S Stanton, B Bhatal.
Pembroke v Phoenix
With all other matches in the first round played as T20s, perhaps not too much should be read into them. Current form is more important. But for what it is worth Pembroke had a comprehensive nine wicket win in the first fixture between the sides with JJ Garth and Alex Ridley taking the wickets and Theo Lawson and Andy Balbirnie making the runs. it is unlikely to be as easy today - even with home advantage.
This is an important game for both teams and may well determine the storyline for the remainder of the season. Pembroke are in the ‘play off’ position and another loss would leave them going into the second part of the season with the avoidance of relegation foremost on their minds. For Phoenix [with three wins already] another win would position them nicely one victory behind the leaders. A loss on the other hand would drag them into a battle with three other sides in the bottom half of the table.
Pembroke’s batting has failed to spark this season and this has been at the root of their modest form. Phoenix on the other hand have compiled some big scores but their bowling attack has lacked penetration. It will be an interesting contrast of styles. A couple of changes on the Pembroke side as Bill Whaley making his first appearance of the season and Alex Barrett comes in on debut. Phoenix look to be close to full strength with Sine Tsotsa and Gordy Millar back in. Phoenix marginal favourites.
Pembroke: Tucker F [C], Lawson P, Lawson T, Balbirnie J, Balbirnie, A, Garth JJ, Ridley A, Hoey, Mullen C, Barrett A, Whaley B.
Phoenix: Tom Anders ©, Reinhardt Strydom, Rory Anders, Richie Lawrence, Brad Kneebone, Fletcher Coutts, Alex Kervalas, Ben White, Adam Chester, Gordy Millar, Sine Tsotsa.
North County v The Hills [later 1.00 start]
A match between North County v The Hills will never be without interest. North County won the T20 re-fix by a close margin and with form, home advantage and a full squad to select from they go into this game better placed to continue their challenge for honours. But The Hills, who started the season poorly losing three of their first four games are playing better and beginning to look more like the side that came close to winning the league last season. Both teams come into the match off maximum point wins last weekend. It may come down to whether The Hills bowling is able to contain a very strong NC batting line-up led by Malcolm Nofal.
Both teams are at full strength.
North County: Niall McGovern [C], Jamie Grassi [W], Malcolm Nofal, Jonno Andrews, Tomas Sheil, Adam Coughlan, Conor Sheil, Sean Kingston, Cian Mulvanny, Andrew Sheridan, Eddie Richardson.
The Hills: Max Sorensen [C], Mark Donegan [W], Albert van der Merwe, Sean Terry, Nicolaas Pretorius, Tomas Rooney Murphy, Andrew Kavanagh, Harry Archer, Luke Clinton, Daya Singh, Nazeer Shoukat.
Leinster v Clontarf
Clontarf beat Leinster comfortably in the T20 [first round] and have been on a strong run of wins lately. Their form contrasts with that of Leinster who got badly beaten by The Hills last weekend. Leinster will be hoping that George Dockrell will be able to follow on from his performance with bat and ball for the Leinster Lightning last week. This is an important game for both sides but for different reasons. Clontarf cannot afford to allow their rivals at the top of the table to steal a march on them. A win today [if Merrion lose] will see them to top of the table at the halfway mark. This will be an important statement of intent - and an indication that they do not intend to let the league slip from their grasp as they did last year. For Leinster - it is survival mode. A loss today [and wins for The Hills and Pembroke] could see them uncomfortably detached at the foot of the table.
Leinster: G Dockrell [C], G Delany, J. Carroll, A Clough, I. O'Herlihy [W], S. Bahadur, B. Azhar, F O’Sullivan, F Conaty, C Mallon, M Patil.
No team from Clontarf.