Pundits [Half Empty] Corner

Perhaps because of their collective failure to foresee the Leinster win over YMCA in the last round of matches, the pundits have withdrawn to reflect and, so far at least, have not put forward any predictions for this weekend’s RSA OC Division 1 and Division 2 league matches. If any recover in time we will put them up.

 It would also seem that betting on Division 1 matches online is no longer available – we can only presume that it was the prospect of more €5 bets on ‘favourites’ by the author, who was slowly recovering his €50 investment from the start of the season, that worried the bookmakers.

As to the weekend matches. Perhaps this is the opportunity for someone to finally win against Clontarf in D2. As was pointed out by the eagle eyed following an article yesterday, Clontarf have won the D2 title. In defence it should be said that we only include results when the scorecards are received and checked. This has now been done for the outstanding match and congratulations to Clontarf in winning the D2 league. With their attention now focussed on the RSA Irish Senior Cup Final could Terenure, their closest challengers throughout the season, nip in and achieve a win. This is the sort of wild bet that would have lost me my stake earlier in the year – so I am still going with Clontarf.

With a game in hand Rush are still in with an outside chance of the second promotion spot and that should be enough to sustain their interest in the encounter with Merrion at Anglesea Road. I am also going for a win for the 1^st XI in the final match between Leinster II and Malahide.

The top of the table clash in D1 between YMCA and Merrion is really too tight to call. Both teams have major finals ahead and today’s encounter has the feel of a semi-final at least. Given the order in which the matches are played one can expect the ‘experienced’ YMCA team to be fresh for today’s match and with home advantage and the better bowling attack, should just about shade it.

At the same time in Milverton, The Hills will be hoping for a comfortable win over Leinster to keep their Championship ambitions alive. Notwithstanding Leinster’s improved form, The Hills should be strong enough to achieve the victory.

In the other two matches, Railway are forecast to beat Pembroke who have their cup final tomorrow and North County should be too strong for Phoenix in a match that does not affect promotion or relegation.

And the contribution from Paul Reynolds

And from Ger Siggins