After a period in which 24 and 25 point victories had become the norm in D1 it was a relief to be able to report a series of competitive matches and a number of close finishes. The beautiful weather seemed to bring out the best in the batsmen and there were more centuries, with bowlers generally having a hard time.
The [close to] top of the table class between Merrion and YMCA was probably the pick of the matches at the start of the day and so it proved. A high quality encounter, played with an intensity throughout, provided a close finish before a large crowd. In the end Merrion came off the better by 9 runs in a high scoring affair marked by a maiden century for Tyrone Kane of Merrion but with notable contributions also by John Anderson and Reinhardt Strydom and Simmi Singh.
Batting first Merrion scored 276 and will have been a little disappointed that they didn’t manage to push the score much closer to 300. YMCA bowled well at the end of the innings and it was generally agreed at tea time that Merrion had achieved no more than a par score.
YMCA started, as they often do these days, in a hurry. A high number of extras and some strong hitting quickly moved the score past 50. A couple of wickets did little to stem the flow and with Strydom and Singh at the crease YMCA were well up with the required rate. A containing spell of ten overs from Damian Poder changed the tempo of the innings somewhat but it was the introduction of skipper Dom Joyce [4/29] to the attack that turned the game. He dismissed the set batsmen, each to smart catches, and kept sufficient pressure on the middle and lower order to allow Merrion to squeeze out a victory.
Railway Union also secured a narrow victory over Pembroke. Batting second they looked well out of the game after losing five wickets for less than 100 [chasing 238] but a fighting innings by Pat Collins who opened the innings and carried his bat for 85 brought them home with three balls to spare.
The Hills also got a fright against Leinster and were indebted to a century by Cormac McLoughlin [111*] to allow them to post a still gettable 237/7. Leinster had their chances and were well in with a chance of winning before a batting collapse brought an early halt to proceedings.
In the final game in D1 Phoenix managed an unlikely win against North County, who despite a John Mooney [109] century were unable to defend a score of 280 and lost by four wickets [M Ahmed 82].
Unfortunately, there was only one good contest among the four D2 matches. The eagerly anticipated match between Clontarf and Terenure ended up with the widest margin of victory of the day with Clontarf crushing second placed Terenure by 210 runs. How Clontarf must rue the mistakes made last season when they let key matches slip and ended up relegated. Their league season this year has become little more than a series of practice sessions and they have to hope for a good cup run in either the RSA Leinster or Irish Senior Cups.
Leinster IIs had another difficult day and also lost by a margin of over 200 runs against Malahide. Two more centuries on the day from Riches [133] and Gallagher [111].
Balbriggan put up a reasonable total [214/9] against Dublin University but the batting from the students this year has been very strong and they ended up comfortable winners by six wickets. [R Forrest 86*]
The one game that produced a good contest was that between Rush and Merrion IIs. Merrion have taken the opportunity of blooding a number of younger players in their second team this year and it was mainly thanks to them – Ross Watkins [81] and Hugh Kennedy [5/38] – that Merrion managed a 10 run victory defending a modest total of 190. An important mention also for the all round performance of 17 year old Steward McDonald who made 40 and took 4 wickets.
With the top two promotion positions looking securely in the hands of Clontarf and Terenure, the win by Merrion at least keeps alive the battle to avoid relegation in D2.