As Clontarf and Leinster consolidate their gains and press on towards the league titles in the two top divisions [the latter without playing] the major gainers of the weekend were YMCA and Cork County. YMCA have nearly done enough to see themselves safely into D1 next year. Their full point win in the Phoenix Park puts them ahead of Phoenix with a game in hand and a much easier run in over the remaining few matches. For Cork, a win against Malahide with their main rivals Balbriggan failing to pick up a point against Terenure brings the two teams almost level. Cork have a game in hand but it is a difficult one against Leinster. Unless there is a wide divergence in results between the two sides over the next two rounds it will all come down to the head to head between the two on 3rd September.
There were a lot of one-sided matches in D1 this weekend. The batting dominated in two of these as YMCA [v Phoenix] and Clontarf [v Railway] put up over 300 each and took full points from the match. It was unusual [perhaps even unique] that there were two double century partnership on the same day and four centuries. Charilie Wakim [171*] and Bill Coughlan [102] put on 205 for the first wicket for Clontarf and Tom Fisher [119] and Simmi Singh [100] put on 228 for the second wicket for YMCA. Both season records.
In the third match The Hills’ batting collapsed and they were all out for 137 - North County won by six wickets without anyone getting a big score [or indeed anyone getting a hatful of wickets]. Having lost matches earlier in the season North County look [except mathematically] to be too far behind to challenge the leaders but their form suggests they will be third or even runners up.
The final game in Anglesea Road saw Pembroke put up a big score of 289/7 with Daniel Solway [149*] getting his second @150 against Merrion this year. Merrion lost three wickets and looked well out of it but a fighting stand between John Andersen and David Langford Smith [both of whom got half centuries] put them in with a good chance of victory. Some tight bowling from Josh Little and David Murphy [well supported by Paul Lawson at the death] and the Merrion chase fell away and they ended up 18 runs short, nine wickets down.
In D2 the upset of the day was probably the 101 run defeat of Balbriggan by Terenure. A fighting innings from Conor Mullen [93] saw Terenure post a competitive score of 240. Balbriggan had a disastrous start and were three wickets down for 11. A 50 run partnership between Malik Waqar and Muhammed Farruhk [56] restored some order but thereafter none of the remaining batsmen got into double figures. Balbriggan were all out for 138 with Muhammad Ali the pick of the bowlers [4/36].
It should not be counted an upset at this stage that North Kildare recorded another win, their fourth of the season, this time against Rush. Batting first Rush were 84/5 but thanks to a century from Saadat Gull [109], who had a century partnership for the sixth wicket with Alan Butterly [72*], they managed to make 246 in their 50 overs. Though not a massive score in Kenure it still had to be chased down, which North Kildare did for the loss of eight wickets in the 48th over. Major contributions from Neil Forster [83] and Robert Neavyn [57*] ensured victory.
In the last game Malahide batted first and were soon on the back foot on 2/5. Arjun Muntha took the attack to the Cork bowling hitting 12 boundaries in a quick 55. But although there were further contributions from the middle and lower order the total of 203 always looked light. Once again Stephanus Grobler was in the wickets with 3/35. A 71 run opening partnership between Grobler and Ross Durity [68] laid the foundations for a comfortable win by five wickets in the 45th over.