SPRINT COATINGS DIVISION ONE – THURSDAY 20.7.2023

The next fixtures in the Sprint Coating Division One take place on Thursday evening as follows:

• Leinster v The Hills (Observatory Lane)
• Pembroke v Clontarf (Sydney Parade)
• Merrion v Malahide (Anglesea Road)
• Phoenix v YMCA (Phoenix Park)

The current League Table (see below) shows that Merrion (the 2022 Champions) and Clontarf joint leaders. Clontarf actually edged the head-to-head fixture between the two table-toppers when they defeated Merrion by 4 wickets at Castle Avenue two weeks ago. Adverse weather in the early part of the season and during July has disproportionately impacted this Division which is reflected in the number of games abandoned as a ‘no result’. 

Leinster v The Hills

Leinster will be hosting The Hills in the mid-table clash with both teams on two wins. The Hills have strengthened their squad this summer with the addition of experienced overseas player, Zimbabwe International Mary-Ann Musonda who made an unbeaten hundred as they completed a comprehensive away win at Phoenix. Another newcomer Tahlia Dunne was also in the runs that day combining well with Musonda for a brilliant 123-run partnership for the second wicket.

It has been a challenging season so far for Leinster by their own standards, the highlights being two home wins in June against Phoenix (who have yet to win a game) and Pembroke when Sophie MacMahon and Laura Delany delivered with both bat and ball to deliver a 5-wicket win.

Mary-Ann Musonda has played a leading role in league wins for The Hills

Pembroke v Clontarf

Clontarf travel to Sydney Parade to face a Pembroke team fresh from their Senior Cup Semi-Final win over YMCA on Tuesday evening – the early season fixture was a victim of the weather. Pembroke’s last league fixture was also against YM just seven days ago when Clare Shillington carried her bat for an unbeaten 58 to see Pembroke to a relatively facile 8 wicket win. In many ways, Clontarf are the surprise package as they jointly lead the posse with six wins from their first nine fixtures and have only slipped up once when The Hills successfully chased 145 in Castle Avenue for the loss of just two wickets with half centuries from Musonda and Dunne (again). Chloe Ericson also chipped in with 3-20 off her 4 overs to restrict the Clontarf innings.

Clontarf will be looking to maintain their winning momentum at Sydney Parade

Merrion v Malahide

Merrion host Malahide in a repeat of Tuesday evening’s Senior Cup Semi-Final. The hosts will be looking for a similar result to keep the pressure on Clontarf at the top of the table and enhance their chances of successfully defending the title they won in 2022. The reverse fixture at The Village was washed out back in May with a ball being bowled.

The last of Malahide’s three wins came on 8th June when they defeated The Hills by 8 wickets at The Vineyard when Amy Hunter and Arlene Kelly posted 96 for the second wicket in a facile chase. Unfortunately for Malahide, they have since lost 4 on the bounce, to Clontarf (twice), to YMCA and then to Merrion in the Cup on Tuesday.

Merrion will be looking to defend their Division One title from 2022

Phoenix v YMCA

In the final game of the evening, Phoenix will be in search of their first League win as they host YMCA in the Park. Phoenix have been particularly unlucky with games lost to the weather so far this season and are in a rebuilding process under the experienced oversight of their recently appointed Head Coach, Claire Terblanche. YM has had their own challenges this season primarily arising from uncertainties associated with their ground and will be hoping that their relatively young squad can deliver a result in the Park. There will be plenty of talent on show for both sides in what could be a very competitive fixture.

Claire Terblanche who is leading a rebuilding process at Phoenix