Following what seems like a very long time, perhaps it's the weather, games in the Russell Court Division 2 recommence today with two really important looking fixtures.

High Flying Leaders Malahide travel to Cork unbeaten and looking to stretch their lead over the rest. On form this fixture looks a foregone conclusion with Cork in sixth position 69 points behind the leaders. However, Malahide will be wary of the Munster Men in The Mardyke. They can be a different animal on home soil. Not sure of how both will line out, but Malahide should have enough in their ranks to secure a win. The Ford Brothers with the Bat and Virat Kohli's conqueror Peter Chase with the ball could swing it for the Villagers. Away win perhaps but not without a fight.

In the other fixture Rush make the short trip to Jack Harper Memorial Park to face second place Balbriggan in what should be a keenly contested Local Derby. With things very tight at the top this game is of huge importance to both sides. Both did reasonably well in the T20 and games between the two are usually tight. Both teams have match winners with the bat and it could be a case of which of the sides bowls the better. A defeat for Rush could leave them struggling to challenge for a promotion spot. Balbriggan will be hoping to keep the pressure on Malahide who they lost narrowly to, their only defeat. A high scoring encounter is envisaged, but on paper, one which is too close to call. Hopefully it will be the brilliance of individuals on both sides that decides the outcome of this cracking looking Local Derby.

Rush: Neil Rock (C/W), Stephen Doheny, Conor Armstrong, Allan Eastwood, Shahid Iqbal, Subramanya Ramnathpur, Daniel Coffey, Prashanth Viswanath, Conor Mullen, Alex Neary & Aaron McGuire.