Whether it is counted a meteorological or simply a statistical coincidence but once again the first round of the Irish club competitions sees the start [return of] the rainy season. Half the RSA Irish Senior Cup matches were abandoned, most without a ball being bowled. The RSA national Cup fared no better, although here the outcomes were decided by bowl outs.
Never daunted, the draw for the next round of the Senior Cup has taken place and is set out below. The next round is on 8th June with replays of the unfinished first round matches to take place as agreed between the clubs or on the reserve date, Friday 24th May.
The Regulations for the RSA National Cup provide that the first round matches be decided by a bowl out in the event that a result cannot be reached during the day. This has meant that many fancied teams will exist the competition without having a real opportunity to participate. This may be something that needs to be revisited nest year.
It is small consolation then [especially to Balbriggan and North Kildare, who lost their bowl outs to Muckamore and St Johnston respectively, that Leinster won the bowls 3/2 with Malahide, Dundrum and Mulingar all progressing through to the next round.
On the field there was a comfortable win for Rush against Templepatrick [nine wickets] and the narrowest victory by Civil Service over Newbuildings [one wicket].
Details of the days play [as much as there was] and of the draw for the next round are contained in the Press Release from Cricket Ireland below.
The weather wreaked havoc on the first round of the RSA Irish Senior Cup with eight of the scheduled 16 ties falling foul to the elements.
All five scheduled games in the North West failed to get finished - indeed only Coleraine managed to get onto the field at all. They were struggling on 25 for 2 after 12 overs when a hail shower saw their game with 2010 champions Merrion abandoned.
The winners of that game will host North Down, who overcame Leinster at Rathmines thanks to a 78 from in-form opener Johnny Terrett, and off-spinner Marty Moreland who took 4 for 22.
CSNI ousted 1998 winners Strabane in the last over thanks to an entertaining cameo from Wayne Horwood - their reward is an away trip to either Bready or three time competition winners Lurgan.
2011 champions Waringstown will have home advantage over Bonds Glen in their replay - if they emerge from that unscathed, then they face a clash with either the 2000 winners Donemana, who must overcome a tricky away day tie at Terenure after their game was called off at The Holm.
Holders The Hills won a tight game against Instonians, with Irish internationals Max Sorensen and Andrew White both hitting half centuries. The Hills now face NCU league champions CIYMS, who overcame Glendermott by 6 wickets thanks to an unbeaten half century from Ireland A international Chris Dougherty.
Lisburn and YMCA didn't make it onto the field and the winners of that game will host Pembroke, who recorded a convincing 7 wicket win over Creevedonnell - Richard Hastie and Ryan Hopkins each claiming three wickets apiece.
Fox Lodge made the long journey to Cork Harelquins and came away with a 112 run win. Dean McCarter (holder of the highest individual score in NW cricket and elder brother of Gloucestershire player Graeme) top scored with 74 as they made 232 for 7. That proved 112 too many for Harlequins despite the best efforts of Rory O'Keefe who struck five sixes in an entertaining 55. Leg spinner Jason Milligan had the excellent analyis of four wickets for just five runs.
The Ballymagorry side may face Munster opposition again as they await the winners of the postponed Carrickfergus versus Cork County clash.
There was no play possible at The Meadow so Downpatrick will now have to travel to Park Avenue to face Kevin O'Brien's Railway Union side. The winners of that tie will entertain North County who beat Brigade by six wickets at Balrothery. Eddie Richardson claimed 4 for 31 as Brigade were dismissed for 161, while skipper Ciaran Garry saw his team home with an undefeated 54.
Clontarf ran out convincing winners at home to Ballymena, with Leinster Lightning batsman Bill Coghlan (the leading run scorer in the LCU in 2012) top scoring with 94. He shared a fourth wicket partnership of 142 with Castle Avenue skipper Eoghan Delany who scored 73.
Ballymena were never in the hunt being dismissed for just 95 - Clontarf wicket-keeper Robert Forrest claiming a remarkable seven dismissals - four catches and three stumpings. Clontarf, who have only appeared in the final of the competition once (1990), will play the winners of the postponed Eglinton verus Phoenix match.
The second round games will all take place on Saturday June 8.
RSA Irish Senior Cup 2nd round draw: