With the sumemr finally arriving, more cricket matches are being played and early season form is easier to see. Perhaps what is worth noting so far this year is how well the 1st XIs of clubs are doing. A number of open divisonis are being topped by the first teams of clubs - Balbriggan [D3], North Kildare [D4], Knockharley [D7], Greystons [D12] and Ring Common [D13]. There are also strong showing by Laois [D3], Sandyford [D6], Dundalk [D8] and Swords [D10]. It will be intersting to see if the teams from the larger clubs can stage a comeback when school and university exams are over.
As always there were many close games [and some rather one-sided]. One of the tighest games must have been Merrion VII succssful defence of a first innings total of 50 against Clontarf VI [to win by five runs]. The highest aggregate score and widest margin of victory was Laois against Phoenix II. Laois scored 296/8.
There were no centuries last wseekend though three 50s in the one innings for Civil Service [N Joshia 77, G Seghal 67 and M Siddique 51] showed a good all round performance in reaching 260 against The Hills II who made 229 in reply.
There were three 'five-fors' the best being I Singh's 5/7 for Malahide IV in a win over Wicklow II. Schoolboy Tom Stanton achieved his first five wicket haul in senior cricket with a 5/22 for Merrion III to help secure a win against N County III. And finally, N O'Callaghan got 5/10 for Dundalk in a close win against Civil Service II in D9.
Perhaps the most unusual occurance of the weekend was the sight of 10 bowlers turning the arm over for Adamstown II agaisnt Dundrum II. A match that Adamstown went on to win.