A hard fought victory against Leinster in the Premier League on Sunday puts Merrion in a position to challenge for league honours. With Pembroke and Balbriggan both losing over the weekend there are now three teams bunched at the top of the table.
The scorecard will show that having suffered an early batting collapse Merrion struggled to 169 all out thanks mainly to John Anderson [37] who held the innings together. The bowling attack then produced one of their best all round performances of the season led by Mikey O’Reilly [3/28] and Corne Botha [3/29] up front. Leinster are bowled out for 124 in 31 overs and a win by 45 runs is recorded.
But the real story of the innings is how in the first innings Merrion recovered from 136/9 as the last pair put on a partnership of 33 runs. Peter Forkin led the way with 32 not out, but it also needed Joe Hourihane [3], on debut, to hang in for over 10 overs, facing 36 balls in total. Runs for the last wicket are worth double and undoubtedly turned the match and gave the bowlers the opportunity to secure the victory.
The full scorecard of the match can be found at https://www.cricketleinster.ie/match-centre/match/2JMED8RHKX From now on every match is a cup final, starting with the home fixture against Pembroke next Saturday.
For the record the last wicket partnership between Forkin and Hourihane is the highest of the season in the Premiership in a winning cause. There is one bigger but it arose when the game was already lost and just delayed the final rites. This time it really mattered.
The weekend also saw a memorable century by Alan Parkinson on one of his regular forays out of retirement. Someone on Whats App asked it this was Parky’s first. But who can forget his 116 at Anglesea Road for the 3rd XI against Laois II in 2013 or his 106 v Knockharley in 2015, also at home and for the 3rds. And finally, there was that time in the Phoenix Park when he made 112 for the 3rd against Civil Service. Only 10 years ago in 2017. All three centuries contributed to Merrion victories. If anyone cannot remember Parky is available to take you through each innings in detail at Merrion bar.