The Final Countdown

With just a few weeks left before the end of th4e season, both the Open and Womens 1^st XIs are competing for titles in their respective Premier Leagues. While that might have been expected of the Women’s team, the Open 1^st XI, under Sean Stanton, has exceeded expectations and regardless of what happens over the last few matches will have succeeded in remaining in contention under the final rounds of the competition.

But first congratulations to the Women for once again bringing home the all-Ireland T20 trophy, the fourth time in six years. For those who missed the game it was another convincing win for Merrion, this time against Holywood. Having lost the toss Merrion were asked to field first. A strong all round bowling performance [seven bowlers used in all] saw Holywood restricted to 124/5 in their 20 overs. Captain Niamh MacNulty led the way with 2/20 in her four overs. She was well supported by Julianne Morrissey who completed a very economical spell of 1/17.

When it came Merrion’s turn to bat there was no holding back. 17 runs were taken from the first over and with Bella Armstrong [48] scoring at nearly two runs per balls there was never any real pressure on the batting team. The innings target was passed in the 15^th over with no further loss of wickets. The not out bats were Annabel Squires [36*] and Rebecca Stockell [29*].

Full scorecard at https://live.nvplay.com/play/?tab=m_scorecard#m1e2d99ca-93e5-4e4c-94d3-bb36367fe4af

The team in the photo from left to right is:

Back row: Isobel Joyce, Julianne Morrissey [Claudia], Rebecca Stokell, Leah Paul, Annabel Squires, Isabel Light, Ally Boucher, Ashwi Manoj, Aoife Hayden,

Front row: Trudy Molins, Bella Armstrong, Niamh MacNulty, Sibha Bhoja, Aisling Lawlor.

Returning to the final rounds of the Premier League [Open]. Merrion’s win over Pembroke on Saturday means that with three rounds to play Merrion are currently second in the league, just 4 points behind Balbriggan. It is a three way race between Balbriggan, Pembroke and Merrion.

But first the well-constructed victory over Pembroke by six wickets. Pembroke won the toss and elected to bat first. But not for the first time over the past month, Merrion’s opening attack of Mikey O’Reilly [4/29] and Corne Botha [3/64]  made serious inroads into the batting reducing Pembroke to 44/5 at one point. As one would expect there was a fight back as Jack Tector [45] and Danny Hogan [37] brought the score to 125 before Seb Dijkstra made two critical interventions, bowling both batsmen. Once the breakthrough was made the opening bowlers returned to sweep away the tail to bowl Pembroke out for 166.

When it came their turn to bat, Merrion got off to the worst possible start with two wickets falling in the first over and Merrion losing their third at 30. But a century partnership between Stephen Doheny [92] and John Anderson [49*] brought the score within reach before skipper Sean Stanton [9*] joined Anderson to see Merrion home without any further loss of wickets.

 See scorecard at https://www.cricketleinster.ie/match-centre/match/L3YY9N6IQ3

With three matches to play the Premier Table looks like this

The remaining fixtures involving the top three:

29^th Aug                Balbriggan v Merrion

                                 Pembroke v Malahide

6^th Sept.                 Balbriggan v Pembroke

                                 Merrion v Railway U

12^th Sept                Pembroke v Leinster

                                 Merrion v Malahide

                                 Railway U v Balbriggan

Three teams can still win the title. This does not include Clontarf, in second place, as they have only one match remaining and cannot overhaul Merrion. Balbriggan and Pembroke with full points in their remaining two matches can reach 295 and 291 respectively and overtake Merrion’s current total. One victory in either of the two remaining matches or bonus points with the two chasing teams failing to get their full complement of points should also see Merrion home.

A win against Phoenix next Sunday would suit nicely rather than leaving anything to the final round game with Pembroke.

30^th Aug                Pembroke W1 v Malahide W1

                                 Phoenix W1 v Merrion W1

                                 Leinster W1 v Balbriggan W1

5^th Sept                 Balbriggan W1 v Clontarf W1

                                 Merrion W1 v Pembroke W1

For the other Womens teams mid-table finishes beckon.

In the Open Competitions, the 2^nd XI hopes of retaining their title have faded after four successive defeats. They are now in 7^th place with two rounds to go. This will be enough to protect them from relegation as only one 2^nd XI side is likely to be promoted from Division 4. They have also had the comfort of a Senior II Cup Trophy this season.

Sadly the remainder of the Open teams have had poor seasons.  The 3^rd XI can do nothing  at this stage to avoid relegation. With a few games still to play the 4^th XI could reach safety, but need at least a couple of wins and for other games to go in their favour. The 5^th XI have a very narrow window for escaping relegation but apart from a win in their last game would need the teams above and below them to fold completely and take no points in their remaining three games each. Last place in Division 15 beckons. And finally, Meriron 6^th XI are currently propping up the table but do have a couple of games in hand so there is a narrow window to avoid last place.

The one bright spot among the lower teams over the past couple of weeks has been some outstanding individual performances. Alan Parkinson scored a century, and then not to be outdone / inspired by the Parky innings [the reader can choose], Andrew Kay made his maiden century for the club. Perhaps more in line with the youth development programme in the club was a score of 95 last weekend by Brody Molins for the 6ths. If nothing else hopefully the final few weeks will see more of the younger players set down markers for next season.