Merrion teams reach Final stages.

Merrion got off to something of a shaky start as adult competitions began just over a month past. Even up to a couple of weeks ago the league position of the various teams was not looking all that hopeful. But critical victories by 1^st XI against Pembroke [with the requisite number of bonus points achieved] and a strong finish to the league part of the campaign by the 2^nd XI saw both teams progress to the semi-finals.

To these have now been added the Womens 1^st XI who have made it through to the final [23^rd July in Sydney Parade] of the Womens Senior Cup after a memorable victory over Leinster. In one of the best run chases ever by the Womens 1sts, they overhauled Leinster’s score of 156/4 in the 19^th over.  Cecelia Joyce led the way with 72* but there was good support from all the top order bats.

Full match report on Cricket Leinster website.

https://www.cricketleinster.ie/news/merrion-ceil-final-spot-thanks-to-joyce-masterclass

And this was about as good as it could get. The other teams in the Open Competitions had been sacrificed by Cricket Leinster on the altar of competition numbers. So the 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th XIs all ended up playing in divisions well above their standard. Notwithstanding that some good individual victories were achieved.

The three scheduled games are:

Merrion 1^st Xi v North County            Sunday 18^th July at 14.00        Anglesea Road

Civil Service v Merrion 2^nd XI              Sunday 18^th July at 13.00        Phoenix Park

Pembroke W1 v Merrion W1             Friday 23^rd July                        Sydney Parade