Merrion recorded their first Senior Open competition victory of the season on Sunday 8th September when the 2nd XI defeated Civil Service IIs in the Senior II Cup. On their way to the title Merrion defeated Knockharley by 91 runs in the first round. This was followed by an eight wicket win over North Kildare II. Clontarf II were the opponents in the QFs and a home draw saw Merrion reach 268 ao, their highest total of the campaign. In the end they ran out comfortable winners by 170 runs.
Another home draw in the SF against Malahide II and another 200 run total. This time Merrion reached 234/7 in 50 overs and came out winners by 54 runs.
The final, again at Anglesea Road, was against Civil Service II. Having lost the toss a strong all round bowling performance resulted in CS being bowled out for 137 in the 38th over. Half centuries by Daniel Forkin and Chirag Poddar saw Merrion home by eight wickets.
In all 22 players took part in the cup campaign. Only four players took part in all five games – Peter Forkin [C], Seb Dijkstra, Niranjan Shankar and Sean Stanton.
Stanton was top run scorer with 132 runs at an average of 26.40. Two other players made over 100 runs, Shankar 110 at an average of 36.67 and Daniel Forkin with 102 at an average of 51.
On the bowling front Daniel Forkin took 10 wickets at 14.2, closely followed by Dijkstra with nine at 13.67.
The outstanding bowling performance was Andrew Doheny’s 5/25 against North Kildare and the highest individual score was 92 by Muhammed Sinan against Knockharley.
