Mid Season Review

The 1^st XI are currently lying second in the Premier League but with only four games played and five of the seven top teams lying within 25 points of Merrion’s current tally, there is still everything to play for. With no relegation this season it will be important that the team stays within striking distance of the Pembroke who top the table to retain interest in the league.

Perhaps of more immediate interest is that Merrion have got through to the semi-finals of the Irish Senior Cup where their opponents are Instonians. Getting this far has seen some of the best cricket played by the 1^st XI this season. A 10 wicket win against Donemana in the first round, followed by a competition record score of 419/6 against The Hills and a memorable win against old rivals Warringstown by 94 runs. The next round is away on the 14^th July.

The 2^nd XI are currently the most successful team in the club with an interest remaining in all three competitions they take part in. After six rounds they top the table in the premier 2^nd XI league with five wins and a tie. They are closely followed by Leinster 2^nd XI just five points behind. They are also top of their section in the Tillain T20 Cup, with three wins from three. With Home games this weekend and next against Wexford and Sandyford their aim must be to qualify with a round to spare. And finally, next weekend they have a SF clash with Malahide 2nd XI in the Senior 2 Cup. A busy schedule indeed.

There are mixed results for the remaining teams in Open Competitions. The 4^th XI are perhaps best placed and are lying third in D7 after four rounds, still unbeaten. The 5^th XI, with nine games played [four more than their nearest rivals], appears to be in greatest danger of relegation. The 3^rd XI looks to be in a fight with Phoenix 2^nd XI, Adamstown and Wexford to avoid the single relegation spot in Division 4. The rest are mid-table.

With games against the section leaders still to play, both the 4^th and 6^th XI have outside chances of qualifying for T20 finals. Without being completely out of contention, the 3^rd, 5^th and 7^th XIs have perhaps too much to do to get through to the finals.

On the Womens front the 1^st XI is currently lying third but a long way behind run-away leaders Pembroke. Indeed with seven teams in the league with either three or two wins recorded, the battle to avoid relegation is likely to be very tight this year. Victory over second placed Clontarf last week was an important win for the team. In the Senior Cup Merrion have a Semi-Final clash with Phoenix in the Park on the 16^th July to look forward to.

The newly promoted 2^nd XI are holding their own in the 2^nd Division and are currently mid-table and the 3^rd XI are a somewhat misleading second in Division 4 [there are a dearth of result cards submitted]. The 2^nd XI are also still in the cup but have a difficult home tie against league leaders Rush next week. And finally, the 3^rd XI have their SF outing v Terenure away on 10^th July.