Jack Carty pulled off a miraculous victory for the 1sts against Phoenix 1 but his heroics wasn’t enough to secure a semi-final spot in the Alan Murray T20 competition. While our 5ths secured a 4-wicket victory, there were losses for 4th and 6ths.
MERRION 1 VS PHOENIX 1
An excellent all-round performance by Jack Carty was the difference between the two sides as Merrion responded to their disappointment of the previous weekend [failing to defend 292 abasing league leaders Balbriggan] with a hard-fought win over Phoenix.
The victory by 20 runs did not look likely earlier in the game. Batting first Merrion lost four early wickets and at one stage were 37/4. A fifth-wicket partnership between Carty [53] and Franco Marais [54*] brought the score over the 100 mark and thereafter Marais used the inning along with the lower order to reach a defendable 178/8.
But despite the batting recovery, the score still looked sub-par. Hugh Kennedy made an early breakthrough but gradually Phoenix got on top and was halfway to the Merrion total for the loss of only two wickets with plenty of overs in hand. But the introduction of Carty [4/17] with good support from Tom Stanton [2/30] and Swapnil Modgill [2/34] turned the tide. The Merrion effort was helped by some really good catches in the deep.
With just two games left before the halfway point in the Premier League, Merrion is just about on the right side of the fold with three wins in five games. They trail Balbriggan [5/5] and YMCA [4/5] and have still to play Pembroke [3/5]. Still all to play for.
MERRION 1 vs CIVIL SERVICE 1
On Thursday, Merrion clashed with Civil Service knowing that they needed to win by a big margin to boost their run rate and remain in contention for a semi-final spot. And they did live up to the billing, mauling Civil Service by 8 wickets. Bowling first, CS was restricted to 100, thanks to a disciplined bowling display. Amish Sidhu (4/16), Tom Stanton (2/3), and Max Sorensen (2/17) were among the wickets. The chase was over in quick time, courtesy of Jack Carty (51*) and John Anderson (30).
MERRION 5 VS SLIEVE BLOOM 1
A tricky target of 170 didn’t trouble the 5ths as they won by 4 wickets. Himanshu Sharma (50) was once again among the runs, and he was ably supported by Mark Little (28) and Killian O’Flynn (23). Earlier, Slieve Bloom was restricted to 169, C Suttraway being the star, scalping 4/22 off his 8 overs.
MERRION 6 VS HALVERSTOWN 1
MERRION 4 VS BAGENALSTOWN 1
TEAM OF THE WEEK –
