Antalis Leinster Senior Cup Round 1

At Rathmines. Leinster 331-7 (60 Overs) (M.A.Jones 145; R.Miley 68) beat Pembroke 224 (49.1 Overs) (B.DeVos 57; M.Brownie 4-38) by 107 runs.

At Malahide. Malahide 328-8 (60 Overs) (A.Smith 67; S.Getkate 57; J.W.Pryor 55) v C.Y.M. 93-2 (25 overs) (D.Vaughan 49)

At Inch. Railway Union 288-6 (60 Overs) (T.Fisher 88; G.Singh 55*) v North County 197-5 (37 Overs) (R.Strydom 107; M.Tariq 3-44).

At Cabra. Old Belvedere 190 (57 Overs) (Yogesh 96; N.Shoukat 3-37; W.Akhtar 3-47) v Rush 128-3 (39 overs) (S.Gull 37* S.Iqbal 46*)

At Phoenix Park. Y.M.C.A. 338-8 (60 Overs) (S.R.McCready 122; E.Ahmed 66; J.Short 36; K.Meth 3-36) v Phoenix 231-7 (44.4 overs) (K.Meth 51; R.Flanagan 40; W.Armstrong 3-59).

Only one fixture in the opening round of the Antalis Senior Cup beat the elements, with a Mark Jones century helping Leinster to a 107 run win at home to Pembroke. The hard hitting opener compiled 100 of his score of 145 in boundaries - 19 fours and 4 sixes- and took just 95 balls to reach his hundred. Rob Miley made a more sedate 68, facing 127 deliveries and hitting 9 fours as Leinster racked up a formidable 331 for 7.

Despite being helped by the concession of 53 extras, including an incredible 43 wides, Pembroke could only manage 224. Ben De Vos top scored with a watchful 57 (126 balls-6 fours), while Alan Eastwood's 27 was the only other score of note. Matt Brownie (4-38) was the best of the Leinster attack.

The Railway Union versus North County tie is evenly poised with County requiring 92 runs off 23 overs, with 5 wickets in hand. Minus their four Irish internationals, Railway would have been delighted with their score of 288-6. New Zealander Tom Fisher hit 88, and Gaurav Singh an unbeaten 55. In reply North County were indebted to Reinhardt Strydom (107), who continues to press his case for international recognition. He faced just 64 balls for his century, and in the process lost no fewer than 4 balls in the nearby wood! Mohammed Tariq has taken 3-44, and much will depend on John Mooney and Dara Armstrong who are currently at the wicket when play resumes.

Rush have the advantage in their clash with Old Belvedere, needing 63 runs with 7 wickets in hand. The prolific Yogesh made a typically boundary laden 96 in a disappointing total of 190. Wasim Akhtar and Naseer Shoukat were the men who did the damage, each picking up three victims. In reply Shahid Iqbal (46*), and Sadat Gull (37*) helped Rush to 128/3 when play was halted. Still, given the unpredictability of cricket, anything is possible.

Malahide have clearly the upper hand in their game with CYM. Half centuries from Andy Smith, Shane Getkate, and John Pryor helped them to a formidable 328/8. In the 25 overs possible CYM reached 93 for 2, one of those wickets being Donal Vaughan, who made 49.

YMCA were the highest scorers of the day, compiling an imposing 338/8 versus Phoenix. Stuart Mc Cready made a superb 122, and was given good support by Ehsan Ahmed (66), and Jack Short (36). Despite the best efforts of Zimbabwean international Keegan Meth, Phoenix look to be on their way out. He followed up his 3-36 with a half century, and there were also a useful cameo from Rory Allwright (40). Warwick Armstrong has taken 3 wickets, but at a cost of 59 runs. Phoenix require a further 108 runs in the 15.2 overs which remain, but crucially have only 3 wickets in hand.