Munster Reds v Clontarf

(D/L) On a day when batting was difficult on an unpredictable pitch the difference between the two teams was not, surprisingly, down to which team’s batsmen coped best with the conditions but rather which team’s bowlers were more consistent.

This fact is best illustrated by Munster Reds bowler David Gash’s 2nd and 3rd overs during Clontarf’ innings. Gash followed his second over maiden with a 9 ball 3rd over which contained 3 front-foot no balls, 2 wicket-taking deliveries which didn’t count as the respective batsmen were on free hits and a dropped catch.

Earlier in the day Munster, having won the toss and elected to bat, compiled a competitive score of 167 with the key partnership being 72 for the 2nd wicket between skipper Mike Martin (55) and Stephen Hickey (39). Santosh Kulkarni was the other main contributor with a quick-fire 23 off 15 balls, including two sixes, in the last 5 overs of the innings. Morrisey, Reid & Randall were the pick of the Clontarf attack with figures of 3 for 30 off 9, 1 for 25 off 8 and 1 for 16 off 6 respectively.

With rain threatening throughout Clontarf’s innings it was always likely that the match would be decided by Duckworth/Lewis. Clearly this was in the mind of the Clontarf openers who took advantage of some wayward Munster bowling to put 36 on the board after the first 6 overs. Dom Rigby was the main contributor to the Clontarf total of 93 for 2 in 21.4 overs which proved to be enough of a total to win by 28 runs under the D/L system as the weather finally closed in to end proceedings.

But 30 extras conceded by the Munster bowlers tells its own tale, with only Simon Willis with 1 for 8 off 4.4 overs providing the accurate bowling to trouble the ‘Tarf top order.

North County v Phoenix

Phoenix's nightmare start to the season continued as their under-strength team was brushed aside by an equally under-strength North County at Balrothery.

After winning the toss, Phoenix quickly crumpled to 44 for 7. Skipper Rory Flanagan departed on the 7th ball of the innings following a kamikaze run and the remainder of the top of the batting was simply blown away by Denver De Cruz (2 for 17), John Mooney (2 for 24) and Edward Richardson (2 for 16). Corrie Dickeson (21) and Richie McDonald (15*) lifted the score to 70 before Dickeson drilled Duane Harper (2 for 9) to Mooney and the rest of the innings quickly folded to leave Phoenix all out for 77 in the 28th over.

Batting as if he had a train to catch Sean O'Conner treated much of the Phoenix bowling with disdain until he gloved Dave Langford-Smith to keeper Jonty Wardell for 28. Adrian Murphy (29*) then carried on the carnage and the target was reached in the 14th over for the loss of 3 wickets. Only DLS (2 for ll from 6 overs) will have bothered to check his bowling figures.

YMCA vs Railway Union

Yet another quick finish in a season of quick finishes. YM elected to bat on a slow, slightly uneven pitch (there were mutterings about a broken roller) surrounded by a lush, uncut square. Trent Copeland who was swinging the ball away and cutting the odd one back, took two wickets in the first over, with only 3 runs on the board.

Johnny Harte , who was always on the look-out for quick singles made 23. Paul Beacroft compiled a sensible 18, despite dizziness. The rest were nowhere as YM subsided to 74 all out and Railway batted before tea. Copeland bowed his 9 overs for just 17 runs (eight of those off his last). Mohammed Tariq took two for 18 off his six; Gourav Singh finished off the innings very briskly with his ripping off-spin with 3-10 off his for overs.

Kenny Carroll opened as if he was in a hurry to get finished and chased everything wide of the wicket, saving about half-a dozen extras in the process. he also contrive to run one short as well. He made 19 while the left-handed Tom Fisher anchored the innings with a not out 41. Beacroft ( 5-2- 14-0) and Adam Rice (4-0-11-0) who opened pretty well. Refreshed by tea, Railway polished off the remaining runs and  at 3.40 pm the teams were wondering what to do in the evening sunshine.

The Hills v Merrion

The Hills lost the toss and struggled to 65 all out off 25.5 overs. Only Mike Baumgart (17) and Mark Dwyer (13) made double figures, with Extras top-scoring with 18! Matt Petrie took 4/19 off 8.5 overs, Tiktish Patel 3/7 off 6 and Nick Curran 2/16 off 9.

Merrion took 14.1 overs to get the runs, finishing on 69/2. John Anderson made 27* and Rory Allright 21 off 20 balls.