Email This Article To Someone!Pembroke Vs Leinster
Andrew Balbirnie's second ton in the space of three days was not enough to lead Pembroke to victory over Leinster in the Whitney Moore Section A encounter in Sydney Parade last Saturday.
Balbirnie's first senior ton for Pembroke was a spectacular effort, scoring 111 out of Pembrokes total of 185 before falling to Rob Miley. He dispatched the Leinster attack to all corners of the ground, with only the impressive left arm spinner George Dockerell (1-25), causing the Ireland A player any significant problems.
However, the lack of support from the other members of Pembroke top 6 ensured that the first innings total set was always going to be an achievable one. Carlos Braithwrite, the young West Indian pro, bowled with good pace and accuracy, taking 3 wickets for a very economical 12 runs off his 9.2 overs. Rob Miley (2-40), Hugh McDonnell (1-28) Anton Scholtz (1-30) and C.Byrnes (1-32) accounted for the rest of the Pembroke wickets.
As Leinster came out to bat, it was immediately obvious the approach Mark Jones was taking to his innings as he smashed 27 off 25 balls before falling to Bill Whaley (1-29). Calum Patterson fell shortly afterwards to Eastwood leaving Braithwrite and captain Scholtz at the crease with the scoreboard reading 31-2.
Graham McDonnell, Balbirnie and Pembroke pro Brooks gained no reward against the partnership as the two Leinster men looked comftorable in reaching their fifties, with Braithwrites powerful hitting down the ground almost removing Scholtz's head at one stage. The late introduction of leg spinner Andrew Leonard into the attack started posing more questions, and a short quicker one resulted in Braithwrite skying the ball high into the air to be caught easily, bringing his impressive days work to an end with figures of 3-12 and 63.
The Leinster middle order struggled against Leonard (2-23), with only Scholtz managing to pick the wrong'un. After Dockerell fell to him lbw, Lucas was lucky to survive on more than one occassion before the calm Scholtz struck the winning runs in the 45th over to lead his side to a six wicket victory and finish unbeaten on 73.
