School's Cricket League, Alf O Connell League Porterstown Park (Blanchardstown)

Wednesday, May 2nd

Colaiste Pobail Scoil Setanta (Phibblestown - Dublin 15) 59-7

Drimnagh Castle (Long Mile Road) 59-6.

Match Tied.

This was never going to be a high scoring game in Porterstown as damp outfield conditions meant boundaries were going to be rare.

Pobail Scoil Setanta won the toss and decided to bat first. The opening batsmen started well setting up a good partnership. Drimnagh Castle's bowlers then started to find their range and three wickets taken by Luke Kelly followed by a catch from Mehdi Hasan and a stumping by the wicket keeper Ben Biju slowed down Setanta's progress.

In the end some great batting from Ahmed Fazal brought the total to 59 runs.

59 runs seemed an achievable target for Drimnagh Castle to chase but when Shahzaib Malik took two wickets in the first over they were under pressure from the start.

Luke Kelly and Kevin George steadied the innings and allowed the runs to build. A couples of boundaries by Vaibhav Khatri made the target more realistic but excellent bowling again from Malik, Ahmed Fazal and Saud Qazi did not allow Drimnagh to take control.

Going into the last over Drimangh were still eiight runs off the target and a scramble run from David Sajan from the last ball secured a tie. Luke Kelly staying in for 20 overs and scoring 17 runs was vital as the Castle managed to equal Setanta's total.

A very enjoyable day was had by these two schools who have entered into the school's league this year for the first time.

It is also great to see this new playing facility in Dublin 15 being utilised by local schools Castleknock Community College, Colaiste Pobail Scoil Setanta, Castaheany, Castleknock, St Patrick's, St Mochta's and Mulhuddart National schools