RSA Division 6
2013 Champion - Railway Union 4
Predicted 2013 Champion - Merrion 4 (2nd)
2011-13 Top run scorer: Vikas Dhiman (Merrion) 775 runs at 43.06
2011-13 Top wicket taker: Sean McCann (Rush) 50 wickets at 14.54
Division 6 presents a bit of a problem for someone wishing to pen a thousand words on the exciting prospects for the forthcoming season. Nothing much has changed from last year!
There are only two differences in personnel, with Greystones 1 going up to be replaced by Sandyford 1, and Knockharley 1 coming up from below. So will anything change? Let's have a look.
The finishing places for 2013 are probably a good place to start, so North Kildare 2 are first up. 8th place in 2013 wasn't much to write home about, and the vagaries of league re-organisation meant they weren't relegated. Things are on the up in North Kildare, but the same can be said for all the other teams in the league. They don't have a winning record against any of the other teams they have previously played, and it could be another difficult season. However, Mark Topping's work as Head Coach is paying off, and they may do a bit better than expected.
The same could be said for Phoenix 3. Good coaches, improving, etc, etc. There have been a lot of ins and outs in the Park over the winter, and nobody (least of all Phoenix) will have much idea of how those ins and outs will balance out. There is one evident truth though - they will be playing against the same sides as last year. Another 7th place, to go with 7th in 2013 and 5th in 2012.
The record isn't stuck, but the tune is remarkably similar. Rush seem to be emerging from a quiet period in the club's history. But.... no winning records against the other teams, not much changing within the club (apart from youth players getting better). They were 6th in 2012, 6th in 2013, and..... Well, you can guess the rest.
Longford 1 were drawn the short straw in 2013. A vacancy emerged in the Division, and Longford took it, despite new clubs normally being entered in the lower reaches of competitive cricket. They grabbed their chance though, and remarkably finished 5th. They will be more savvy this year, and have a much bigger squad to work with, as well as the addition of a 2nd team. Another year of consolidation, but no reason why they can't improve a place to 4th.
Castleknock are in a similar vein to Longford. New(ish), and slowly improving. They were 7th in 2012, and 4th last year. They have good records against Longford, Rush, Phoenix and North Kildare, and will fancy their chances against Knockharley and Sandyford as well. A top 3 place in the offing.
Knockharley are the main unknown. 4th and 2nd in Division 7 in the last two seasons, they thoroughly deserved promotion. The club is rapidly improving, and the feeling is that they should hold their own. A guide would be that in the last three meetings against North Kildare 2, they have won two and lost one. 5th place maybe?
That just leaves 2nd and 1st to allocate. Sandyford 1 didn't have the best of seasons last year. But they have pedigree, and were 2nd in this league two years ago. The main problem for the club this year will be the loss of Marlay Park for most of July as Longtitude sets up camp on the outfield. That will be their only problem, and a 2nd spot will be the result.
That just leaves the 2013 champions. Who we think will also be the 2014 champions. Railway Union 4 couldn't be promoted as their 3rd team are blocking the way. Despite a good few player movements in and out of Park Avenue, there should be enough quality for the Division 6 trophy to be heading back to Sandymount.
Railway travel to Longford in the first match, this Sunday, whilst both Railway/Sandyford clashes are in August.