An eventful weekend of league matches saw Clontarf consolidate their lead at the top of the table and Pembroke emerge as the most likely challenger. Clontarf had an easy nine wicket win over Merrion at Anglesea Road. Batting first the home side were all out for 101 with only Josh Doheny [39] and David Langford Smith [36] getting into double figures. Clontarf made the runs in the 13th over for the loss of Charles Wakim [44], with Bill Coghlan 40*.
Once again Daniel Solway saw Pembroke home with an undefeated 85 as they chased down The Hill's score of 233/9. Earlier the Pembroke spinners Fiachra Tucker [3/43], Paul Lawson [3/52] and JJ Garth [1/26] did the damage, despite 57 from Hamid Shah. In the second innings Lorcan Tucker [53] and Danny Hogan [44] provided good support as Pembroke came home by five wickets.
North County batted first at Claremont Road and made 235/9 thanks to half centuries from Jordan Willoughby [59] and Eddie Richardson [68]. Despite starts for the first six bats for YMCA no body went on to make a significant score and they were all out for 134. Adam Coughlan was the pick of the bowlers with 4/31. North County win by 101.
The final match between Phoenix and Railway Union provided Railway with their second win of the season and opened up a route for them to escape relegation. Phoenix batted first and made a disappointing 198/7 having been 93/2. Masud Ahmed [58] the main contributor. When Kenny Carroll was run out for 53 with around 100 runs still to get the Railway supporters must have been concerned that another match was about to slip away. But 40s from Adrian Murphy, Mohammad Tariq and Charity Fernando saw them home in the 49th over to win by there wickets.
The [unofficial] table looks something like this.
Club | P | W | L | NR | Pt |
Clontarf | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 163 |
Pembroke | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 147 |
The Hills | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 101 |
N County | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 99 |
Phoenix | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 96 |
Merrion | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 58 |
Railway U | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 58 |
YMCA | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 53 |
For those out and about today there are three Irish Senior Cup matches on offer [Merrion are already through to the semi-finals]. All three are at home but none will be easy for the Leinster sides. YMCA would seem to have the best chance against a CIYMS side that has not been all that successful in the Northern Premier League this season. North County [v Warringstown] and Phoenix [v Instonians] take on two of the strongest NCU teams. All matches start at 12.30.