Over the weekend most of the matches in D1 went according to form. With the sunny weather, teams batting first were able to post high scores [three over 300] but only Pembroke chasing managed a really tight finish. Railway defended the lowest first innings score of 231 by a margin of 56 against The Hills.
This was also probably the most important match of the day in terms of the twin objectives of trying to win the league or avoid relegation. Railway’s win, combined with losses for the three teams below them, Pembroke, Leinster and Phoenix, means that they have opened up a 50 point gap on the second relegation place. Their ‘middle of table’ presence is emphasised by the fact that they are also 50 points away from YMCA who lead the table. The defeat for The Hills mean they drop further off the race for the Championship.
Four teams are above the median point and are the most likely to be in the shake up at the end of the season. The Hills have dropped quickly from first place and alongside North County are just over one win [with full bonus points] behind second placed Merrion. YMCA are a further three points ahead. So plenty to play for with a tight finish to the league a real prospect [unlike last year where Leinster were well out in front at this point].
The two teams that currently occupy the bottom two places, Leinster and Phoenix, are not only short of wins but also of bonus points. Neither got any over the weekend [while Pembroke managed 5] and it means that both need not only to beat Pembroke [and Phoenix also to win against Leinster] but they must do better against the teams higher up in the league. Pembroke at 6th have an extra win and 33 points over 7th placed Leinster. By no means safe but at least they have some breathing space.
Next weekend could well prove critical for both ends of the leagues with two groupings of matches involving the four top teams and the four bottom teams.
In D2, there was confirmation, if any was still needed, that Clontarf will be the D2 winners. With five games to go they now have a 55 point lead over Terenure [who lost to Rush on Saturday] and are presumably now hoping for further success in the RSA Irish Senior Cup to keep interest alive for the remainder of the season. Rush have been in erratic form this year – losing to Merrion II and Balbriggan – but pulling off comprehensive wins against Trinity, Malahide and now Terenure. Malahide are the middle team [with a game in hand] they are 31 points ahead of Balbriggan in 7th place. Not completely safe but would need a very bad run of results to be involved in relegation skirmishes.
Leinster II’s win against Merrion have given them a lifeline [and dented Merrion II’s hopes of staying up] but it is difficult to see them having the means to struggle out of the relegation zone. So D2 in all probability comes down to a simple battle between Balbriggan and Merrion II for the second relegation spot. Bonus points will be important and Balbriggan cannot afford to slip up against Leinster II, but in all likelihood it will be the ‘head to head’ between the two sides that will decide things. This is scheduled for the 31st August [so a while to wait yet].