The final round of matches before the halfway mark in the season takes place this weekend. YMCA are the current leaders but really there is little to choose between the four teams with four wins each at the top of the table. YMCA [v Pembroke] and The Hills [v Phoenix] look the most likely to start the run in with five wins under their belts. YMCA have stung together a series of good results lately and although Pembroke won last week they made heavy weather against a much depleted Merrion side. The Hills have lost two in a row in the league but still should be too strong [even with Max Sorensen missing] for Phoenix who have only one win so far this season.
The winner of the match between North County and Merrion may well provide a third team with five victories. Merrion will welcome back Brett Thompson, Tyrone Kane and Ben Ackland but will be without Dom Joyce [injured] and John Anderson [who is on international duty along with John Mooney]. It should be a close game between two evenly matched sides.
Leinster’s win against Phoenix last weekend has meant that there is now clear water between the bottom two teams [Leinster and Phoenix] and the rest. But Railway have not been in good form of late and Leinster, buoyed by their win over Phoenix, will be hoping to spring a surprise. With Kevin O’Brien missing for the match on international duty [as well as for an extended period in the West Indies], Railway will want to win this one to make sure they are not dragged down into a relegation battle later in the season.
In Division II there is really little to play for at the top of the league. Clontarf appear to be unstoppable in their procession to the league title, and Merrion IIs are not likely to be able to halt their progress. Terenure are also well clear in second place and with their batting line-up should get the better of Malahide. Rush are the only team in with a realistic shout of getting in the promotion shake up but to do so they will probably have to win six of their remaining seven matches [starting with Balbriggan tomorrow] and hope that Terenure slips up somewhere. Leinster IIs do not have a match [and will no doubt be glad of the break].
Teams for the weekend [as known]
Terenure [v Malahide] T Williamson [c], T Fisher, D van Zyl, R Lawrence, B Hoey, E Ahmed, T Lynch, M Hoey, U Jehanjir, J Smith, K Brennan.
Merrion [v North County] B Ackland [c], K Beasley, B Thompson, T Kane, D Watkins, P Blakeney, J Blakeney, S McDonald, S Morrissey, A N Other
Merrion II [v Clontarf] C O’Donoghue [c], P Tice, N Brown, H Kennedy, A O’Brien, R Ensor, R Bridge, R Walsh, A Ragavan, N Kenny, A N Other.
Phoenix [v The Hills] C Kelly [c], M Ahmed, S Ali, R Jaggels, D Magala, C Dickeson, T Anders, A Leonard, B Adams, S Davis, S Raza.
The Hills [v Phoenix] N Shaukat [c], L Clinton, P Byrne, J Clinton, N Pretorius, J Andrews, C McLoughlin, T Murphy, H McDonnell, M Dwyer, M Baumgart.