A little later than normal we review the results of the weekend. In the RCD1 it was very much consolidation at the top with Clontarf, Phoenix and The Hills all winning. There were no upsets - though the games were certainly not one sided. Even in the case of The Hills v Cork, where the visitors were shot out for 86, the home side only managed a three wicket victory.
The match between YMCA and Clontarf at Claremont Rd was also closely contested, at least until John Mooney [50*] and Conor Kelly [36*] came together in the closing stages to take the game away from YMCA. With the increase in time demands on international and Leinster Lightning players [plus of course the wear and tear on the body], recruiting quality players without such commitments is looking like a good option for clubs. John Mooney has got Clontarf out of trouble more than once this season and is proving an invaluable addition to their squad.
Phoenix remain on top of the league table [though Clontarf have a game in hand] thanks to a four wicket win over Leinster. Joe Carroll and a good game for Leinster with a 50 and three wickets, but it wasn’t enough to stop Phoenix. Ari Karvelas [73*] had another important contribution with the bat and together with Thomas Anders [43] ensured Phoenix success.
At the other end of the table matters are becoming a little desperate. Although there are re-fixes to play, YMCA and Cork have still to record a win and Leinster are also being dragged into the relegation struggle.
Thomas Sheil in action for North County against Pembroke.
The final game between Pembroke and North County saw the former equalise the wins of the two sides with both taking up reasonably comfortable mid-table positions. It was a match in which only one player reached a half century [Thomas Sheil / 51] and even that in a losing cause. Five wickets between JJ garth [3/36] and Fiachra Tucker [2/22] took out the NC middle to late order and led directly to the victory.
The key match in D2 over the weekend was the encounter between Malahide and Merrion. Going into R6 neither side had lost in the league - though Merrion had more wins. But Merrion added to their dominant position in the league by securing an eight wicket victory. A solid bowling performance, spearheaded by Max Neville [3/14], held Malahide to 148/9 in their 50 overs. A couple of early wickets gave a moment’s hope to the home side, but once John Anderson [71*] and Jamie Brown [64*] had settled in there was only one result likely.
At the other end of the table Terenure and Railway faced off to see which one would achieve their first league win. In a game where the bowlers dominated, and no player scored a 50, Terenure eventually came out on top by 20 runs defending a total of 141. Between the two teams no less than ten bowlers were in the wickets - the best return being Muhammad Arshad [4/21] for Terenure.
The final game was the regular double pointer involving Trinity. This time Rush were the opponents and the students once again relied on their strong spin attack to give them a small score to chase. Will von Behr [4/17] was the most successfully but got good support from Josh Dascombe [3/15] and George Dockrell [2/25]. The resulting score of 115 was chased down for the loss of four wickets.
Turing briefly to the overall senior averages [league and cup for Division 1 & 2]. In terms of wickets, Tom Stanton [Merrion] has had a good start to the season with 19 wickets and also has the best average [10.11] and the lowest RPO [3.43] of those with 10 wickets or more. Ari Karvelas [Phoenix] has 14 wickets , closely followed by Joe Carroll [Leinster] with 13, Andrew Sheridan [North County] on 12 and Will von Behr [DU] on 11.
In the batting, Merrion’s John Anderson [383] and Jamie Brown [334] lead the way with averages over 100. Eddie Richardson [NC] has the third highest aggregate on 270.
Nicolaas Pretorius [Phoenix] is well in front on the wicket keeping with 14 dismissals [3s / 11c], nearly twice as many as the next on the list - Ian O’Herlihy [Leinster] on 8.
In terms of all rounders [and without doing any calculation re points, wickets or runs] there are no less than five players that figure in the top ten aggregates in two out of the above three categories - Nicolaas Pretorius from Phoenix [ninth in batting and top of wicket keeping], Mooney [7th in batting and bowling], Richardson [3rd batting and 6th bowling], Carroll [10th batting and 3rd bowling] and Kervelas [6th batting / 2nd bowling]. An interesting dominance of a relative small nubers of players, especially when you consider that Anderson, Brown, Dockrell, Josh Dascombe [DU] and Lynal Jansen [Rush] who also figure in the batting or bowling top ten woud also all be counted as all-rounders.