Luke Clinton was the hero of the hour taking 7 for 13 as The Hills blew North County away for 67 and secured a ten-wicket victory in the North Fingal derby at The Vineyard.
Taking two wickets in three separate overs, Clinton’s spell of five overs, two maidens, seven wickets for 13 runs, decimated the County batting card as they were all out in 19.2 overs.
It was a remarkable period of line and length bowling, Clinton is not the quickest bowler in Leinster cricket, with enough movement back in towards the batsmen off the pitch to threaten them.
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It could all have been so different though. Despite the early loss of McGovern, Jamie Grassi (29) and Yassar Cook (11) built a partnership of 42 in 11 overs. Grassi, in particular, played some typically attacking shots in his three boundaries and a clipped six to square leg.
However, when he skied a Cian Nulty delivery to Greg Lamb at mid-off North County were 45/2 and the Luke Clinton show began.
Clinton bowled three of his victims but did require a stunner of a catch from his skipper Tomas Rooney-Murphy at slip to dismiss Andrew Sheridan.
Daya Singh returned to the attack to take the final wicket and on another day his figures of 2-16 in 5.2 overs would have made more noise.
After a quick turnaround, Cormac McLoughlin-Gavin and Harry Archer set about chasing the modest target of 68 for The Hills.
Neither were truly troubled as they made their way to the target in 13.4 overs.
Both were watchful and careful not to take too many risks and give North County even a sniff of a chance. McLoughlin-Gavin did open his shoulders in the 12th over however, cutting a lovely shot through point for four, before smashing successive sixes over cow corner on his way to 35 not out. Harry Archer was there until the end too, carrying his bat 16 not out.
So, The Hills move to three wins from three and a massive match against Phoenix, who are two from two themselves, in the Park next Saturday. North County who have lost both their matches in Group A, are at home to Railway Union on May 4th in what is now a must-win game.
IBI Corporate Finance Leinster Senior League Cup
The Hills v North County, Sunday April 28th, The Vineyard
North County 67 a/o 19.2/50 overs (J Grassi 29; L Clinton 7-13, D Singh 2-16, C Nulty 1-19)
The Hills 69/0 13.4/50 overs (C McLoughlin-Gavin 35*, H Archer 16*)
The Hills win by 10 wickets