Rather unsurprisingly, in April, a considerable chunk of the weekend’s programme - across the province - was afflicted by the weather but fortunately only a handful, mainly on Saturday, were vanquished by a combination of the overnight rain and incessant showers.
In the games - from the top to bottom of the ladder - fortunate enough to dodge the cloudburst, it was an attritional tussle in early-season conditions which sees pitches moist, ball dominating bat and runs having to be earned rather than acquired.
Low-scoring affairs were repeated across the board but there were exceptions, however. A cursory glance down the weekend’s results and a couple stand-out. One in particular was the Division Two run-fest between Balbriggan and Dublin University, where the hosts took full advantage of losing the toss - and being stuck-in, something that was inevitably common at the weekend - to rack up 323/6. Farrukh Mohammed and Adrian Harper both reached three figures before visiting skipper Josh Tazman-Jones scored a century of his own, defying the supposition that runs are harder to come by at this time of year. Ultimately, Balbriggan’s imposing total proved to be beyond Trinity’s reach, despite their valiant efforts.
Normality for this time of year was maintained elsewhere, however, not least at Claremont Road where two Division One games were played at the weekend.
Firstly, YMCA continued their supremacy over North County as they made it six wins in succession against Saturday’s opponents. The home side were largely indebted to the decisive contributions of Jack Tector as they recovered from a shaky start to begin their season with a 20-run win on D/L.
The Ireland U19 captain scored a half-century before taking three late wickets to ensure John Mooney’s 86 was in vain and that the points stayed in Sandymount. Tector, coming in at number six, helped steady the ship after YM slumped to 68/4 after being inserted, before accelerating either side of a rain break alongside Robbie Garth as the pair put on 90 for the sixth wicket as North County were set a target of 201 in 46 overs.
Debutant Tom Fisher was patient for 11 but became one of two wickets for Mooney, he returned to dismiss Albert van der Merwe for 35, and the departure of Alan Lewis and Simmi Singh in quick succession left YM floundering. Opener Aaron Bailey made 20, but became Tim Affleck’s third scalp before Tector and Garth convened to swing the momentum in YM’s favour.
The visitors never managed to wrestle back the ascendancy as Singh then accounted for their top-order with three quick wickets. Ciaran Garry and Nathan Rooney managed to stick around in support of Mooney, who was going through the gears at the other-end, before he contributed to his own downfall with 50 required off five overs. Attempting to reverse-sweep Tector, in his first over, Mooney missed a straight one and all but ended North County’s hopes of victory.
Twenty-four hours later, the used Claremont Road pitch proved a more strenuous proposition for batting as Merrion held their nerve to beat Pembroke by just three wickets, chasing down the victory target of 77. The Foxes, who were using YMCA’s ground as a stopgap with their own currently unfit for use, crumbled from the moment captain Theo Lawson was run-out in the first over of the match as they never recovered from a disastrous start.
Merrion did, however, make hard work of what seemed like a straightforward chase but Dom Joyce ensured there would be no slip-up by the guests as he scored an unbeaten 21.
At Castle Avenue, Clontarf eased to a six-wicket victory over Terenure thanks to 77 from Andrew Poynter and an unbeaten half-century from teenager Colin Currie. Alex Cusack also chipped in with 39 as the hosts strolled across the line with plenty to spare. Batting first, Terenure managed 202, an innings that was held together by 64 from debutant Stephen Moreton. James Smith boosted the visitors with some late-order runs but given Clontarf’s batting strength, it was never going to be enough.
In the weekend’s other top-flight fixture, Railway Union issued a statement of intent with victory over defending champions The Hills at the Vineyard. Although the hosts were devoid of the services of Max Sorensen and several other players, this was a significant scalp for the Park Avenue side on the opening weekend.
Conversely, it was the worst possible start to their title defence for the Skerries outfit, who were bowled out for 159 in reply to Railway’s 225, eventually slipping to a 66-run reversal on D/L. Once again, the visitors were indebted to a fine innings from Pat Collins, who was the mainstay with 76 as wickets fell around him.
Having failed with the bat, Kevin O’Brien was on the wrong end of a counter-attack from Nic Pretorious, but once he and Cormac McLoughlin (45) departed, The Hills were left with an uphill task and O’Brien returned to pick up three wickets.
In Division Two, batting conditions weren’t as friendly in the Phoenix Park as they were in Balbriggan, where Phoenix overcame Rush by four wickets thanks to a fine all-round performance from Tom Anders. Having taken 3/18, he made an unbeaten 23 to see his side safely over the line. Meanwhile, Leinster’s trip south to face Cork County fell victim of the rain, as did the clash between Merrion II and Pembroke II at Anglesea Road.
It’s early days yet, but Railway Union and Clontarf take the spoils from the opening weekend as they sit pretty at the summit while Balbriggan top Division Two, on the basis that matches involving DU yield double points.