DUBLIN UNIVERSITY OFF TO FLYING START IN DISTRICT CUP (MAY 13TH)

A Rory Betley led Dublin University prevailed over South Leinster tonight at College Park to get their 2026 campaign off to the perfect start despite a spirited chase.

A wet start to the day halted Trinity’s progress but when they eventually got started they wasted no time in setting about the South Leinster bowling. Macdara Cosgrave contributed 17of the first 20 in just over 2 overs to get his team going before falling to Abhay Tipnis. A period followed where South Leinster were able to gain some traction, reducing Trinity to 57/3 after 7 overs, Srihan Karpe the man to pick up the wickets.

From there it was the Rory Betley show, he took over proceedings, blasting the ball to all parts on his way to 84 from just 43 balls including 7 sixes. When Betley fell it was left to Donncha Tucker and Mikey O’Reilly to put the icing on the cake for their side as they guided their side to 169/5, after DL South Leinster were left 171 for victory.

The chase started strongly for South Leinster, having sustained the loss of Bruce Whaley early for 7, Luke Horgan and Sebastian Dijkstra put on 67 inside 7 overs to give their side a chance. Horgan contributing the majority before falling for 38. From there Dijkstra fought on valiantly bringing up his 50 off 30 balls including 3 sixes. 

However the total from Betley’s earlier onslaught proved to much for South Leinster as Trinity held their nerve to win by 22 runs. Yash Balasubramaniam was the pick of the bowlers with 2/29 while Mikey O’Reilly finished his spell with the tidy figures of 1/18.