Two sixes in the final over, including one of the last ball, from Bobby Gamble which brought up his 50, gave YMCA an incredible 2-wicket win over North County at Inch.
Billed as the tie of the round, the meeting of North County and YMCA in a crucial IBI Corporate Finance Group A tie on Saturday certainly didn’t disappoint.
In a crunch clash, principally to determine who will play Premier League cricket in the second half of the season, Eddie Richardson (70) and his captain, Jonno Andrews (72), put on 128 for the fourth wicket as County compiled an imposing total of 276/7 of their 50 overs.
James Parkinson bowled really well for his 3 for 47 and Harry Tector also took three wickets, his ten overs going for 45 runs.
Despite Richardson taking 3-44 including the key wickets of Tim Tector, who batted superbly for his 53, and Fionn Hand, who hit a gritty 35. It was Bobby Gamble (50 off 40 balls, 3x4, 2x6) who proved the hero taking his side home.
It was a special match, that ebbed and flowed throughout the day. At various points each side that they had won and lost the match. That was before Gamble rolled the dice one last time and finished the match in style.
In Group A’s other matches, The Hills won the battle of the top two, defeating Malahide by 44 runs. Half-centuries from Joey Carroll (62), Mark Donegan (53) and Daya Singh (51) added up to 247/8 for The Hills. Despite Anish Desai’s 74 and 54 from Greg Ford, Malahide couldn’t chase it down with Devender Ranolia the pick of The Hills’ bowlers.
Full card here
Phoenix had an expected victory over Railway Union. Matt Lunson taking 6-31 off his nine overs as Railway were restricted to 109 all out. Opener Benjamin Beecroft hit 60 off 43 as Phoenix cruised home inside 17 overs.
Card here
In Group B on Saturday, Merrion maintained their 100% record with a comprehensive 7-wicket victory over second placed Leinster at Observatory Lane. Youngster Peter Forkin, making his senior bow, returning figures of 5-15 off his six overs. Scorecard here
Pembroke defeated Rush by four wickets to move into third place above Balbriggan and leave those two sides to play next week for the right to play in the Premier League after the split.
Nathan McGuire (73) and Subby Ramnathpur (70) helped Rush post 276, however a century from Theo Lawson (107), assisted by 64 from Shaheen Khan proved the difference in the end for Pembroke.
Card here
In the final game in Group B, Clontarf defeated Terenure by 8-wickets. Ropu Islam took 3-17 in eight overs as Terenure were bowled out for 133 before Macalister Wright struck 48 to see his side home comfortable. See card here
IBI Corporate Finance Leinster Senior League Cup Group A
North County v YMCA, Saturday May 18th, Inch
North County 276/7 (J Andrews 72, E Richardson 70; H Tector 3-45, J Parkinson 3-47)
YMCA 281/8 (T Tector 53, B Gamble 50*R Anders 40; E Richardson 3-44, A Sheridan 3-50)
YMCA won by 2 wickets
Full card here