A one hundred run partnership between Jack Carty and John Anderson laid the foundations for a comfortable 7-wicket victory for Merrion over YMCA in the Game of the Day at Claremont Road.
After Tom Stanton had bowled wonderfully for 3-17 off his 10 overs, including 5 maidens, Merrion faced few worries in chasing 207 on a batting track under clear blue skies.
YM captain Jack Tector won the toss and had no hesitation in choosing to bat first, something opposition captain Dom Joyce acknowledged he would have done himself had he won the toss.
Despite the favourable conditions YM couldn’t build any momentum or partnerships in their innings as Merrion chipped away with wickets at regular intervals.
Poonish Mehta (3-48) combined with Stanton through the middle overs as the vice tightened on YM.
Some fantastic late hitting from Parkinson (44), Shukla (37*) and Gamble (32) ensured YM recovered from 86/6 to post 206 for 8 off their 50 overs.
With 89 off the last ten overs and 53 off the last 5, it really was a late rally from the home side, but it never seemed likely to be enough for victory.
When Dom Joyce and Jack Carty put on 70, at the required run rate, for the first wicket the writing was on the wall for YM.
Both openers played some gorgeous shots as they built the innings. It took a little magic from Harry Tector to make the breakthrough.
Picking up on the run from point he ran Joyce out with a direct hit to the non-striker’s end. He enjoyed the celebrations but that simply brought Anderson out to partner Carty and they put on a century for the second wicket.
The shot making displayed by both was fantastic and they made runs all round the ground. Anderson showing soft hands reverse sweeping at times, smashing sixes to cow corner at others.
Tector made the breakthrough again trapping Carty (79) LBW. Anderson didn’t quite see it through either as Jarred Barnes nicked him out for 64, 14 runs short of the target.
It was then left to Tyrone Kane and Michael Lewis to guide Merrion home to what was indeed a comfortable 7-wicket victory with 3 overs to spare.
Mason Alexander LHW Financial Planning Premier League
At Claremont Drive;
YMCA CC 206/8 50 overs (James Parkinson 44, Aviral Shukla 37*; Tom Stanton 3-17, Poonish Mehta 3-48)
Merrion 207/3 47 overs (Jack Carty 79; John Anderson 64)
Merrion win by 7 wickets