The phoney war [i.e. less than meaningful friendlies in the cold and the rain] is over and the season starts tomorrow [Saturday 27th, May] with a full round of RSA Open Competition Division 1 and Division 2 fixtures. With home matches [across the two Divisions] in Phoenix, Clontarf, Trinity, Pembroke, The Hills, Merrion, Rush and Leinster there is plenty of interest with new overseas players and pre-season transfers all on show.
Leinster, the current D1 champions take on Merrion in Anglesea Road. Last year Leinster pretty much ran away with the league and had by far the strongest all round squad. Things may not be so easy this year and some key players are missing. A comparison between the selection for this Saturday and the last match of 2012 sees only three names in common, Craig Mallon, Stephen Moreton and J P O’Dwyer. Even adding three regulars from last season, Mark Jones, Pete Johnstone and Hugh MacDonnell, still leaves a much changed side.
In the final match of last season Merrion were flirting with relegation and needed a win against Clontarf to stay up. In the end, thanks to a mammoth 170 from Ben Ackland, they not only won that game but made it up to third in the league. But Merrion look a much stronger side this year with a completely new pace attack. Last season an injury to their overseas player, who arrived as an opening bowler, meant that their bowling resources were much depleted all season. This year an attack led by Nathan Rowe and Ronan McDonald, supported by Tyrone Kane and skipper Dom Joyce should provide the cutting edge that has been missing. Also of interest will be the progress of Alex O’Brien whose leg-breaks have caught the eye of national and provincial selectors.
So a very interesting match in prospect. Leinster will be looking to get off to a good start and set down a marker for the season while Merrion will be hoping that their strengthened bowling attack can get something out of the traditionally batting friendly Anglesea Road pitch.
The selected teams for the match are:
Leinster: C Mallon[C], H MacDonnell, M Jones, S Moreton, G Delaney, P Johnston, B Azher, N Lennon, J P O’Dwyer, P Byrne, J Kerrison.
Merrion: D Joyce [C], B Ackland, J Anderson, B Thompson, N Rowe, T Kane, A O’Brien, D Poder, R McDonald, D Watkins, J Short.
The match starts at 12.30 and, for those who cannot get down to watch, can be followed on the RSA ‘Live Scores’ Match Centre.