Merrion's top three of Stephen Doheny, Jack Carty and John Anderson were to the fore today, as they led the way in a dominant batting performance that saw their side to a 62 run victory in today's Premier League Final in Sydney Parade this afternoon.
Having won the toss, Merrion skipper Tom Stanton had no hesitation in electing to bat on an excellent batting surface. Carty and Doheny set about their task busily, forcing Pembroke into several bowling changes in their partnership of 124 for the first wicket, which was eventually broken by Fiachra Tucker in the 27th over of the innings, when he dismissed Carty for 55.
Doheny then shared a stand of 69 with John Anderson, before the opener was dismissed for 82, again off the bowling of Tucker, who's spell of 2/37 from 10 was by far the stand out effort with the ball for Pembroke. Anderson was later dismissed for 51 by Gavin Hoey, before late runs from Max Sorenson (28*) and Michael Lewis (20*) saw them to a good total of 261/3 in 50 overs. A good score, and arguably over par, but Merrion would have been a shade disappointed not to accelerate quicker at the back end of the innings.
Pembroke's reply got off to a terrible start, with Tom Stanton dismissing Danny Hogan first ball, before a magic opening spell of 7 overs 2/13 from Max Neville including the vital wicket of Theo Lawson, put Merrion well on top and reduced the home side to 16/3 in the 11th over of the innings. The wickets of JJ Garth and Gavin Hoey saw Pembroke 61/5 after 21 overs and put them right on the back foot.
A partnership of 61 followed between captain Fiachra Tucker and Greg Hollins, before the skipper was dismissed for 58, caught behind by Doheny off the penultimate delivery of Tom Stanton's excellent spell of 2/33. When Gupta (0) and Hollins (27) fell in quick succession they were left 125/8 and any chance of victory looked to be gone.
An excellent partnership of 74 between Ryan Hopkins (43) and Paul Lawson (26) raised Pembroke to 199/8, and had Merrion briefly worried, before Max Sorenson took the wickets of Lawson and Joe Prendergast in the space of 3 balls, to see the home side all out for 199, and Merrion 62 run victors in the BUAKIT Premier League Final 2021.
AT SYDNEY PARADE
Merrion - 261/3, 50 overs (S Doheny 82, J Carty 55, J Anderson 51; F Tucker 2/37)
beat
Pembroke - 199/10, 45.5 overs (F Tucker 58, R Hopkins 42*; M Sorenson 2/21, A Sidhu 2/33, T Stanton 2/33, M Neville 2/39)
by 62 runs