Michael Lewis Half-Century Leads Merrion to Comfortable Win
A massive six over long-on with 19 balls to spare from Michael Lewis brought up his personal 50 but more importantly for Merrion sealed a 7-wicket victory in the LHW Financial Planning Cricket Leinster Premier League.
Lewis (50*) hit four sixes and two fours in his 38-ball innings as a 67-run partnership for the third wicket with Oliver Newton (36) broke the back of the chase of Phoenix’ 108/7.
Theo Dempsey (2-23) trapped Newton LBW to go with the wicket of Langford-Smith earlier in a fine bowling display from the youngster.
Earlier Newton had shown his worth as an opening batsmen and bowler, taking 2-19 off his four over, including two in two balls to reduce Phoenix to 27/3.
Two run outs and a Leg Before Wicket decision against Pretorius (13) caused problems for the home side as they lost wickets throughout the 20 overs.
Poonish Mehta top-scored with 31 not out but having been involved in both run outs, he won’t be completely happy with his evening’s work.
In the end man of the match Newton and Lewis’ unbeaten half-century saw Merrion home to a 7-wicket victory, ahead of their home match against Malahide tomorrow.
Malahide warmed up for that match with a 4-wicket win over Pembroke on Friday night.
Theo Lawson scored an unbeaten 58 as Pembroke posted 139/6 but thirties from Anish Desai (39), Damien Mortimer (39) and Greg Ford (35) saw the Villagers home.
In Friday’s third re-fixture, Leinster had a 7-wicket victory over a depleted Rush side. Saadat Gull top-scored with 39 as Rush put on 102/9 off their 20 overs, youngster Tristen de Beer taking 3-11.
Monil Patel (46) and George Dockrell (45*) guided the men from Rathmines home to the 7-wicket win.
Saturday sees a full round of fixtures in the LHW Financial Planning Premier League with matches in Pembroke, Merrion, The Hills and Rush.
Our reporter Peter Boyd will have coverage of Merrion v Malahide from Anglesea Road on @cricketleinster with a match report here post-game.
LHW Financial Planning Cricket Leinster Premier League
Phoenix v Merrion, Friday June 28th, Phoenix Park
20 Over Refix
Phoenix 108/7 (P Mehta 31*; O Newton 2-19, N Sharma 1-16, T Stanton 1-16)
Merrion 109/3 16.5 overs (M Lewis 50*, O Newton 36; T Dempsey 2-23)
Merrion win by 7 wickets