OCD2: Review of R8

An important weekend that could have a major bearing on the final standings at the end of the year. The surprise of the day was the win by bottom team North Kildare over Leinster, a result that really opens up the race for promotion. Terenure, who have also struggled this season, will be very pleased with their win over Malahide. And finally, Cork County now look like the third team in contention for promotion after their victory in Rush. Balbriggan, who did not play this weekend, will feel their chances have been improved by the other results.

Rush batted first and got off to a good start with an 86 run opening partnership between Stephen Doheny [56] and Lynal Jansen [37]. But thereafter it became something of a procession and Rush were all out for 147. The turning point in the game came with the introduction into the attack of Stephanus Grobler and BA Bilal. In a spell of 9.4 overs Grobler emerged with the remarkable figures of 6/15, ably supported by Bilal [3/15]. Cork did not have too much trouble chasing down the score which they did in the 27th over with Grobler [62] again in the runs.

In Terenure, the Malahide batting never really came to grips with the Terenure attack and only managed 187, and that mainly thanks to Callum Riches [50*]. The pick of the bowlers was Muhammed Ali [4/38]. Despite the modest score [by todays standards], Malahide fought hard and the Terenure win [by five wickets] only came off the last ball. Top score Dan van Zyl [69] with good support from Mick Cotter [40]. 

North Kildare won by 46 runs but unfortunately there is no scorecard from the match. North Kildare made 152. 

The results over the weekend have brought about a clear shift in the table with Cork County joining Balbriggan and Leinster as the most likely teams to be battling it out for promotion at the end of the season. 

Unofficial Table [corrected]