Preview of OCD1 [R11] and Averages

All matches are equal but some are more equal than others. As we move towards the end of the season attention inevitably focusses on those fixtures that are most likely to have a bearing on the title race or the struggle to avoid a relegation spot. 

But first news of off-field activities. An appeal against a decision of the OCC regarding the YMCA v Railway match from the first half of the season has been refused and the match declared a No Result with eight points each. This moves YMCA out of the relegation zone by the slenderest of margins - two points - over Merrion, with Railway Union eight points further behind. 

The eleventh round of league matches takes place today. Clontarf have a commanding lead and take on a Railway team that is scrapping for every point. Railway have sprung a couple of surprises in the last six weeks but Clontarf should have the firepower to continue their march to the title. 

The chasing pack is led by Pembroke who make the short journey to Anglesea Road to take on Merrion. Earlier in the year Pembroke won the corresponding tie thanks in the main to an innings of 153* from Daniel Solway. If Merrion are to have any chance today his is a wicket that they need to take early on. 

A local derby between North County and The Hills is always to be savoured. At the same time it looks unlikely [though not mathematically impossible] that either can amass enough points to mounts a title challenge. As things stand anyone’s game.

Perhaps the most interesting tie, and the one that will have their respective supporters the most nervous, is that between Phoenix and YMCA. Phoenix had a good first half of the season and looked comfortably placed mid-table. A string of defeats, however, means that they are hovering just above the relegation zone. A loss to YMCA would bring the Sandymount side alongside them, and perhaps even ahead [with a game in hand]. For YMCA a win would put them in a strong position to secure D1 status for another year. Vital match for both sides.

So the main focus today. Can YMCA drag Phoenix into the relegation battle and, if so, can either Merrion nor Railway take advantage. 

Averages

Thirteen players qualified for the Batting Averages [OCD1 + LSC] at the first checkpoint in early June. At that point the qualification was 200. The August checkpoint sees 15 players achieve the minimum 350 runs. Four new players make their way into the averages - max Sorensen and Hamid Singh [The Hills], Theo Lawson [Pembroke] and Alec Cusack [Clontarf]. 

There is more change in the Bowling Averages [qualification now 18 wickets] with half the names new to the table - Paul Lawson and Fiachra Tucker [Pembroke], James Parkinson [YMCA] and Sameer Dutt [Clontarf].