In a new feature for 2018, we talk to the captains of teams to review their season. We start with the Mason Alexander LHW Financial Planning Premier League Champions, Merrion.
The Game of the Day cameras made their first appearance at Anglesea Road in late April in the only match to go ahead on the opening weekend after the poor winter. Little did we know then of the scorching summer ahead.
The cameras witnessed a thriller and a rarity as YMCA defeated the home side, one of just three league losses Merrion would have all season.
By summer’s end, endless sweltering sun-days saw Merrion achieve 11 wins out of 14 and the Premier League title. They defeated Clontarf by 53 runs on the final Saturday of the season, but the title had been wrapped up 10 days earlier as the Northsiders were beaten by YMCA.
Captain Dom Joyce easily picked out his high point of the season. “Yeah, it would have to be winning the league on that Tuesday night when YM beat Clontarf. As people have pointed out, it’s testament to the strength of the league that YM played like that with nothing on the line for themselves.”
As seen on Game of the Day, it was a cracking game that went down to the wire and a last ball thriller.
On that final day, John Anderson made 82 off 92 against Clontarf but it was another innings against Clontarf that Joyce picked as best of the year from Anderson.
In the Irish Senior Cup semi-final in Castle Avenue, a “perfectly paced unbeaten 99” brought Merrion to a final over, two-wicket victory and a place in the Stormont decider, “sheer class” said Joyce.
“Anderson scored over a 1,000 runs yet again, averaged about 80, plus he took plenty of wickets when he wasn’t needed as much this year. Players player of the year? Easy decision.”
Notwithstanding, there were some special moments of magic and individual performances on the field throughout the season that Joyce also noted.
“On the field, a special moment for me was when Poonish (Mehta) ran out a Leinster batsman with a direct hit from fine leg to the far end. It was an incredible moment…. time stood still when the ball was in the air and the Leinster batsman was oblivious to his impending doom!
“With the ball, Niranjan Shankar’s 6 wickets against Leinster was absolutely crucial in winning that game, as if we had to chase many more against their spinners we probably wouldn’t have won.
“In the field, Michael Lewis had many moments of brilliance. Probably the best was running Josh Little out by the length of the pitch in Pembroke from cover with an amazing diving stop and throw.”
While the likes of Anderson and Mehta might be expected to perform, other players stepped up when called upon for Merrion, something Joyce also acknowledged. “Max Neville was excellent for us at the start of the season and Niranjan was brilliant with the ball when he came in from the 2’s.”
Merrion had three appearances on Game of the Day in 2018, as well as being part of the live-streaming of the Alan Murray Finals, beating YMCA before falling to Clontarf by 6-wickets in the final and Joyce is hopeful it can continue.
“I’d love to see it back. I’d like to see more action from the games. If possible, more close-up action, provided there is camera/equipment permitting this of course.”
What Merrion will reflect on over the winter is a very successful season. Only Waringstown, possibly the greatest ever club side, prevented a League and Irish Senior Cup double, while a Leinster Senior Cup semi-final and T20 final don’t come along by chance.
Congratulations to all #DownInTheValley on their league victory!
Merrion CC – 2018
Mason Alexander, LHW Financial Planning Premier League – Champions
Irish Senior Cup – Runners up
Leinster Senior Cup – Semi-finalists
Alan Murray T20 Cup – Runners up