Phoenix CC – 2018 Review
Annus horribilis may well be putting too fine a point on it, but 2018 was a tough season for the residents of the Park. On and off the pitch, things didn’t go according to plan and come season’s end, Phoenix were relegated from the Premier League with just three League wins all season.
Rory Anders, who made significant strides with the Leinster Lightning Bolts over the summer, unsurprisingly selected a cup match as the highlight of the Phoenix season.
“It has to be the run chase against Instonians,” says Anders, referring to the Irish Senior Cup 2nd Round match away at Shaw’s Bridge.
“It was a massive cup game against quality opposition. A smashing 86 from Reinhardt (Strydom) and other contributions from the middle order led us over the line on the way to a tricky 200 (off just 29 overs).”
As regards an individual performance of the year, Anders selected Fletcher Coutts hundred against Clontarf on the 6th of August. Unfortunately for Phoenix, with Clontarf still going for the League title at that point, Coutts’ 110 off just 90 balls with 13 boundaries and 3 maximums was in a losing effort.
That 110 did help Coutts to a total of 642 runs for the season and a strike rate over a hundred.
In a team struggling for form and results at the wrong end of the table, it can be difficult for a young player to come in and make a mark for themselves.
“One player who did (that) is Louis McDonagh,” says Anders. “He showed real promise in the lower order and performed well when standing in as a back-up wicket-keeper.”
Phoenix will be looking to rebuild the squad over the winter and start afresh in 2019. There are plenty of talented cricketers within the group and they’ll be looking to bounce back come the new season.
Phoenix CC – 2018
Premier League – 8th
Irish Senior Cup – Quarter-finalist
Leinster Senior Cup – Quarter-finalist
Alan Murray T20 Cup – Quarter-finalist