SPRINT COATINGS DIVISION ONE – MATCH DAY 10 (AUGUST 1ST)

The home stretch is coming in to sight in Sprint Coatings Division One, with Thursday evening seeing a live chance that the league title’s destination could well be confirmed prior to the conclusion of the Senior Cup!

Pembroke’s dominance in the league campaign has seen them winning all 9 of their league games so far, and they’ve dropped only 9 bonus points in the process, however such has been the competitive nature of the battle in behind them, they find themselves 96 points clear of second placed The Hills with 5 games to go.

The champions elect have their first chance to claim the title this week, albeit without every outcome needed being in their hands, they will no doubt be aiming to continue their dominance with a big win. If they win and, in doing so, outscore The Hills by 5 points, Malahide by 3 points and Clontarf by 1 point, they will have reached an unassailable total with four games remaining.

This week’s fixtures see Pembroke playing host to Balbriggan in Syndey Parade, whilst also in Dublin 4, The Hills visit Merrion in Anglesea Road. The other game on the southside sees Malahide travelling to Observatory Lane to take on Leinster, and just across the river in Castle Avenue, Clontarf play host to Phoenix.

PEMBROKE VS BALBRIGGAN

As already mentioned, the champions elect Pembroke have a chance to seal the title this week, however they face a Balbriggan side which will be buoyed by their victory over an albeit understrength Merrion last time out. That victory was propelled by a brilliant batting recovery, as both Tess Maritz and Claudia Green were in the runs, and the form of that pair along with Lara Maritz will be key to their efforts with bat in hand once again here. Last week’s victory also saw some excellent bowling spells, primarily by Green and Anna Gaging, however Reena Devi was also on form as well as Lara Maritz, and if they have all of those available for this fixture, they could find themselves causing a problem or two for Pembroke as well this time around.

Pembroke meanwhile are without Orla Prendergast and Lou Lou Little for this fixture, however one of the massive credits to their side so far this season is undoubtedly how many of their side have stepped up at different times and put in performances to win games. With the bat they’ll be looking to the likes of Clare Shillington, Shauna Kavanagh and Sarah Forbes to lead the way, however Isobel Jennings and Eimear Mullen could both also be seen to good effect in the top five in this fixture. With the ball they’ve seen Anna Beale, Kimli McDonald and Zoe Bell all step up with match-winning efforts, and they will feature in a bowling attack which also includes Forbes’ off-spin and potentially medium pace from both Vanshika Shukla and Georgia Beatty as well.

The absence of their hard-hitting internationals at the top of the order does give slight cause for concern for Pembroke, however the form of Sarah Forbes with the bat has been a constant benefit to the side and her inclusion is arguably more important than any other, the opening battle in Pembroke’s Powerplay between Forbes and Balbriggan’s seamer Claudia Green is likely to prove crucial in what direction the momentum swings.

KEY BATTLE: Sarah Forbes vs Claudia Green

MERRION VS THE HILLS

Merrion’s defeat last week came from being in an incredible position of strength early in their bowling innings, and whilst this will be something of a cause for concern with how they allowed things to slip away, it’s no doubt also set to give them some encouragement that their bowling unit is capable of putting them well on top in these games. They are led in that regard by Síbha Bhoja and Niamh MacNulty who’s new ball efforts have been giving them the perfect start more often than not. That pair were supported last week by Maddie Blazely, Aoife Brennan and Sophie Stewart, and the side did feel the absence of both their spinners Leah Paul and Julianne Morrissey. With the bat the side will be looking to the likes of Brennan, skipper Celeste Raack and Annabel Squires to get the side onto the front foot, and if Paul, Rebecca Stokell or Isobel Joyce were to be added into the mix, it would also prove to be a major boost when compared with last week’s line-up.

The Hills meanwhile are the closest challengers to the current league leaders in Pembroke, and nothing but a win will do for them as they attempt to keep the title race alive. Their batting line-up features two of the better performing players in the league in the top three, with Tahlia Dunne and Elise Noble both having been coming into good form in the past couple of weeks. They’re supported well by opener Lara McBride, Jane & Aimee Maguire in the middle order, as well as Clíodhna O’Reardon and Rebecca Gough, who have both contributed important innings’ in the middle order in recent weeks. With the ball, the Maguire sisters have formed a strong new ball pairing, with Aimee’s left-arm spin proving to be difficult to get away and a perfect foil for the swing of Jane taking the ball away from the right-hander. McBride and Noble will both bowl consistent off-breaks, with spin making up the majority of the overs in their bowling attack.

The Hills will be seeking another strong start with the bat, and that’s where Tahlia Dunne at the top of the order will be looking to get on top of the opening spell of Niamh MacNulty, whoever comes out on top after that opening blast from Merrion’s vice-captain could be in a really strong position.

KEY BATTLE: Niamh MacNulty vs Tahlia Dunne

LEINSTER VS MALAHIDE

Leinster still occupy the extremely unfamiliar surroundings of eighth position in the league standings, and will be desperate for a win here to help them finish the season strong in some way. They have a big boost this week as Sophie MacMahon returns to the side, joining her fellow all-rounder and skipper Ava Canning, wicket-keeper Joanna Loughran, opening batter Rebecca Rolfe and overseas player Clare Webber in a strong top five. Jenny Sparrow and Orla Bagnall will occupy positions in the middle order, whilst the bowling is spearheaded by Canning and Katie Dillon, with support from Webber and Isabella Merriman likely to make up the bulk of their overs bowled.

Malahide meanwhile have emerged from looking like they would potentially be scrapping alongside Leinster to now sit third in the table, thanks in no small part to Amy Hunter, Christelle van der Schyff and Arlene Kelly all producing some fine match-winning efforts with the bat. If the three of those players are all available this week, it would give them a massive boost and chance to push themselves up the table yet again. With the ball, Kelly and van der Schyff have been in fine form, and they’ll be supported by the likes of Lana Ryan, Haley Moore, Sarah Brophy and Sarah Condron, with their skipper Anna Kerrison providing an off-spin option, in an attack where any of their bowlers are capable of producing a spell that can really damage the opposition.

Ava Canning has been leading the way for the home side in recent weeks and will be looking to have a big impact on the game yet again. If she can knock over Christelle van der Schyff early in the Malahide innings, it could give Leinster the foothold they require.

KEY BATTLE: Ava Canning vs Christelle van der Schyff

CLONTARF VS PHOENIX

Clontarf come into this game boosted by the return to the side of Una Raymond-Hoey, who will in all likelihood take up a position at the top of the order alongside Christina Coulter-Reilly and Robyn Searle, giving them an even more robust and deep look with the bat. Freya Sargent, Genevieve Morrissey and Julie McNally will all appear in the middle order and could have their jobs simplified somewhat into ensuring the innings finishes strongly, if their top three performs the way it appears it should on paper! With the ball the skipper Emma Butler and Sinead Thomson will lead the way, with more seam coming from Alice Walsh and Lucy Barry. Sargent provides the frontline spin option in the side, whilst Searle could also potentially provide an option in that regard.

Phoenix meanwhile will be hoping for a good performance to put them into Monday’s Senior Cup Final on a high, and whilst they remain without the injured Georgina Dempsey, their batting line-up is still capable of putting together some big scores. Led by Gaby Lewis, and featuring Alice Tector, Siúin Woods, Zara Craig and Nevedha Saravanarajan, they have a top four that if they can put together a couple of strong partnerships, can definitely take the game well away from their opposition, and that may be just what’s required this evening. With the ball, Tector and skipper Ali Keenan will lead the way, with support from Craig, Alison Black and Sophie McDonough, whilst their spin comes from leg-spinner Arisha Foysal.

Clontarf’s returning batter Una Raymond-Hoey is one of several players in this tie capable of taking the game away from the opposition quickly, and in that context, her wicket will be vital to Phoenix if they are to restrict their opposition. Alice Tector’s opening spell is likely to be where Raymond-Hoey is under the most pressure, and if the Phoenix teenager can knock her over, it will blow the game wide open.

KEY BATTLE: Una Raymond-Hoey vs Alice Tector

SPRINT COATINGS DIVISION ONE

MATCH DAY 10 – AUGUST 1^ST

ALL 6:00PM STARTS

At Syndey Parade, Pembroke vs Balbriggan

At Anglesea Road, Merrion vs The Hills

At Observatory Lane, Leinster vs Malahide

At Castle Avenue, Clontarf vs Phoenix