The Hills return triumphantly to Division 1

The Hills completed their expected, but thoroughy deserved return to Division 1, when they beat Phoenix by a convincing 9 wickets a fortnight ago. Any hopes that Phoenix may have had of pinching the title from The Hills, soon disappeared as Naz Shoukat and Deon Carolus blew away the top order, to leave Phoenix at 30-4. A mid order recovery of sorts provided hope, but when the last five wickets went for 34 runs, Phoenix knew they were going to have to be content with being Division 2 runners up, and being back in Division 1 for again, and will be aiming to avoid DIvision 1 relegation for the first time since 2005.

The other match played that weekend saw YMCA 2 pick up a consolation win over Balbriggan, in a match that will be remembered for Alan Lewis picking up his 500th senior wicket. Lewis took 2-12 as Balbriggan were bowled out for 120 in pursuit of YMCA's 217-9. Full analysis of Lewis's achievements will appear over the winter.

The final game of the Division 2 season took place last weekend, in a match delayed because of Rush's (successful) appearance in the National Cup final the week before. At stake in the match between Rush and Leinster was third place in Division 2, and qualification for the 2016 Irish Senior Cup that goes with it.

The match turned out to be a remarkable affair. Leinster found themselves at 80-8 fairly quickly, with Lynal Jansen taking 4-10 from 10 overs. A short afternoon's work for Rush appeared likely, before Cornwall's Danny Coad took a liking to the Rush attack, hitting an 89 ball 97. In conjunction with Maik Mohammed, the pair added 143 for the 9th wicket - the highest senior 9th wicket partnership recorded for the 9th wicket since our complete records began in 2011. The previous best was when Stephen Moreton and Conor Kelly added 130 for Terenure last season against Pembroke.

Leinster finished on 223 all out, and at 148-9, it looked as if it was game over. However Dean Brogan (37* batting at number 6) and David Carthy (34) had other ideas, and got Rush to within 27 runs before Carthy was dismissed.

The effect that those games had on the races for individual awards can be seen below. 

All awards (and Leinster's qualification for the Irish Senior Cup) remain to be confirmed by the OCC or Cricket Ireland.

Highest Batting average in Division 2 (Richard Bruton Cup - Qualification - 400 runs, only Irish qualified players eligible) 

In what was a relatively poor year for batting, only Terenure's Ben Speake and Phoenix's Sam Anderson passed 500 runs. With neither eligible for Ireland, the Richard Bruton Cup will be awarded to the only Ireland qualified player to pass 400 runs, Leinster's Joe Carroll.

Lowest Bowling average in Division 2 (Dick Clarke Cup - Qualification - 30 wkts, only Irish qualified players eligible) 

Nobody but the Irish born Tasmanian Joe Carroll, got anywhere near the 30 wicket mark, and hence the Leinster player is the clear winner of the 2015 Dick Clarke Cup.

Most Catches by a fielder in Division 2 (Arthur Vincent Cup - only Irish qualified players eligible) 

Cormac McLoughlin-Gavin lifts the crown.

Most dismissals by a wicket keeper in Division 2 (Ralph Satchwell Cup - only Irish qualified players eligible)

Long time leader Michael Cotter of Terenure wins by four dismissals from YMCA's Sam Murphy.

Leading allrounder in Division 2 (Robert Ellis Cup) - (Qualification 200 runs and 15 wickets/dismissals. 1 pt for each run, 20 pts for each wkt, ctch or stmp)

 It's no surprise that Joe Carroll wins the Robert Ellis Cup for allrounders, in addition to the batting and bowling awards.