Four games of cricket and one social function for Pembroke in the three days of the Bank Holiday weekend. It was a busy without being hectic sort of weekend.
Saturday saw the First XI maintain their slender lead at the top of Division 1 with a fine victory over local rivals Merrion. Daniel Solway led from the front with a magnificent unbeaten 153 with Conor Mullen also scoring well with 62. Daniel’s knock was over 134 balls with 17 fours and one maximum. Daniel and Theo Lawson had an opening stand of 125, whilst together Daniel and Conor put on 114. A final total of 298/5 proved to be enough for the win and 2 bonus points as Merrion failed to reach 250 in reply.
Pembroke are now top of the table, but it is a close run thing with four clubs all within 4 points of our lads. However, having now beaten Clontarf (who we will meet again in the Leinster Senior Cup) North County and now Merrion things are looking positive. It may have been mentioned last week, but this is the first time in a dozen years that Pembroke has stood at the top of the Leinster leagues.
In addition, Fiachra Tucker has been presented with a Cathaoirleach’s Sports Award for cricket. It was presented by Barry Saul of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council. Mum and dad were present at the award and probably proud as punch.
Also on Saturday, Stephen Moore took his side to Bird Avenue to play Merrion Sixth XI. Sadly another defeat followed as Merrion won by more than 100 runs.
Saturday night the Women hosted the Club at the Summer Extravaganza and a mighty fine job they did too. An excellent meal was followed by music provided live and with a DJ. Well done to the Women for such an enjoyable and inclusive Club night. Hopefully it will be the first of many such events.
Whilst on the subject of the Women, many congratulations to Louise McCarthy, Shauna Kavanagh and Kim Garth (captaining) who are currently away with the Ireland A team to play ECB Academy in Loughborough University.
Sunday was a day of rest for most, but Stephen Willis and his Fourth XI had their first round cup game against Adamstown. Stephen had attended on Saturday night to ensure his team all had early nights and were not overly tempted by the delights on offer in the Club. He took this role very seriously and stayed quite late to make sure that no one snuck in.
However, it seems that some may have turned up not entirely awake as Adamstown shot off to 65 for 0 off the first six overs. Such a start made it hard to catch up for the Fourths and they ended up losing. Sugata Gupta demonstrated that class remains permanent and that form will return with a fabulous half century despite ending up injured and using a runner. The Cup will have to wait another year for Stephen and his men.
Monday the Fifths took centre stage on a grass wicket on the main square. Clondalkin provided the opposition. Lunchtime thunderstorms ensured the game would not start on time and the game was reduced to 30 overs per side. Bowling first Pembroke bowled out Clondalkin for 118. The wickets were shared around although David Cosgrave managed to take two wickets and keep wicket; a true all-rounder.
In reply Pembroke looks shaky as would be expected from a team which had not won yet this season. However Conor Prendergast and Niall Walsh decided to stay and finish things off and the target achieved with and over and a half to spare.
The game was not played in a pleasant manner with both teams, when fielding, asking for a change of umpire and on-going debates ensuing about Laws, regulations and spirit of the game. If neutral umpires are not assigned to the game next weekend, which is a first round cup game, then things could get very heated very quickly.
However, the Fifths have finally recorded their first win of 2016 and will be hoping to find 11 players for tomorrow’s T20 as well as a league game on Saturday and this cup game on the Sunday.
Sadly the 6’s are still struggling for players and this struggle is now starting to affect the fifth team also. Please if you are available for games, do let Sean Smith know.
Finally here are this week’s fixtures.
Weds. 8 June:
Women's 2s versus North Kildare at The Maws – Division 3
Thurs. 9 June:
U17s at North Kildare – League
Saturday 11 June:
First XI at Clontarf – Leinster Senior Cup
Third XI versus Merrion – Division 5
Fifth XI at Terenure Titans – Division 11
U13s versus Rush – Cup
Girls U13s at Phoenix – League
Sunday 12 June:
Fifth XI versus Clondalkin again this time in the Junior Cup.
U11s versus North County – League
Monday 13 June:
U11s at Balbirggan – Cup
Tuesday 14 June:
Second XI versus Merrion – Tillain Cup
