May Bank Holiday weekend, and what a great weekend it was too. Three days in glorious Killarney, cosseted and pampered in The Hotel Europe. Food to die for, a full award-winning spa and a four poster bed. Why do any of us spend our summers chasing across the province from one set of sandwiches to the next, in pursuit of green fields, red balls and even sometimes victory?

So far this season has not been the march to victory we would all like to see. The most successful side in the club are the Women’s Thirds, who in the season opener defeated Dublin University whilst only having seven players. The “Magnificent Seven” managed to win by 8 wickets.

The only other winners from Pembroke to date are the Men’s Third XI who improved their record to 1 and 1 with a comprehensive win in the Village against Malahide. This repaired the damage that a 6 wicket defeat at Merrion had inflicted the previous weekend.

Of the other sides and in no particular order, the Sixes have yet to take to the field despite having had two games scheduled for the Bank Holiday weekend. One game was apparently called off for grounds reasons and the other through a lack of players. If you are considering playing this season and the 6’s would be your preferred choice of team and you are now registered on the cricketleinster website, please do let Sean Smith know so that such a situation can be avoided in the future.

The Seconds opened their season on Sunday with a game in Laois. A cliff-hanger of a game that just went the wrong way; Laois crawled across the line with just one wicket to spare. The team will also be looking for persons to do their book, so if you can help out on a game-by-game basis or better, please get in touch with Bill Whaley who will shower you with praise and pints.

The First team started their Division 1 campaign at the VinYard against The Hills who were one of last years promoted teams from Division 2. Batting first Pembroke managed to reach a defendable total with newly arrived professional D. Solway scoring 91 and D. Hogan providing excellent support with 79. David Murphy took two wickets, but The Hills reached their target with 5 wickets to spare. The Hills will be thanking F. Klodder for his 161 off 141 balls which was the backbone of their pursuit.

Not an ideal start but one the Firsts will hopefully bounce back from against Lisburn in Sydney Parade on Saturday in a Bob Kerr All-Ireland first round game. If you are not involved playing on Saturday the team will appreciate all support.

Stephen Willis took his Fourth XI to Marley Park, not for a concert but to play Sandyford in Division 7. Stephen felt he was short a bowler and this was proved correct as Sandyford won by seven wickets. Sugata Gupta was top scoring with the bat scoring 30.

The Fifths had no game last weekend and remain 0 & 1, but do take on new club, Clondalkin in Tymon Park on Saturday in an unfortunate clash with Leinster Rugby’s last home game before the playoffs.

This week’s adult fixtures are:

Wednesday 4th May: Women’s Third welcome Leinster CC Women’s Thirds in the Minor Cup. This game will be played on the main square to accommodate Junior nets and because the junior pitch is not yet ready for games.

Thursday 5th May: Women’s First team travel to Claremont Road in a division 1 match up with YMCA.

Saturday 7th May: First round of the Bob Kerr All-Ireland Senior Cup sees Lisburn coming to Sydney Parade. All support welcome. In Division 11 the Fifth XI will be in Tymon Park visiting Clondalkin who have already beaten Rush, who beat the Fifths in April.

Sunday 8th May: The Seconds are in Sydney Parade entertaining Merrion in a Division 3 game.

The Financial General Meeting is to be held shortly. It is one of only two chances the membership have to raise issues with the Executive and the best chance to see the

Financial aspect of your Club. It is worth trying to attend and see what the future holds for Pembroke.