Another season has begun. I sit here feeling my quads complaining, my back moaning and my shoulders screaming at the abuse they were put through yesterday. However I wouldn’t have it any other way. Back onto the field, sharing the slings and arrows of outrageous cricketing fortune.

Friday evening saw me walking the short distance from my desk to College Park where the seven ladies of Pembroke’s Third team took on Trinity. Offering to umpire was a wise decision on a couple of counts. Firstly it kept me out of the bar and then as the sun went down, it gave me a chance to remain warm in the middle. Trinity won the toss and their captain decided to bat first. With only seven players Pembroke were fortunate to have the required four bowlers and each of them did a fine job. Youngsters, Pippa Guy and Anna Beale joined the more ‘expperinced’ Amanda Dunlop and captain- for-the-day-but-not-for-the-season (yet), Barbara Musgrave in turning over their arms. Barbara placed herself onto the first Pembroke honours board with a six wicket haul as Trinity succumbed for 92. Special mention to Carol Cromer who covered great swathes of College Park and must have saved at least 30 runs with her chasing and fielding.

In reply, despite losing Pippa first ball and Anna shortly after, Pembroke made it home with 8 overs to spare. Barbara, again leading from the front, made 21 before retiring hurt with her back starting to play up, but more importantly remained at the crease until the two Trinity bowlers had finished their spells. Amanda Dunlop top scored with 34* including the games only maximum, swung into the crowd at square leg. However with Barbara’s retirement Amanda needed a partner to see the side over the finishing line. Enter Cora Fennelly Grealey who scored 3* and was still there at the end and delighted her chief cheerleader, Paul O’Connell. Thus the Thirds campaign starts with an eight wicket win, even if they didn’t actually have 8 wickets in hand.

Saturday saw me joining the President, and a couple of others is watching some of the Thirds game in Merrion. Merrion have a beautiful new scoreboard, but it didn’t get to record a Pembroke win. Early season form was on show and captain David O’Riordan got the dreaded season start of a first-baller.

The Fifths travelled to Kenure to take on Rush in a repeat of last season’s final game. Rush prevailed by 17 runs as the Pembroke chase stuttered and lacked a batsman who wouldn’t show the rustiness of winter and could have remained at the crease. Some batsmen couldn’t find the edge of the square, let alone the boundary and one batsman claimed to have forgotten how to hold a bat. But now the cobwebs have been blown off the side will more forwards and hopefully upwards. Joe Prendergast was the most successful bowler with 3 wickets, whilst The Bash warmed up for ANZAC day with a couple, as did the author.

Many congratulations to Lorcan Tucker as last year’s highest run scorer started this season in similar fashion with 121*. However this was not for Pembroke, but rather for his new Club, Dublin University as they took on Malahide in a last pre-season friendly. Fair play to Malahide as they presented Lorcan with a bottle of bubbly in recognition of a fine knock which ended up being 62% of DUCC’s final tally.

Next week is the May Bank Holiday weekend and will see the first game in Sydney Parade as well as the start of the First’s league crusade.

Saturday sees the First XI travel to The Vineyard to take on The Hills. Whilst the Sixth XI will be making the trek across Park Avenue to Cold Blow Lane to challenge Railway and Steam Packet Union’s Fifth XI.

The start of May on Sunday has Bill Whaley taking the Second XI to Togher to play Laois, whilst Stephen ‘Chilli’ Willis will lead the Fourths to Marley Park and a game with Sandyford.

The Bank Holiday Monday again sees the Sixes in action, this time opening the Sydney Parade season albeit on the main square mat entertaining Wicklow County in Division 14.*
At the same time, David O’Riordan will be hoping for better fortune taking his team out to Malahide.

So that is six games for the Open competitions next weekend, so make sure you get a chance to support at least one of the games.

* UPDATE: This games is not on and is to be refixed