Week Report

The past week saw the first two individual centuries for Pembroke. First to break three figures was Meg Kendal who reached her century in a 20 over game verses North Kildare as the Women’s Firsts took their Division 1 record to 2 and 1. Then on Saturday in the Leinster Senior Cup, Daniel Solway scored an unbeaten 118 as the First team brushed aside the challenge of Division 2 side Balbriggan. Congratulations to both players.

Last Tuesday Cathy Murphy led from the front scoring 46* as the Women’s Seconds beat Phoenix by 8 wickets. Wednesday unfortunately saw the Women’s Thirds fall to ex-member Priscilla Pegman and the rest of the Greystones team.

On Thursday the Men’s First team travelled to North County for an Alan Murray T20 group game. North County took revenge for their recent defeat at Sydney Parade in the league. Thursday also saw Meg’s century as the Women’s Firsts put away North Kildare to remain in the title race.

On Saturday the Firsts took on the weather as well as a John Mooney-less Balbriggan in the 60 over Leinster Senior Cup. Balbriggan looked well poised to set a challenging total when they were about 200 for 5 with 10 overs remaining. However a late order collapse saw them pegged back to 222. Pembroke opened with Daniel Solway and Theo Lawson and a steady start ensued. Daniel took his opportunity to accumulate runs with great delight. His three successive cover drives, plus his dispatching of full tosses were a delight to watch. This was an innings that was worth enduring the drizzle to watch. Daniel guided Pembroke to the desired total with overs to spare and we now go into the draw for the second round on Tuesday.

Sadly at the other end of the men’s teams the 6th XI were again unable to field a team and could not travel to Knockharley on Saturday. The 6’s have been decimated with players on higher teams, not yet appearing from their winter hibernation, having to be replaced on the starring list and with the usual early season problems such as school or national exams. If you are available to play cricket this season and have not yet done so, please contact Sean Smith or turn up to nets and get out there.

Sunday saw a double header in Sydney Parade as the Fifths welcomed Lucan to the main square and R&SPU brought their fourths and Adamstown to the Junior mat. Both games eventually fell to the weather, with torrential rain seeing puddles appearing on the square and even the “Jack puddle” made a re-appearance. The Fifths had been due to play on a grass wicket, but pre-game rain saw a move to the mat in an effort to get a full game in. The captains agreed on a reduction in overs due to the late start and Pembroke batted first. A total of 158 owed as much to Extras as any one batsman, but did look like being a winning score when the rain caused abandonment. Sean Smith took four wickets opening the bowling, but ran out of overs in search of his fivefer. Railway and Adamstown did try to complete their game, but even the junior mat fell victim to the sheer volume of water that fell.

This week should see plenty of action on the pitch as the Irish summer finally arrives. Now if that is not being optimistic I don’t know what is. Of course it is nearly Leaving & Junior Cert exam time and the sun always seems to come out for that. Tonight the Third XI welcomes Sandyford to Sydney Parade for a YM Salver game. A 6pm start and clear skies should see this game completed. The 6’s were due to play AIB in Park Ave, but have been unable to field a team.

Tuesday sees the First team take on Merrion in their second Alan Murray T20 group game. This is a must-win game if Pembroke are to come out of the group.

Wednesday sees the first of three nights of Women’s cricket in Sydney Parade as the Thirds welcome Leinster CC for a Division 3 game.

Thursday sees the Division 1 clash between Pembroke and Ciara Metcalfe’s The Hills.

Friday then sees Cathy Murphy’s Second team play their first Junior Cup game versus Malahide.

The weekend looks, on the schedule, like a busy one. The Thirds play at home versus Leinster in a Division 5 match, whilst the First XI faces a serious test in Castle Avenue against Clontarf. Sunday sees the Seconds head out to Castle Avenue in a Division 3 game against Clontarf’s Seconds, whilst the proposed double header with the Fourths playing Bagenalstown on the main square could be under risk as the 6’s will need to find some players to entertain Adamstown on the junior mat.

Highlight of the weekend is liable to be the Bob Kerr All-Ireland Cup game up North as the Firsts travel to Instonians in what will be a tough game to negotiate.

Best of luck to all the teams making it out onto the paddock and here’s hoping we have more centuries to report on next week.