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Divisions 1 & 2: review of weekend 25th - 26th June; preview of weekend 2nd - 3rd July

It's turning out to be a terrific season in both top divisions.  The quality of the cricket may be a bit variable, and sometimes positively ropey in Division 2, but everybody is beating everybody else and it's impossible to predict which sides will end up being promoted and relegated.  I thought I might get a clearer idea about Division 2 after I had seen Leinster's trip to Rush on Saturday, but heavy overnight rain had got under the tarpaulin, and no play was possible.

I headed for Sandymount, where I had a choice of three Division 1 matches.  I chose the YMCA v North County game, which was still a contest when Greg Hay was third out for 26 with the score on 115 in the 30th over.  John Mooney was dropped in the deep when on 4, and that was the end of the contest.  After Adam Coughlan was out for a solid 44, Mooney (102*) and Ciaran Garry (55*) scored at twelve an over to take the total to 304-4.  YMCA were never in it after the early dismissals of Strydom and Dutt, and Alan Lewis (36), Carl Hosford (29) and Robert Garth (41) just delayed the inevitable.  Some observers were puzzled by Coughlan's move to Inch – why did County want him?  Look at my latest averages.

I could have gone to Sydney Parade, where I would have seen an equally one-sided match.  Clontarf chose to bat first (de rigeur in the 'Broke – even the good pitches don't get better), and with 60 from Alex Cusack, 52 from Andrew Poynter and 30* from Joe Morrissey arrived at 248-8, Stephen Moreton taking 4/42.  Nobody fired for Pembroke as they ground their way to 138 all out in 45 overs.  Seven 'Tarf bowlers shared the wickets.

If I'd had my therminals I could have gone to Park Avenue, but I didn't so I didn't.  I would have seen Alex Chetkovich and Matt Petrie go through a Railway top order missing Kenny Carroll and Trent Johnston to have them 37-5.  Conor Mullen (38) and Mo Tariq (61) effected a recovery, but 168 wasn't enough.  Tyrone Kane continues to impress, taking two wickets after the big Aussies' initial burst.  Kade Beasley opened in the absence of Ben Ackland, and scored 61 to set up a six wicket win, skipper John Anderson scoring 40*.

If, like the late, lamented Liam Keegan, I'd been motivated by my appetite, I would have stayed north of the river and gone to the Park to see Phoenix host The Hills.  As well as being extremely well fed and watered (aqua fortis if desired), I would have seen a thrilling contest.  The Hills slumped from 66-2 to 114 all out, Jeremy Bray taking 3/18 and David Langford-Smith 3/22.  The Hills, remember, are the masters of defending low scores – two years ago their 110 was plenty against North County, this season 120 was three runs too much for YMCA – so when 17-0 became 17-3 the alarm bells were ringing.  Conor Kelly and Jeremy Bray battled twenties, but shortly after the home team were 76-6, David Langford-Smith was dropped.  Lanky was seventh out on 101, and Phoenix got to 113-9.  Jonty Wardell slashed one into the slips where Mike Baumgart dropped it and the ball ran away for two to give a home win by the narrowest of margins.

There was one Division match on Sunday, when Merrion travelled to Clontarf.  Merrion stuck the Bull's Meadow men in and Petrie, Joyce and Chetkovich did the business, whipping out the top five for 39.  Joe Morrissey (24) and Jordan Coghlan (18) started the recovery, continued by Richard Forrest (44) and the Shoebomber, Richie Reid (24).  Matt Petrie's ten overs yielded 3/14, that's 5/30 over the weekend.  Ben Ackland was back, opened, scored a ninety-ball 89, and Merrion won by six wickets for the second time this weekend.  Jordan Coghlan took 3/33 – what a shame rugby pays more than cricket!

In Division 2 the Malahide covers worked and Old Belvedere were optimistic, asking Malahide to bat first.  Johnny Pryor (35) and Conor Geraghty put on 58 for the first wicket, then Geraghty and Paul Tweddle added 180 for the second.  The Somerset 'keeper/batsman made 102, Geraghty 90 and Andrew Pyne added an unbeaten 25 as the Village People got to 307-7.  Simmi Singh, who had taken 3/46, failed with the bat, leaving fellow opener Syed Ali to make 60 out of 186 all out.  Peter Chase took 3/28 and Neil Boyne 3/35.

On Sunday Belvo hosted a Cork County weakened by the loss of main man Bruce Koch to a knee injury.  Keith Banks filled in Brucie's role as an opening bowler, and did a super shift to record 10-3-17-1.  Abou Baker (24), Asim Aftab (54) and Simmi Singh (49) saw the Jesuits' former pupils to 191-9.  County were 5-2 and 53-3, but Ross Durity and Darren Fogarty put them in a position to win at 106-3 off 30 overs.  Yousafzai (0/26) and Singh tightened the noose with their off-breaks, and after Foggy was out for 29 only Durity stood between Belvo and victory.  The left-hander was last out for a super innings of 87 with County 17 runs short, Singh taking 4/45.

I was in Milverton earlier this season when North County 2 beat The Hills 2.  The reverse fixture saw the reverse result.  Amer Raza's 75 got the Wilberries to 132-2, wherafter Mal Byrne scored 70 and Luke Clinton a maiden 50 to raise their team to 301-8, Niall McGovern Jr. taking 4/41.  County never recovered from 64-4, although Nolan's 47, Terry Richardson's 58 and 23s from Conor Shiel and John Andrews delayed the victory drinks until they were all out for 240 in 43 overs.  Luke Clinton took 3/34.

All the Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup quarter finals will be played on Saturday now that Railway Union are clear to travel to Shaw's Bridge, Belfast to play Instonians.  (Limavady can appeal against the suspension of Curry, but not against the awarding of the match to Instonians).  Because both Trent Johnston and Kevin O'Brien are available to Railway, I go for the Wheeltappers and Shunters to reach the semis, but I won't be surprised if I'm wrong.  In the all-LCU tie, Phoenix travel to holders Merrion, and shouldn't be good enough to prevent the Anglesea Road team defending their title in the semi final.  Leinster will get their backsides tanned by Waringstown up at The Lawn, so will Pembroke join Merrion in the semis after their home tie with Brigade?  I shall be tweeting from Sydney Parade to record the Waterside club's progress into the semi finals.

Cork County have a Fingal double header over the weekend.  On Saturday they are in Inch to play North County 2, and on Sunday at Milverton to play The Hills 2.  I assume they're staying in the Clintons' B&B.  They'll want to win both matches, but without main man Bruce Koch I can't see them doing that.   They'll win one match, but don't ask me which one.  I shall be at Inch, where North County will beat Railway Union (minus Wor Kev and TJ) in Division 1.  Follow @baldstu on Twitter to see if I'm right.