Best possible start for Irish

IRELAND began their Triple Crown week in the best possible manner at Pontardulais yesterday, overcoming Wales by five wickets with all of nine overs in hand.

Following a string of eight losses and a draw, players, coach and selectors were justifiably pleased. The selectors in particular were beaming, thanks principally to the performance of Decker Curry, whom they had recalled from obscurity. Curry began Ireland's reply to the Welsh total of 199 in characteristic style, hitting 69 of the first 84 runs scored, including 10 fours and two sixes from 55 balls.

As ever, he rode his luck but still produced a couple of shots that beggared belief. Throw-in a couple of wickets as well and he was the obvious choice for man-of-the-match. There were a couple of other contenders as well, however.

After Curry had holed out to long off in the 21st over, Justin Benson maintained the momentum with 44 at a run-a-ball and then Angus Dunlop recommenced his love affair with the Welsh bowlers.

Dunlop swatted 52 from 37 balls profiting mainly from pull-sweeping seamers off a length, clearing the square leg fence on three occasions. He finished the game in more classical style by clipping Kristian Bell through mid-wicket to reach 50 for the fifth time for Ireland this summer.

The team has played against stronger opposition, of course. Having been asked to bat the Welsh struggled to adapt to the new 15 over rule as the new ball darted about under a cloudy sky. Bell and Stefan Jenkins eventually settled but, once Bell departed in the 25th over, the Irish quartet of off-spinners took wickets at regular intervals.

Arising out of misconduct in the 50 Overs League match between Leinster and Malahide at Rathmines on June 16th, the Leinster Cricket Union disciplinary committee, after examining the written report and interviewing the person involved, have issued their findings on the matter.

The behaviour of Malahide captain Damien Ryan was found to be unacceptable and he has been reprimanded and warned as to his future conduct. He has also been suspended from playing in all matches under the auspices of the Leinster Cricket Union up to and including Friday, August 9th 1996.

Ryan, had already resigned as Malahide captain and the club's executive committee, had suspended him for five league matches.