CRICKET: Given the Ansbacher-like silence from most cricket clubs regarding teams, results and what have you, it was with surprise and appreciation that I received an interesting email from David Lappin, captain of the Leinster CC fourth XI.
He wrote: "I am aware that your cricket column is usually reserved for reporting the scores in the higher divisions of Irish cricket.
"However, I believe that a couple of individual scores in a Middle B fixture between Leinster fourth XI and CYM third XI, played at Rathmines, are particularly noteworthy. Batting first, Leinster made 319 for 5 from their allotted 50 overs, a total which included knocks of 115 and 164, by Stuart Avent and Tim Ainsley respectively, and they put on 221 for the third wicket.
"Stuart's innings contained 15 fours and one six, while Tim hit 21 fours and seven sixes. In response, CYM were 154 all out in 36 overs, losing the match by 165 runs."
Undoubtedly, these were two outstanding batting performances, and I am grateful to David Lappin for letting me know about them.
And at a more social level, Gordon Linehan, PRO of Suttonians RFC - a club situated not a million miles from where I reside - gives details of a recent match between the rugby club and Howth Taverners played at the John J McDowell Memorial Grounds.
"Suttonians batted first and scored 86 runs despite not getting through their allocation of 20 overs. Top scorers were Jimmy Winchester and Blair Davis, and a highlight of the innings was a massive six from newly-contracted Leinster rugby player Aidan Kearney, which finished across the road in the Sutton DART station car-park.
"Excellent fielding by Howth veterans Mervyn Furney and Malcolm Banks, combined with three ducks, kept the home side restricted to just 86. What seemed an easy target for Howth proved just beyond them. Limited to picking singles off the opening overs after good bowling from skipper Richard Currie, Ron Maher and rugby club captain Daragh Dowling, they eventually needed 22 runs off the last two overs, but despite a valiant effort they ended on 82 for 5. The man of the match was Jimmy Winchester of Suttonians."
Last Sunday's Intermediate B match at Sydney Parade between Pembroke V and Rush III is certain to remain etched forever in the memory of the host club's bowler, Craig Senior. With a little help from his friends, Senior skittled Rush for 149 all out, taking all 10 wickets in the process, to end with the superb analysis of 10 for 41; undoubtedly, the dream of every bowler at every level of the game.
Last Saturday was a day of celebration at Kenure, where Rush CC staged a variety of events to mark Ann Harford's 25th year playing for the local club.
Harford is in her 25th year playing for the club. She captained the Rush women's team when she was only 12 and coincidentally, also celebrated her birthday last Saturday. Over the years, she played interprovincial cricket for North Leinster, and also played for the President's XI against Holland at Rathmines.
Meanwhile, the first-ever issue of the Leinster Cricket Union's (LCU) newsletter has been published, which is a step in the right direction. Among the topics reported on are primary schools cricket, schools cricket, coaching and general news, in which category it's to be noted that the LCU has taken on the services of Patrick Byrne of The Hills to help with coaching and school visits.
Byrne, a first XI player, has worked as a development officer with the GAA and last winter he coached and played in the Pirates club in Johannesburg.
The Irish Cricket Union's update newsletter has information about the European Championships and news of the Irish women's international programme.
Meantime, Gerry Byrne has succeeded James Fitzgerald as ICU PRO for the south, until the end of the season. Given his knowledge and industry, his return even on a short-term basis to a post he held previously is welcome indeed.
