Merrion's strength revealed in statistics

CRICKET: If the averages for the rival teams in today's final of the Leinster Senior Cup - sponsored by Conqueror - are a true yardstick, YMCA, should not even bother turning up to play Merrion at Rathmines, writes Karl Johnston

The up-to-the-minute averages show the Merrion cup final players have, between them, scored more runs, taken more wickets, held more field catches and pulled off more behind-the-stumps dismissals than their opponents.

Up until last Thursday this particular Merrion line-up had collectively scored 2216 runs, taken 108 wickets, held 53 field catches, and achieved 23 dismisses behind the stumps. By contrast, the YMCA players between them scored 1820 runs, captured 59 wickets, held 25 field catches and pulled off 11 behind the wicket dismissals.

Merrion's skipper Kade Beasley and his side, however, won't be taking anything for granted as they face the Conqueror Cup holders YMCA.

Despite their all-round talents, Merrion have been proved far from invincible this season as Rush showed with that excellent Royal Liver Irish Senior Cup quarter-final victory last Saturday.

Of course, Merrion have many excellent performers, not least among them Beasley himself. His team can also call on the all-round talents of Brad Spanner as well as the skills of players like Shawn Flegler, Gus Joyce, Stephen King, Richard Dowse and Damian Poder for example.

But that is not to dismiss YMCA. The "old reliables" - Angus Dunlop and Alan Lewis - have played major parts in recent YMCA successes, just as they have been doing for the best part of two decades now, and they will certainly be an influential pair in this final.

But YMCA is far from being a two-man band. Included in the line-up are seasoned performers like Stuart Taylor and Stuart McCready, while others who have been playing well include Shahid Iqbal and Carl Hasford.

Seven of this team were in the side which defeated CYM in last year's final at Castle Avenue - Dunlop, Lewis, Hosford, McCready, Taylor, Simon Wilson-Moore and Dixon Butler.

One legendary name stands out in the YMCA ranks, that of Warwick Armstrong. If he plays even remotely like his great Australian name-sake the Conqueror Cup should be guaranteed a place of honour at Claremont Road for another year.

The senior cup final will be covered live on NEARE FM 106.

Meanwhile, Pembroke III and Civil Service will meet in the final of the Middle Cup at Sydney Parade on bank holiday Monday. Astonishingly, five of the Civil Service team, including captain Colm Magee, played in the equivalent final in 1988, when CSCC lost to North County.

Magee also captained Dublin University at senior level, while Niall Morrissey also played senior cricket for Dublin University and Merrion. And earlier this season Urvin Desai scored a swift century against Old Belvedere.