North County finish on top

Cricket Weekend roundup: All eight teams for the quarter-finals of the Dublin Grass 45 Overs League were decided over the weekend, Leinster, YMCA, North County, Merrion, The Hills, Malahide, Railway Union and Rush making it through.

In Section A, no play between North County and Civil Service on Saturday means County top the group while Merrion come in second after an easy victory over Dublin University at Anglesea Road.

Merrion's new professional Dean Waugh (brother of the former Australian Test greats Steve and Mark) was hardly needed as they chased Trinity's meagre total of 92 with nine wickets and 32 overs to spare.

At Park Avenue John Anderson scored an unbeaten 113 as Railway Union easily overcame Old Belvedere by 168 runs.

Kevin O'Brien also impressed with 88 as Railway posted 269 for 3 in 45 overs. Belvo collapsed to 101 all out with Kenny Carroll (4-14) and Greg O'Meara (4-33) doing the damage with the ball.

So Railway top Section B and will have a home fixture against Merrion in the quarter-final.

The other side to get out of Section B are Rush, who beat Munster Reds by six wickets at Kenure.

Section C was decided by a 15-over thrash between Leinster and Pembroke at Sydney Parade yesterday, the game shortened by rain. Pembroke made 89 for 9 in their 15 overs and the Rathmines side made the target comfortably for the loss of just two wickets.

That means Leinster top the group, with YMCA runners-up after their two-wicket victory over defending champions Clontarf last Wednesday.

Meanwhile, The Hills secured their place in the last eight yesterday by beating CYM by 76 runs in Terenure. Bryn Thomas top-scored for The Hills with 58 as they hit 230 for 5 in a game reduced to 37 overs. CY could manage only 154 despite 69 not out from John Hoey, who capped a satisfactory display for him after taking three wickets.

The game between Malahide and Phoenix was abandoned because of rain, and although those teams finish on equal points, Malahide progress with a superior run rate.