North test could be making of Hills

CRICKET PREVIEWLEINSTER CRICKET is set for a frenetic end to the season with 13 games left to decide the destination of the Whitney Moore League Section A title. The Hills have made a play for their first league win since 1989 after their victory over Clontarf last Sunday put them on top of the table, 16 points ahead of Merrion with a game extra played.

The Skerries side face a huge test of their credentials today when they welcome great rivals North County at Milverton (11am).

One of their two losses in their league campaign came at the hands of Andre Botha's side, who retained their Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup title last weekend.

With County in third position, this game will have a huge bearing on the destination of the title; victory for The Hills would put them in a great position, with an away game against a struggling Malahide side tomorrow and a home tie to Leinster to come next weekend.

If County can complete the league double today it would put them right back in the mix to claim a fifth league title of the decade.

They will fancy their chances in their two home games against Leinster and Merrion next weekend, before they finish with a re-arranged game against Clontarf at Castle Avenue on Wednesday, September 24th.

Defending champions Clontarf will need an outstanding end to the season to retain their title, but they have the considerable advantage of playing their last four games at Castle Avenue, starting with a double-header this weekend against Merrion and Leinster.

With the Anglesea Road square undergoing work, second-placed Merrion have had to give up home advantage today, before they finish with three away games, including a clash tomorrow with a Rush side trying to avoid relegation.

Malahide look likely to drop down to Section B, with Leinster joining Rush in the battle to avoid joining them.

Leinster did their survival hopes no harm with a home victory over Rush last weekend, and are now just four points behind them with a game in hand. They will need to beat bottom-of-the-table Malahide at home today before a tough trip to Castle Avenue tomorrow.

FIXTURES

Saturday:WM League Section A (11am): Leinster v Malahide, Rathmines; Clontarf v Merrion, Castle Avenue; The Hills v North County, Milverton. Sunday: WM League Section A (11am): Clontarf v Leinster, Castle Avenue; Malahide v The Hills, Malahide; Rush v Merrion, Kenure.