In a game that was affected by rain and chasing a revised target they fell short by 4 runs. Stu Daltrey's match report can be read on cover-point.com. Next game: versus Phoenix in the Park on Saturday.

Defeat by 67 runs was not the result Pembroke were hoping for today.

Despite missing young Barry McCarthy (in Belfast playing for Ireland Under 20's in the Europeans) and Allan Eastwood, Pembroke started with high hopes.

However, the wicket played its part throughout and Rush dealt with it better than Pembroke.

Rush batting first were looking like folding for less than 100, but the tail wagged and their number 3 made 50, bringing their total to 143.

Pembroke started steadily, but the loss of 4 wickets for no runs in the middle order ripped Pembroke asunder. It concluded early with Pembroke reaching 75 all out.

20 wickets, many with assistance from the wicket, 218 runs.
 

First up this week is the victory over Phoenix in the LHW Alan Murray Twenty20 Group match held in Sydney Parade on Thursday evening. Ryan Hopkins was the backbone of an excellent Pembroke total of 174, gaining plenty of support from his teammates along the way. If only there had been as much support along the sidelines. Pembroke supporters were out-numbered about 2:1 by the travelling support, but those that were there were particularly vocal in their encouragement. Pembroke's total and Phoenix's target did not look quite as large as David Langford-Smith took the long handle to the opening bowlers. At the end of the third over the score stood at an imposing 42, with DLS on 38. However his dismissal merely exposed the rest of the batting order and the runs dried up, although only by his standards. Phoenix subsided to a merely respectable score and lost by 60 odd runs.
This will have improved Pembroke's net run rate and given them hope of qualifying from this group for Finals day. However, everything will depend on other results. 

In Division Two the First travelled cross city to take on the Terenure Titans on their mat. A decent fielding display saw A. Leonard take another four wickets, which must just about wrap up the P.B. "Spud" Murphy trophy again for another season, and Bill Whaley take three wickets. The Titans (remember them) managed to stage a couple of recoveries moving from 98/8 to 121/8 and then onto 166 all out. However the Pembroke reply never really got going despite 30 from Brían O'Rourke and 28 from Eddie Extras with wickets falling at 9, 44, 46, 66, 76, 78, 78, 88, 90 and all out for 103. A first defeat in Division Two, one which knocks them from the top of the table, we all hope it is merely a reflection of a below-strength team on the day and that they will recover their form for next Saturday's game against Cork County before the Bollywood night... 

Pembroke First XI got back to winning ways on Sunday with a comprehensive victory over The Hills 2.

Theo Lawson (102) scored a season's second century as Pembroke got off to a fine start. Together with Danny Barclay (23) the opening stand was worth 89. Danny has now passed 300 runs for the season.

Steve Moreton (42) joined Theo with the score on 91 for 2 and together put on a century partnership until the first German goal interrupted Steve's concentration and he tamely hit a reverse sweep to the fielder at deep point. Steve has also passed 300 season runs.

It will be of some concern to the team that they failed to really capitalise on the fine start and put a really imposing total on the board.

However the bowlers did their job and skittled The Hills for 121, with Andy Leonard taking five wickets in a Senior game for the first time. This win ensures that Pembroke remain top of the table in their priority task of getting promoted to Division One next season.

Pembroke First XI are now well and truly out of the Leinster Senior Cup since their heavy defeat to North County on Saturday.

North County batted first and put up a total of 239 that was out of Pembroke's reach. If every bat had functioned then Pembroke might have had a chance, but wickets fell and continued to fall rapidly. Pembroke were all out for 59.

It was not the best showing, but hopefully it will be the last such collapse. 

Theo Lawson scored an unbeaten 108 as Pembroke paced their successful chase perfectly.

Batting first Old Belvedere started sluggishly as if suspicious of the pitch in front of them. Barry McCarthy took two early wickets to put OBCC under pressure. The middle overs saw a good OBCC stand until Bill Whaley returned to clean up the tail for his 4/36. A final total of 193 was probably 30 runs below par, but 50 runs more than Pembroke would have thought they were going to concede. Barry ended up with 3/23.

After losing Andy Balbirnie early on to an unfortunate and unwarranted run out, Theo Lawson and Steve Moreton consolidated and then slowly increased their scoring rate to see Pembroke home in the 50th over without further loss of wickets. Steve Moreton reached his own half century following his century last week, whilst last weeks other centurion, Ryan Hopkins, remained padded up and waiting.

This full points victory will ensure that Pembroke remain in top spot. Next match is next Saturday in The Vinyard to play The Hills in the Irish Senior Cup. Home advantage was conceded due to the state of the Pembroke square, which while on the road to recovery was deemed unsuitable for this fixture. Conversely the Fifths were due to play in The Hills and now have a home fixture instead. Nice to see common sense sometimes.

This match has not yet been completed. The two teams will return to the Yard on Thursday with Rush needing 98 to win with 7 wickets remaining.

Pembroke scored 360 in their 60 overs, with Steve Moreton scoing 134 and Ryan Hopkins making his maiden, although I suspect not last, century and going on to make 132. Both scores were an absolute pleasure to watch and made in totally different ways. Steve Moreton had spent the week under the weather and his knock was gritty and involved a huge amount of concentration. Ryan Hopkins however played with aplomb and class punishing many balls and getting full value for his shots.

Barry McCarthy made 28 with further signs of how far he has come in the past two years.

However Rush went off in a rush with 20 off the first over. The offer of bad light was turned down on its initial offering but eventually the umpires called the players off.

Pembroke needed the break and a chance to regroup before Thursday.

Part 2. Pembroke foiled Rush on Thursday night and completed a 15 run victory as 7 Rush wickets fell for 83. cover-point.ie has further details, but suffice to say that the bowlers take the plaudits.

Bill Whaley makes it onto the Honours Board with a four for 39, ably supported by skipper Allan Eastwood's 3 for 84, and following on from his century in the first innings, Steve Moreton's 3 for 53.  Further details to you as we learn more of the story.

Division 2 was thrown wide open when The Hills 2 beat Phoenix in an absolute thriller a couple of weeks ago. Pembroke, Rush and The Hills 2's were all unbeaten going into the weekend with a mere 8% separating first from third. Thus the importance of keeping the momentum of a fine start to the season was further increased. Saturday's game against Terenure was another that was gracefully hosted by Oakhill and our continued thanks to them.

Before getting down to the match report I thought you might be interested in Stu Daultrey's blog preview of the game and other matters.

This is copied from the fine cover-point.com "Ireland Cricket online magazine".

This weekend sees the second round of the Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup. All the ties bar Coleraine v Clontarf are being played on the Saturday, and there is one change of venue, Pembroke now entertaining North Down at Oakhill C.C. in south Co. Wicklow.

Staying with that story, the square at Sydney Parade has been over-fertilised (visions of Monkstown RFC members up to no good after a night on the batter in the bar), and in order not to ruin the square (!?!?) Pembroke will give it a rest. The powerful Comber side must now travel another 40 miles past Dublin on the M11/N11 (turn left after the Beehive).

There they will find a replica of the Ampleforth College ground, but they shouldn't suspect a popish plot - that part of the country is as Protestant as anywhere in the Free State. Whatever chance the 'Broke had in Sydney Parade, they've less on a proper cricket pitch. Away win.

It is nice to report that Stu was not quite right in his assessment of the square as it has not been confirmed what caused the damage and nothing has been ruled out included malice.

Stu's views on the Pembroke square are well known to one and all and his use of exclamation and question marks in addition to the phrase "whatever chance the 'Broke had in Sydney Parade, they've less on a proper cricket pitch, will only educate new readers to his prejudice.

On the match itself, Pembroke posted 180 with Theo Lawson scoring 64 and a returning from Middlesex for the weekend Andy Balbirnie 46.

North Down will have fancied their chances on a real cricket pitch of chasing down such a total, but the Pembroke bowlers had other ideas. North Down lost wickets consistently and even the non-issue of a nick to the keeper not being given when 15 were required could not stop Pembroke entering the second round draw. The last wicket fell with just 8 required.

The second round game is against The Hills and will hopefully be back on our own cabbage patch on 12th June.

24 points (96%) from the first fixture will be just the start Allan Eastwood and his team will have been looking for. Dublin University, batting first, were bowled out for 101 in just 38 overs as the skipper led from the front with 4/25. Steve Moreton took 2/25 and Paul Lawson 2/10 as Dublin University struggled into three figures.Theo Lawson top-scored with 26, whilst Brían O'Rourke (38*) and Rohit Bahl (17*) saw the side home with only two wickets down.
Next week sees the first round of the Bob Kerr Irish Senior cup versus North Down. This game will be played in the graceful and delightful surroundings of Oakhill CC in WicklowMany thanks to Oakhill.

Pembroke took to the field, which allowed them to shake off the effects of the journey. S. Noreton led the way with 4 for 21, whilst Andrew Leonard took 2 for 10 as opponents Bready were bowled out for 128. Also 4 wickets were taken behind the sticks by Mucker. A good start to his Pembroke season.
Pembroke reached their target for the loss of 6 wickets with Rohit topscoring with 38 and Theo Lawson (17), Andy Leonard (14*) and Barry McCarthy (10*) also contributed.
The team will no doubt be delighted to get the first win out of the way and have a chance to make it two out of two tomorrow.

However, they did not play particularly well in falling to defeat Balbriggan. Balbriggan had won the Senior 2 Cup Final on Saturday, but showed no signs of a hangover come Monday. Notwithstanding some fine Pembroke fielding, Balbriggan posted an impressive score which Pembroke then did not have the fortitude to chase down properly. Too many rash shots, too many wickets falling meant that, despite a fine 61 from skipper Danny Barclay, Pembroke were always struggling.

After last week's game Danny Barclay took his troops across to Rathmines to face Leinster (TCNTP). The game being held on the same day as the World Cup Final did not assist the concentration or availability. After the previous evenings entertainment, Pembroke would have been at a serious disadvantage, knowing that the Leinster boys would have all been tucked up in bed a good 6 hours before a number of Pembroke players. I had written that much last Friday. Little did I know just have true it would be. Pembroke subsided to 117 all out with Leinster chasing it for the loss of 5 wickets. Danny Barclay reports.....
The sun shone on sore heads at Leinster on Sunday as we went in search of our 4th league win. Rory O’Loughlin (27), Pat Gallagher (22*) & Eddie Extras (22) were the only ones to shine as we were adjudged 117 all out in the 32nd over.
Leinster reached 15 when Joe Byrne ran out Sunny Faizan who had scored 3 hundreds and 2 fifties in recent weeks. There’s never one to the Pong.
Then Emmo had Joe caught by Peter Davy at slip and a caught behind by Rohit off Boffy made it 58 for 3. We needed to take wickets and with 5 catchers around the bat Paul Lawson trapped one in front, reducing them to 62 for 4 at the tea break and leaving us with a glimmer of hope.
Tea was gratefully accepted but may have also stopped our momentum. We still had players around the bat looking for a catch but were only able to take one more wicket with Rohit taking a catch off Paul to make it 72 for 5. Leinster pushed on to 108 before we had another chance, a difficult catch just over point and another skier at fine leg which was too much for Emmo to cling onto. Both went for boundaries and Leinster reached 118 for 5 to seal a comfortable victory. This leaves us with 3 wins from 5 games and needing a big effort to stay at the top over the next few weeks.
This Saturday we play North County in the Tillain Cup final, 5pm in Pembroke, so hopefully we can secure a trophy for the club.
 

Danny and his Second XI were at home versus Railway & Steam Packet Union Cricket Club on Sunday. Danny once again showed his class in compiling 81 before being run out off a no-ball by an alert piece of fielding and a sloppy piece of running by Danny. However Pembroke's total was never going to be enough and so it proved.
Next game: the next Seconds league game is 11 July at Leinster.
  

Hugo Mays starred with 114 as Pembroke scored a massive 191 for 2 in their Tillian Cup semi-final against Merrion on Monday night. Hugo received support from Danny Barclay and Jaskaran Walia as Pembroke set a target run rate of 9.5 per over. Merrion were kept behind the run-rate with Jaskaran Walia the pick of the bowlers and managed to reach 134/7 from their 20 overs.

Danny Barclay reports....Pembroke were away to Merrion last night on what was a glorious evening. Rohit Bahl & Hugo Mays opened the innings and quickly we quickly raced to 40 for the first wicket, thanks mainly to Hugo finding the boundary and some wide bowling. Danny Barclay joined Hugo after the loss of Rohit and enjoyed a partnership of 72 before Danny was caught in the deep for 30. Hugo, joined by Jaskaran Walia, carried on the onslaught hitting the ball to all corners of Anglesea Road. Jaskaran (22no) kept rotating the strike, enabling Hugo to muscle the ball through and over the field as he raced to his hundred. The pair put on 79 and Hugo was not out on 113 at the end of the 20 overs.

Merrion started steadily, reaching 46 before Jaskaran held a good return catch. Rohit then took a sharp stumping off Jaskaran before throwing the ball to the bowlers end for a length of the pitch run out in the same over. They were reduced to 55/4 in the next over when Pat Gallagher swooped in the deep and returned to Wian for another run out. Wian’s tight bowling not only brought about the run out but also a few aerial shots as they tried desperately to reach our total. Emmett Whaley hurled himself into the air to clutch onto a left-handed screamer before Jaskaran took another good catch at point off Wian’s next over.

With over 70 required off the last over it was safe to let Emmo have another over. He didn’t disappoint the crowd as he was hit for 6 into the club house before hitting the stumps with his last ball, leaving them well short at 130/8.

The Second XI did have a game before 4 July. It was a Tillian Cup game held in Oakhill on Monday night. Rupert Heather reports..... Danny Barclay's side booked their place in the Tilllain Cup Semi-final last night with victory over Oakhill. The picturesque setting of the Wicklow countryside providing the backdrop to a lively game.

Pembroke won the toss and elected to bat. Stu McDonald and Rohit Bahl started solidly, the later going on to score 25. Jaskaran (21) and Deepak Raj (25) made the other double figure scores with others chipping in. Deepak hit two crucial sixes in an over to take the PCC score onto 126 for 7. On a bouncy track that favoured the bowlers the final score was decent.

Oakhill have a few dangers players, notably Yogesh and Hastie, and would not have been unduly worried about reaching the total. However, a clinical bowling display by Pembroke took the game away from the hosts. Emmet Whaley bowled accurately and conceded only 18 runs from his five overs. Hugo Mays was equally consistent and generated good pace, taking 1-15 in his spell. Some fine bowling by the open opening pair restricted Oakhill to 40 from their first 10 overs. O'Farrell and Jaskaran took two wickets each as Oakhill chased the game. Two run outs were testament to Pembroke's excellent fielding. Oakhill finished 19 runs short from their 20 overs. Danny's side go into the semi final against either Railway Union or Merrion.

Next game: according to our records the next Seconds league game is not until 4 July. Although the next round of the Tillian Cup will be before that.
  

V Nth County.
The seconds had the pleasure of christening the square against the in-form North County who had won 3/3.
After being 0/1 in the first over, Rohit & Jaskaran went about their business dispatching loose deliveries to the fence before Rohit was trapped in front for 27 with the score on 69.
?Jask? & Danny continued cautiously as the spinners exploited spin and varying bounce. Danny (42) sent one into the Wilfield Rd houses but then fell to a catch in the deep. Raj (13) then hit a big six onto the club house before starting a 6 wicket collapse with Ed (?7) being last out with the total at 226, leaving Jask on 73*.
Nth County started well and were 43 off 11 overs when Rohit took a sharp stumping standing up to Wian Verwoerd. Jask bowled a nagging line & length with only 18 off his 10 overs while Emmo & Len picked up 3 LBW's from the other end. Len (3/33) then took a return catch reducing them to 80/5. They had a brief period of hope getting to 127 before Wian got the 6th wicket. Wian (4/43) also took the 7th & 8th wickets before Danny (2/18) wrapped up the tail to give the Broke a win by 72 runs.

Batting first, Leinster only managed a total of 120/5 on a good pitch due to accurate bowling from Emmo, Bof, Jask, Wian, Glenn Cunningham & Danny/Raj.
They got off to a decent start but due to some good outfielding boundaries were soon hard to come by and we started to pick up wickets. Wian taking 2 and Jask, Emmo & Danny 1 each.
Our chase didnt start too well as we lost Stu in the 3rd over. Rohit was gunned down LBW by Emmo three balls later with the score still on 15. Wian (17) joined Raj (27) and the two put on nearly 40 for the 3rd wicket with Raj hitting a big six. Leinster got on a roll when both batsmen were dismissed in consecutive balls. Who?s the man for the task you might ask? Jask. He & Glenn consolidated before launching a couple of big sixes, one over cover, taking 18 off an over. They then knocked off the remaining 30 runs in 4 overs as we reached 121 in the 17th over with Jask (39*) & Glenn (14*).

Our next 20/20 is away to Oakhill Monday 14th June @ 6pm with all supporters welcome.

 

The Pembroke Second XI, led by Danny "Nike Pro Vest" Barclay notched up their second win from two games in a tough encounter on the far side of Park Avenue.

Batting first Pembroke posted 207 for 9. Danny Barclay reached his first half century of the season (52) and Kaskaran scored 35. Ed Dwyer added to his season tally with another 24 "swashbuckling" runs.

In reply R&SPU fell to 86 all out. Brian O'Farrell was the pick of the bowlers, including a first ball of innings wicket which took the top of off stump. His figures of 3/21 however were bettered by Andy Leonard's 4/17.

This win sets Danny team up for their next fixture 23 May home to North County.

Pembroke Second XI started the season with a 7 wicket win over Leinster on the mat at YMCA. Leinster 125 all out, Pembroke 127 for 3. 

That said, Brian O'Farrell will no doubt wish all Thirds games were played there as he top scored with 89* as the Thirds chased Bagnelstown's 163 for the loss of only two wickets and with only 25 overs faced.

Skipper Glenn reports... Pembroke 3s Lost the toss and Bagenalstown decided to have a bat on the junior mat. Boff and Raj took the new ball but after 8 overs and a lot of playing and missing there was no wicket. Glenn Cunningham (9-18-3) then joined Raj (9-21-4) and wickets began to fall. Faran, Ananth and Johno bowled well but only managed 2 wickets between them.

There was no repeat of the poor fielding display at The Hills this week. It was an excellent fielding session including two very good ct behinds by Charlie, an excellent Gully catch and a run out by Raj and a nice mid- wicket catch by Glenn to end the Bagenalstown innings.

Bagenalstown finished up 163 all out after 42 overs. (40 runs too many off a last man stand by Bagenalstown)

 Ricky Mann (45) and Boffy (89 not out) got the Pembroke innings off to a steady start at about 4 per over. Ricky was caught LBW in the 20th over on 45. Charlie joined Boff and made 9 before being bowled. Raj (10 *)then began his slowest run rate in memory as he tried his best to allow Boff the opportunity to make his first century.

Boff needed 15 runs to obtain his own target out of 19 needed to reach the oppositions total. Sadly he didn't achieve it as a series of extras, including a wide for four made it unachievable and he finished on an excellent 89 not out. An innings that was made more impressive because of the number of interruptions due to the frequent heavy showers. A good win that keeps the thirds in with a chance of still winning the league - and the promise of Johno cutting his hair if we do!

The next Thirds game is 23 August at home to Rush.

Saturday at home to North Kildare. Glenn started the week spending as much time searching for an umpire as 11 players and was not available himself. However, in his absence the Thirds provided another win to cement their place at the top of the table.

North Kildare did not bat their overs and were all out for 189 in 42 overs. Deepak Raj added to his fantasy points with three wickets, as did Jack Balbirnie, whilst Charlie Kavanagh took two catches behind the sticks.

Steve Roberts (59) and Brian O'Farrell (57) both reached half centuries whilst Deepak Raj scored 46 as Pembroke took only 31 overs in reaching their target for the loss of only 3 wickets. Next game is at Rush in the Yard on Saturday.
  

Ian Mc Elwain writes on Sunday's league game... Glenn Cunningham's table topping Third XI travelled to the second place team, Civil Service, on Sunday, looking to avenge their only league defeat of the season so far. It being the second game of a double weekend coupled with the flat track meant that fielding first would prove tough on the Pembroke men (even without two of the team suffering badly from hay fever and being left to field beside the giant grassland by an unsympatheic captain!)

Steve Roberts reports on Saturday's Cup game... Having breezed through the 2nd round of the Middle Cup by way of a walkover, the 3rd team descended on Sydney Parade for the 3rd round against a Malahide team that resided in the upper reaches of the league above. This was to be the first of 2 games this weekend for the 3's.

Bagnelstown batted first and reached 140. This would not seem to be a good score but on Bagnelstown's wicket it was a fine score and well above the 80 that Pembroke felt they should have conceded.

In reply Pembroke seemed to have blown the game as they slumped to 31 for 6. But then Sean Bromfield and captain Glenn Cunningham both scored 40's and Faran Khan added 20 as Pembroke came back from the impossible to achieve the unlikely and continue their fine form in the league. 

This week the Thirds travelled to Kilcock to take on North Kildare. Captain Glenn Cunningham writes:  Pembroke won the toss (for the first time this season) and decided to have a bowl, based on a damp looking patch on the wicket and previous run chasing form. (This decision made not knowing that Faran Khan and Steve Roberts would not turn up until the 15th over. At 1:10pm they were looking for the Maynooth turn-off; at 1:35 they were in Port Arlington!!!)

Last week the Thirds were described as an E-Type Jaguar. This week it appeared to be more an Alfa Sud. Bodywork may be a bit shabby and you may have to hope you make it to your destination, but under that body is an engine of performance and class.

Glenn Cunningham's biggest task to date was assembling 11 players to travel to Laois on Saturday. 26 people said no to Glenn. Years ago this was the sort of trip which could turn into an overnighter. These days with the fruits of our Celtic Tiger the trip is about an hour and should no longer hold the fear it once did. But still Glenn ended up with a team of varied ability.

Pembroke managed to restrict Laois to just over 200 which would seem below par for such a fine artificial wicket. One hopes our own mat will be comparable.

Pembroke reached the target with the loss of 3 wickets. Any more and there might have been concern. But no more were lost as Charlie Kavanagh showed absolute class, timing and patience in compiling 80 odd. Glenn Cunningham provided the right support in getting his own half century as Pembroke wrapped up a fine victory.

The Thirds join the Seconds on 2 from 2. Next game Sunday 16th May @ North Kildare.

If this team were a car, it would have been an E-Type Jaguar. A classic, full of experience, snug as a sofa and as re-assuring as a cup of Philip Byrne's Hot Chocolate. Still capable of racing off from a red light (or to a red light), but in reality more suited to comfortable cruising. And that is what it did on Sunday.

On the Bank Holiday with a below strength side due to numerous call offs and unavailabilities.

Next game: Phoenix @ home on Saturday.

Leinster (the Club, not the province) in Kenilworth Square were beaten on Sunday with Rupert Heather scoring the winning runs off the first ball of the last over. Pembroke could not have got to this victorious point without the contribution of Ricky Mann who opened and remained the rock upon which Leinster (the club, not the province) floundered.

Pembroke had lost the toss and took to the field. Faran Khan opened the bowling and was unlucky not to gain more reward, whilst Justin Doherty bowled a good line and length which showed that this mat in Kenilworth Square was not easy to score runs on. Joseph Doherty made a case for opening the bowling in the future with good pace and accuracy. Leinster (the club, not the province) scored steadily and sometimes with pure brute force on their way to posting 154 from their 40 overs.

In reply Pembroke shuddered and shook and whilst wickets fell the runs continued to flow. Ricky Mann was the rock of consistency (if not sanity) we all know he can be and scored 40 until he finally was caught on the boundary in search of more runs. However Rupert the Heather played another of his once-a-season match winning innings in scoring 18* and had the pleasure of scoring the winning runs.

Kenilworth Square is a fine setting for a game of cricket, similar to many a public park in the South-West corner of England with Georgian houses surrounding a beautiful Georgian square. The mat does seem to have been designed in such a fashion as to ensure that balls flying out into the public domain are rare, but does provide a fine game of cricket. As with most second grounds the outfield could do with a closer cut than the one provided, but as always it is the same for both sides and is a fair test for both bat and ball.

No game scheduled next weekend and the next game would appear to be the next round of the Intermediate Cup against Phoenix on Saturday 17 with a game versus Wicklow County the following day.
  

For the third time this season Pembroke came up against Merrion. This time however the result was different to the previous two defeats. Rain came and swept this game away.

Merrion won the toss and batted first as if they had appointments elsewhere. The opener scored his fifty within the first 8 overs as the score raced away at 8 an over. However both teams were on and off the ground with more and more rain arriving. Ian McElwain took 3 wickets as Pembroke tried to put the brakes on the Merrion batting.

However, finally after taking early drinks and an even earlier tea both captains and umpires, with a little gentle prodding agreed to call the game off. It was the only possible decision with poodles appearing on the square - well it was raining cats and dogs....

Halverstown at home on Monday and despite making every effort to get some cricket eventually common sense prevailed and the match was abandoned.

A minutes silence was held for Alan Ruddock, who passed away last week whilst playing for Halverstown.

Between (and also in) showers both teams tried to get some play.

The captains reduced the number of overs before starting to maximise the chances of a completed game and tea was taken very early to reduce the chance of being inside eating during a dry spell. Pembroke fielded for 13 overs before the end came.

Next game: Sunday 13 June home to Merrion

Fifths Squad for Junior Cup Final
1. Michael W. Byers (capt): Middle order bat
Michael is in his first season of captaincy since the last millennium. He never would have envisaged, after his first four games in charge, that he would have to make such difficult decisions as selection of the side to play in the Junior Cup Final. So many variables to be taken into consideration. Form, experience, availability, appearances for the team, fantasy table, runs, wickets, fielding, the list is endless. So let’s try and help Michael with our run down on those in the frame....
2. Jack Balbirnie: Top order bat: Leg-spin: Wicketkeeper
Jack Balbirnie scored his maiden century two weeks ago and has since travelled overseas with representative team. His run of scores has seen him play for all sides except the Firsts and that will not be too far away. He is the top challenger to Danny Barclay in the fantasy league, which takes no account of youth or representative cricket, and will be striving to chase Danny to the end of the season. His bowling and wicket keeping merely show his enthusiasm for the game and he is probably his own biggest critic. Must be a near certainty to appear and in all probability, star in the final.
3. Brian (BooBoo) Bannigan: Middle order bat
Brian won this cup two years ago as Captain and certainly prodded the selectors when in the last game before the final he batted for the full forty overs carrying his bat for a match winning 79. Has already had scores of 44 and 23 when his team has needed it. Missed the semi-final but his determination to make the team is evident.
4. Gary Burrows: Middle order bat
If selected, Gary will be delighted to make his first final in only his second season with Pembroke. He is now getting to grips with Irish wickets and can be extremely destructive. For the 4th XI last weekend he scored 73 from 22 balls. & balls were lost and the opposition had to be lent a ball to complete the game, which Gary promptly put into the gardens. Earlier in the season Gary also put on a partnership of 39 in 3 overs, where his partner scored 3. Gary is also one of the best fielders on the team patrolling the leg-side with menace. Gary is from Zimbabwe, but we don’t hold it against him.
5. Max J. Byers: Leg-spin
Max Byers has been a revelation in his first season of senior cricket. Like Faechra Tucker, Max’s ability to continue to throw his leg-spinners up to batsmen without fear is his biggest asset. One hopes that he continues to do so in the future. Also like Feachra, Max has plenty of years ahead of him and will no doubt appear in many finals in the future, and on higher teams than the Fifths. Has made many appearances ofr the Fifths this season and hopefully the experience will stand to him.
6. Sam Byers: Opening bat and wicketkeeper
Sam Byers has taken the gloves and made them his own. That allied to his fine form with the bat, Sam will be hopeful of making his first final for Pembroke (under-age not considered). Scored a half century against the Titans and 30* for the fourth XI and such form will put him firmly in the frame.
7. Philip B. Byrne: Middle order bat
Philip Byrne has been a multi-cup winning captain and is usually found on higher teams than the Fifths. His work as Bar Manager and Executive Committee member has meant his net time and even playing time has been severely curtailed. Philip appeared in the Fifths Cup when a number of regulars were unavailable.
8. Donal (D.C.) Clissman: Middle order bat and bowler
Last year’s skipper Donal has provided the resistance in the middle order for most of the season. He fields whole-heartedly all of the time and bowls occasionally these days under the category, shock and awe. Donal was away for the semi-final having wisely taken two weeks off after Conor Dwyer’s wedding. Played last weekend and reverted to an opening role, but appears happiest in the middle order now.
9. Rob Farrington: Swinging bowler, swinging bat
Rob Farrington is again this season rarely seen, but when he is it is worth seeing. His 40 in the First Round won the game and was scored very quickly. And yet he is known better as a fine swing bowler who takes wickets for fun. Plays, when available for the 4ths and 5ths and has now left Mark Holland’s 6ths where he has been missed this season.
10. Paddy Halpin: off spin and top order bat
Paddy Halpin took last season off in order to travel the world and report on it via the pages of facebook. This season his appearances have been limited by employment. Hotels don’t operate on a Monday to Friday schedule and this has come between Paddy and more games. A fine bat allied with his quick off-spin have made him a valuable member of the squad when available.
11. Conrad Jones: Lower order swinging bat
Conrad is another surviving member of the 1987 Intermediate Cup Final team which having contained north Kildare to 125 found themselves 11 for 7 at tea. Conrad top scored in that game and still bats with the same good eye and enthusiasm now. Unfortunately last weekend he was out LBW second ball which probably saw an end to his hopes of making the cut. However his 44 off 16 balls earlier in the season shows what he is capable of.
12. Ansh Katyal: Medium pace bowler and middle order bat.
Anji has a lot of shots and could be a lynchpin for the Fifths, however, his consistency is infuriatingly missing. Plays with a natural talent that might need nurturing, but surely it is only a matter of time before the big score stops eluding him.
13. Steve McCarthy: Medium pace bowler and top order bat
Steve, as with Sean, will be keen to show his recovery from the injury which saw him leave the field during the semi-final and bat with a runner. His ability to slow the run-rate with his accurate line and length bowling and provide the middle order with the stability it sometimes needs. The only member of the side to have played Senior cricket, Steve retains the competitive edge and will run through a brick wall to win this one.
14. Craig G. A. Senior: Medium pace bowler and lower order bat
Having lost his first 9 finals until Jonny Bell’s side Craig is now looking to win three in a row. Man-of –the-match in the Brian Bannigan Fifth XI Junior Cup victory two years ago. However, unable so far to replicate his batting form of 2009, Craig has returned to bowling in an effect to make the final XI. 4 wickets in his last game will help.
15. Sean A. Smith: off spin and opening bat
Sean Smith must have made sure of his place by scoring a half century in the semi-final. However, tendonitis had forced him from the crease in the game before the semi-final and he missed the Malahide game as well. Will doubtedly be at nets on Wednesday to prove his fitness. Opening and solid bat allied to his accurate and canny off spin would prove to be an asset to any side.
16. Fiachra Tucker: leg spin
Young Fiachra has been producing superb performances with his fine leg-spin bowling for the Fifth’s and Sixes. His economy rate is remarkable for he has no fear when it comes to throwing the ball up to any batman. He looks to have a bright future in the game.
17. Lorcan Tucker: Top order bat and medium pace bowler
Lorcan’s accurate bowing and his fine mature batting has been noted by many. A classic bowling action sees him bowling to his set fields and provides both wickets and economy. But Lorcan is no one trick pony. He scored a half century for the fifths that ensured they reached the final and will want to appear in his first final. One suspects that selected or not, Lorcan is destined to reach many more finals.
18. Chris Wallace: Pace bowler and lower order bat
Chris Wallace is the bowler who has already developed a fine classic quick style. Currently finding wickets to come by, but this should not concern him. Either catches have been put down or the batsmen have no had the talent to get an edge to his probing