Second Team 2010

2nd XI News 2010
August 22nd - A cracking high scoring game, on a sunny day, with Leinster's victory guaranteeing finishing in the top 2, and a place in Division 2 next year. It should have been a dream scenario, but with the uncertainty surrounding the fate of the 1sts, some of the gloss was knocked off the day. Joe Byrne's magnificent 109* was the cornerstone of the win, the classic opener's role, enabling everyone else to work around him. All the other batsmen contributed in some way, with Peter Byrne scoring 58, an adding 118 for the fourth wicket with his brother. The finishing touches were provided by Rob Kenealy, who scored a 21 ball 47*, taking Leinster from 252 to 315 in no time at all. Kenealy has now scored 185 runs at 61.67 for the 2nds this year. It was far from a foregone conclusion though, and another masterclass from Tim Townend made sure the match went to the very end. He scored 113, but crucially none of the other Railway batsmen could get past 32 (Simon Grehan) although plenty got starts. In a match where the average run rate was more than a run a ball, Peter Byrne (2-38 from nine) and Rutug Mehta (2-46 from nine overs of legspin) stood out as the pressure got too much for Railway at the end. 20 points from the match takes the 2nds to 216 from 300 (72%) - a fine total. I'm not sure at the moment how many games North County 2 have left, and therefore how many more points the 2nds need to confirm the Division 3 title. Hopefully all will be revealed during the week.	August 14th - You wait years for a win in Laois, and then two come along at once. A few familiar faces had disappeared from the 2nds in recent weeks, and a few new faces appeared. Rutuj Mehta was playing his 5th game of the season for the 2nds, reward for a great season culminating in the Middle 2 Cup Final. Rob Miley was back in the line up, as was Calum Paterson after a sabbatical on the 3rds. Laois' batting performance (and by extension Leinster's bowling performance was steady. Skipper Yasin scored 70, and then Auret rescued the innings with a 70 at number 8. All the bowlers (with the exception of Kenealy) took wickets, the pick being Pete Byrne with 2-27 from 10, Rob Miley, 3-26 from 7.2 and Rutug Mehta with 1-8 from 6. Laois were all out for 222, which could present a few problems to a batting line up that maybe looked a batsman short. When Dave Lucas went for a duck, and Joe Byrne was run out for 17, the portents weren't great. Runs were needed from three, four and five - and they delivered. Pete Johnston hit 43, Gavin Gilmore an unbeaten 74 and Peter Byrne 40, as the lions share of the total was provided. Rob Kenealy's impressive performances with the bat continued. Promotion to seven, and then 11 runs unbeaten finished the match off . There was only an over to spare at the end, Leinster receving one from Laois, but there was nevere really any doubt. 23 points takes the 2nds to the brink of promotion - 196 from 275 (71.3%) and by my calculations, six more points from the remaining two matches guarantees promotion (depending on events in Division 1 of course!)
August 8th - Sunny Faizan scored his fourth century of the summer, a feat only achieved by Trent Johnston in recent times, as the 2nds eased through this tricky fixture against Railway Union, maintaining their lead at the top of Division 3 in the process. Wickets fell early, as Joe Byrne, Dave Lucas and Gavin Gilmore, but in Pete Johnston, Faizan found an able partner. Johnston, returning to his old haunt scored 61 and Faizan 109, but the coup de grace was applied by Rob Kenealy. A brutal 43* propelled Leinster over the 300 mark, which would take some getting from Railway. Grehan and Hafiz went off quickly, hitting Kenealy out if the attack, but the assault couldn't be kept up. Rory Geraghty took out the top 4, and from then on it was a procession with Asif Hussein cleaning up the tale with 4-24. A potential banana skin avoided. 25 points takes the 2nds to 173 from 250 (69.2%)
August 1st - It's a bit difficult to know who the winners and losers were with this no result between Clontarf and Leinster. Bottom versus top should have been a foregone conclusion, and Leinster fancied their chances of chasing down the 200, but with the regs being the way they are, it was very unlikley that a result would be achieved, and both teams would have been left with 10 points which is no good for anyone. Four games to go, Railway and Laois twice, and still no one is the wiser as to who the two promoted sides will be.
July 18th - It's all very well winning three home games in the height of summer, but it's the tricky games on the road where titles are won and lost. Balbriggan away always looked to be a tricky one (as I suppose are the remaining Railway and Laois away), although in the end it was probably a bit easier than anyone would have imagined. When Albert Harper rang me during the winter to inform us that Sarfraz Anwar was emerging from his mid-career hibernation to play for his local side, I probably should have requested a clause that he wouldn't be able to play in this match. He only took 78 career wickets at all levels for Leinster, but proved to be a great competitor all the way from the lower teams to the 1sts. He inflicted the early damage in this game, removing Faizan and Lucas to leave the current Division 3 leaders at 30-2, (and him on the way to 2-29). The match's first crucial partnership then took place between Joe Byrne (41) and skipper Gilmore (53), putting on 86 as Duane and Albert Harper and Roger Kear were all left wicketless. The introduction of Martin and Malone changed the innings markedly though, both taking three wickets, as Leinster stuttered from 116-2 to 159-9. The second partnership now took place as Rob Kenealy (24*) and Pete Johnston (9*) got the innings up to 190, a total that at least could be bowled at. The big Balbriggam danger men of Archer and Morgan had to be got rid of quickly, and whilst it could have been sooner, Hugh McDonnell got one through Archer's defences, soon followed by the wicket of Morgan to leave the hosts at 44-2. Wickets continued to fall regularly, all except Pete Byrne getting at least one, and Asif Hussein getting four (for 17 from ten). At 108-8 it looked all over, but when there's an O'Herlihy around, the game is never quite up. Kevin nudged, nurdled, whacked and swept his way to 43, and Balbriggan within 36 runs when finally Callum Paterson trapped him in front. Every game is important from now on in - 21 points from this match means 148 from 225 ( 65.8%), and this tightest of tight leagues still has a long way to go.
July 11th - At the beginning of the season, this league looked very strong, with no weaknesses, and the likelihood that eight sides would be battling tooth and nail until the end of the season. It still looks that way as we're just past the half way mark, but the 2nds have placed themselves in a pretty good position after their third successive win, this time against table-toppers Pembroke. After two previous convincing victories over Leinster this season, Pembroke were obviously confident, but arriving at the ground the worse for wear, and after the toss wasn't the best idea. After Bahl feathered a Geraghty out swinger to Reynolds early on, Barclay and O'Loughlin played their shots immediately, with O'Loughlin in particular offering several chances. The run rate was over five though, and it needed Barclay's wicket, snaffled at the third attempt by Joe Byrne to precipitate the collapse. Hugh McDonnell mixed it up (good and bad) to account for the returning Peter Davy, Walia and a peach to clip O'Loughlin's off peg. But from then on, it was the Pete Byrne show. After starring in this fixture last year (albeit for Pembroke), Incey was at it again. Probably his best spell of bowling of the season, saw control, both of line and length, and even that Pete Byrne rarity - turn. O'Farrell looked comfortable enough until he became Byrne's third victim, the ball pitching eighteen inches outside leg (or something like that), and clipping the top of middle and off. He was rewarded with 4-13 from ten and it meant Pembroke were 117 all out with only O'Loughlin (27) and Gallagher (22*) passing 20. Hugh McDonnell took 3-20 and Rory Geraghty 2-29. Sunny Faizan having scored at least 50 in every knock this season, finally registered a failure, and when Joe Byrne, Gavin Gilmore and (on the last ball before tea) Hugh McDonnell all departed , the match was in the balance. Lawson and Barclay were twirling away, and Bahl claimed his third catch as Dave Lucas gloved one just after the break. By then however, Pete Byrne was in his stride, and in conjunction with Jason Nagle, made light of the next 50 runs. Byrne hit 30*, Nagle 24* and the 2nds 23 points. It makes for a very tight top of the league, with Leinster moving up to 2nd on 63% (127 from 200). Si x matches left - Railway twice, Laois twice, Balbriggan away and Clontarf away.
July 4th - "Gale Force 8 - Some twigs broken from trees. Cars veer on road. Progress on foot is seriously impeded" - A pretty accurate description of the conditions that were prevailing on Sunday, as the 2nds beat Civil Service convincingly; conditions that no one present had played in before. With the wind howling down the ground from Rathmines to Ranelagh, there were challenges aplenty for all involved. Heavy bails were removed in the first few overs, but everyone found it tough, with bowlers, batsmen and umpires alike having to pull away as gusts saw the participants needing corrective action. It was difficult to work out how well or poorly Civil Service batted, the pitch was used and low, and with the wind, Civil Service struggled from the word go. Keith Webster scored 48, but some none too clever shot making into the wind accounting for several wickets. Rob Kenealy and Peter Byrne were the pick of the bowlers, their spells (along with three from Hugh McDonnell) went for 4-78 from the Mountpleasant end, whilst those bowlers with the assistance of the wind had 5-70 - it wasn't an 8 run wind!) The feeling was that in their total of 153 ao, Civil Service had insufficently scored with the wind at their backs. Joe Byrne and Hugh McDonnell were thrust into the maelstrom after tea, and although McDonnell fell for a dozen, at 51-1 off 15, Leinster were well placed. Butler, Siddique and Khan all bowled well, but Service seemed to be a few bowlers short, and by the time Darren Webster came on, it was too late. David Lucas was solid, whilst Gavin Gilmore providing the flourish, his 50 coming up (despite the best efforts of Lucas and extras to rob him of it) at the very end. The margins were 8 wickets and 18 overs which is a good win in any language. 24 points leaves the 2nds well placed at 104 from 175 - 59.4% - probably still 3rd place, but closing the gap on second place North County.
June 27th - If Sunny's hundred against Malahide wasn't unique, I'd be pretty sure that his third century in three Leinster innings is. Joe Byrne was out from the first ball of the game, but after that North County had to wait another 216 runs for another wicket. In that time Sunny hit ton number three (102), and David Lucas (93) became the leading run scorer for LCC in all forms of cricket since these records began (2001). From 216-2, if was just a matter of swinging the bat for the rest of the day. Hugh McDonnell scored 30, and the rest worked around him, as the 2nds racked up a pretty impressive 311-8 from 50 overs. In reply North County disintegrated, with Rob Kenealy (4-28) and Pete Byrne (3-17) causing the damage. It would have been much worse but for Richardson and Plant taking a likng to Hugh McDonnell. 125 all out, meant full points for Leinster, 79 points from 150 and 52.7% overall.
June 20th - A game notable for two hundreds, one of them possibly unique in Leinster's history, but crushing disappointment for the 2nds was the outcome. With most of the top sides in Division 3 having made their exit from this year's competition, a rare stroll to the final was looking possible. After Sunny Faizan scored his second ton for the club (in his second innings), the prospects of victory looked good, but an indifferent bowling display, coupled by an excellent partnership between Andy Pyne and Ryan Sheedy saw the hopes dashed. Apart from Faizan's 100, only Asif Hussein (28), Gavin Gilmmore (19), Niks Nagar (30) and Rob Kenealy (15) made double figures, but 240 does normally give you a chance. It wasn't to be though, and despite Rory Geraghty's 3-35, Malahide were never in trouble - Pyne (106*) and Sheedy (71) making sure that the total was reached with 9 overs to spare.
June 12th - With both Leinster's and Clontarf's 1st XI's playing on the same day , it was a good opportunity to see how each club's strength in depth was looking. Both clubs were missing a few, but as it turned out Clontarf ended up with many more worries than the Rathminers. A humid day, with the ball hooping around in fielding practice, meant that Gavin Gilmore took a bit of a risk and inserted Clontarf, but the risk quickly paid off. Rory Geraghty created pressure with an accurate spell (bowling ten overs straight - 2-16), and Rob Kenealy, whilst not being as accurate at the other end, took some important wickets, Keith Spellman being the biggest, an off cutter finding the stumps via Spellman's mid-riff. These early inroads saw Tarf struggling at 47-5, and from then on in, damage limitation was the name of the game. It wasn;t pretty but Clontarf weren't left with many options. Rutej Mehta bowled 10 overs of leg spin for 24 runs on 2nd team debut (including a brace of Calum Paterson drop catches), Malcom Rule took 2-15 without quite displaying the control of Mehta, before Kenealy came back to end the rearguard of Smyth - his 46, the only reason that Clontarf got as high as 136ao, Kenealy finishing with 5-45. There may have been a hint of doubt amongst the Leinsyter faithful as to how the chase would pan out, but any hint was quickly eradicated as Joe Byrne launched into a wayward McGreal opening salvo, despatching two beamers into the gardens. Leinster were 30-0 from three overs, and the game was effectively over. Paterson was also expansive at the toher end, and between them 80 was posted in quick time, before Paterson smasehd one back to Spellman, who gratefully accepted. Pete Johnston carried on where Paterson left off ,and Tarf were put out of their misery in the 23rd over, Byrne 77*. 25 points for LCC, 54 from 125 (43.2%) which is a bit healthier.
May 30th - Apparently the 2nds won in Laois in 2003, but Togher has been a pretty tough place for the 2nds over the years. Laois away, was about the worst possible draw that the 2nds could have got in the 2010 Division3/4 Cup, and a good few withdrawals had made the task a bit tougher. Skipper Gilmore was taking in the delights of Taormina, and regulars Rule and Paterson with otherwise engaged. However, there was still a long batting order, and plenty of bowling (albeit a paucity of spin). The sun was shining, the sheep-shearing championships were in town and whilst Lucas and Byrne weren't quite lambs to the slaughter, there was a certain amount of trepidation in the air. From the word go, these openers looked at ease, and despite being watchful for the first 10 overs (42-0), Byrne started playing some delightful paddles, and Lucas did his accumulation thing. Rashid and Asif threatened to tighten things up, but from over 15 to 20, 46 runs were scored, and Leinster were away. Byrne reached his 50 from 68 balls and Lucas his from 73 balls. Too many of the Laois bowlers were wayward, and those that were tight (young Auret especially) threw it away with a bad over. In fairness, this is partly due to the ground, where with a quick outfield, and an unresponsive mat, bowling can be a cruel business. Byrne fell for 61, whence Pete Johnston and Asif Hussein took up the attack, 32 a piece. Lucas eventually fell for an excellent 107, and despite not quite getting to 300 (which Laois have scored at home several times this year), 291-5 wasn't bad. 300 batting second is always much harder than earlier in the afternoon, and regular wickets always meant Laois were up against it, some slightly over exuburous strokeplay leading to a pretty early finish . Kenealty deceived Ozenbrook with an in-ducker, and then the dangerous Mudasir was too early on the same bowler's slower ball. Laois's middle order looked dangerous, but all succumbed after a few nice shots, with Rory Geraghty bowling an excellent spell, 4-33 from 9. Mainly the wickets went to players trying to force the game, but with Geraghty and Miley keeping the ball in the right areas, the white flag was raised after only 27 overs, Laois making 144 ao.
May 24th- The 2nds won the Tillain in 2008, and since then have the pretty disappointing record of played two, lost two. They never looked like winning this one, against a Pembroke team have been one of the top performers at this grade in the last couple of years. 120-4 is a pretty hopeless score though, especially in Rathmines. 160 is needed, but even 120 all out would have made you think Pembroke had been bowling well . Dave Lucas batted through for 50*, but that isn't much use with a substandard score. The Sandymounters then made short work of the total, easing home with three overs to spare.
May 16th- A rather patched up 2nd team lost pretty convincingly to Balbriggan 1sts on Sunday. A multitude of unavailability, led to a shallowish batting order. With Rob Kenealy promoted to 7, and not that much below him, it was vital that the top order delivered. Rather than a bouquet of flowers though, they delivered a crumpled up copy of the local curry house menu, and Leinster found themselves at 27-3 with Joe Byrne, Dave Lucas and Rob Miley all back in the hutch. That placed a huge amount of pressure on numbers 4-7, those yeomans of the middle order, Byrne, Gilmore, Paterson and Kenealy. In fairness, the yeomanry did their jobs, repelling invaders for a good while, and scoring 61, 39, 22 and 17 respectively. But as I'm sure you've noticed, that only adds up to 139, and without meaningful contributions from those above or below, runs (or a lack of them) were always likely to be a problem). Those other 7 batsmen got 30, and with another 13 coming the way of sundries, 182 was the total. A decent total on a damp wicket in Columba's, about 80 short in a dry Rathmines. Wickets did fall when Balbriggan batted, Barry Archer feathering one through to the silky smooth gloveman that is Pete Byrne. and then four going for 35 as the visitors close in on the total, but it purely emphasised how sub-standard the Leinster total was. Gavin Morgan blazed away for an 85 ball 82, and all the while Leinster Old Boy Sarfraz Anwar was able to put his feet up, safe in the knowledge that his analysis of 3-35 from 9 had gone some way to helping his new team win their first game of the season. Three points to the 2nds, 29 from 100, which isn't a very healthy percentage in anyone's language
May 9th- At last the collective weight has been removed from the shoulders of the 2nds. It wasn't the most convincing of victories, but a win is a win. On a very, very slow deck (but fairly true and fair), Civil Service were inserted, and quickly raced to 47 from six overs thanks to some wayward bowling from Rory Geraghty, and some less than tidy glovework from Paul Reynolds. Slowly but surely though, the runrate was brought back down, as Rob Kenealy bowled another excellent spell, moving the ball both ways as he did in his teenage years. The falling rate led to some more extravagant shots from the Civil Service order, always a risky proposition when there is so little pace on the ball. But with Keith Webster and Ullah going well, Service were at 96-3, before Ullah carted Geraghty to cow, where Nagle was grazing, and then Webster got through an attempted pull several minutes too early to loose his off stump. At 107-5, it was always going to be difficult for the hosts to last their overs, and with tight spells from Pete Byrne (3-21) and Rob Miley (1-37), there was no real escape. Kenealy finished with 3-24 and Geraghty 2-60. Skipper Gilmore expertly juggled his bowlers, and despite only having five bowlers, must have known that Civil Service would be bowled out in the 45th over, as there was no one left to bowl the 46th. It must be said though that the Civil Service total of 166 (abetted by 34 wides) was an excellent total considering, and anything more than 120 would be tough to chase. With the pitch seemingly offering little to the bowlers (apart from that lack of pace), it was unlikely that any Leinster batsmen could be bowled, and it was just a question of not getting out. Which was why five of the eight wickets were due to the rattle of timber. Siddique bowled two excellent spells, finishing with 2-21, but he didn't receive too much support. Once the initial storm had been weathered (Leinster 54-4), Lucas and Nagle set about imparting a touch of stability, putting on 68 for the 5th wicket. Nagle's dismissal, ending arguably his best knock as a Leinster player (for 32) saw the nerves set in, as Byrne, Reynolds and Lucas (58) all fell. Only seven were needed with two wickets left, but with Paterson being dropped from both his first two balls, it was edge of the seat stuff. Rory Geraghty provided the calm head, and eventually Leinster recorded their first win of the season with eight overs to spare. Leinster 21 points, Civil Service 4 points. The 2nds are now on 26 from 75 (34.7%)
May 3rd - "Lead through technique" was probably quite a good mantra for captain Gavin Gilmore to preach ahead of the season. Gillie did indeed "Vorsprung", but he didn't realise that his batting order would take his words quite so literally. Each of the top 4, contributed a ring to Audi's symbol, four ducks starting the innings in the worst possible way. After that it wasn't going to get much better, and even with a defiant partnership between Gilmore (61) and McDonnell (20) wasn't enough to get the 2nds near a total that could be defended. 124 all out was the total, and fairly quickly the lead was reduced. Four of the bowlers were wicketless, with only Hugh McDonnell taking wickets (2-24). In the end the 2nds were put out of their misery after only 23.5 overs. One point for LCC, 5 points from 50 overall, a pretty sorry 10%
April 24th - A remote report I'm afraid, but from a distance this was a disappointing start to the season. A great foundation was laid by Joe Byrne, Craig Mallon and David Lucas, but purely from the scorecard, it looks as if Mallon and Lucas got out at the wrong time, and the middle order were left to do too much at the end . Anything over 260 is a decent enough score, but in most of the Fingallian grounds it's only a par score (or less). North County seemingly cruised along at between 5 and 6 for most of the innings, and their only problem was going to be keeping wickets in hand. Tom Shiel and Terry Richardson both got 50s, and although Rob Kenealy's 3-57 and Rory Geraghty's 3-76 gave a bit of hope, it looks as if Leinster were a bowler or two short. In the end County had 53 balls to spare, but with only two wickets. Not the end of the world, but a win would have been nice. North County 21 points, Leinster 4. Scorecard can be find by clicking the result below
Yikes. However you look at Division 3, it looks like a tough league (and to be honest and slightly controversial, a tougher league all round than Division 2). It's pretty straight forward in it's composition, with all those who finished between 2nd and 8th last year (Pembroke 2, Clontarf 2, Leinster 2, Civil Service, Laois, Railway 2 & North County 2) along with the Senior 3 champions Balbriggan. So on paper, LCC are ranked 7 out of 8. In practice there's no way of knowing. In recent seasons, the 2nds have had a good record against Clontarf, Balbriggan and North County, a poor record against Laois, and mixed against the others. Gavin Gilmore will bring grit, determination and pure bloody mindedness - hopefully the other ten will being something similar. The crucial period of the season looks to be four successive home games between June 12 and July 11th. Trips to Laois and Railway in August will be crucial in determining the fate of Gillie's men. Prediction - 6th out if 8
The 2nd XI that won the twenty over Tillain Cup in 2008. Back row - CJ Hollenbach, Owen Goodman, David Lucas, Gary Lawlor (Mom), Rob Kenealy, Rob O'Connor Front Row - Raza ur-Rahman, Calum Paterson, Paul Reynolds (capt), Asif Hussein, Stephen Kenealy

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