A Ali, R Dixit, K McPhilemy, A Khan, P Delany, M Block
Renno's Review 2008
League - It has to be said a fairly solid season. Seven wins from twelve matches, and no real stars. And that's about all that needs to be said. There was never a chance of relegation, and the league title only disappeared with the rain in August. A higher finish than last year as well (4th against 5th)
-
Cup
- After the run to the semi last year, 2008 was a disappointment. A tight loss to Inter A side Avondale was all that Dunne's men had to enjoy.
-
Review
-
I noted last year how unsettled the 6ths were in using 35 players. In 2008 they used 41! The lack of a spine was all that held them back from a league title. Eleven players played five times or more - and if those 11 had played every week, it would have been a great team (Dunne, M Block, Casserly, Dixit, McPhilemy, H Block, P Delany, Amir Khan, Sharma, Ali and Lawlor). Amir Khan, Paul Delany and Kevin McPhilemy all passed 150 runs (and have all played at a much higher level in recent seasons), but it was the bowling where there was a real weakness - only Marty Block and Amir Khan took over 10 wickets (twelve each). Skipper Dunne had a poor season by his standards (135 runs at 12) but mad up for it by being the most committed in the club, even returning from tour a day early, after yours truly re-arranged the Merrion match for the last day of the tour.
August 31st - The 6th's season ended with this comprehensive defeat to CYM 2nds. Batting first, Leinster were lucky to make the 73 that they did, with MArty Block scoring 22* at number 9. CYM were never going to sturggle scoring the runs, and knocked them off in 13 overs for the loss of only one wicket., A seasoin summary and averages will be on the site in the next week or so.
Mid August - The games against Pembroke (10th Aug) and Malahide (16th Aug) were both rained off. So where does that leave the 6ths? One game left against bottom of the table CYM, but Merrion look to be too far ahead in second place to be caught
August 4th - A return to winning ways. On the slightly controversial bottom square, a total of 160 wouldn't normally be enough, but this season scores have been lower. The mainstays were Bharat Sharma (33), Howard Block (46) and skipper Dixit (30*), and not too much else. A decent bowling performance was needed, and one was delivered. The wickets were shared around as Mullingar were all out for 99.
July 30th - League leaders Sandyford 2nds proved their strength, with this 6 wicket win in the hallowed grounds of Observatory Lane. A weak looking Leinster team elected to bat, but apart from the stout willow of Irfan Khushid (64) an dthe dashing blade of Howard Block (22) very little resistance was put up. 142 all out was never going to be enough, and Sandyford romped home with 20 overs to spare for the loss of only 4 wickets.
July 20th - A family feel to Sunday's fixture against Ireland Women, with several Leinster players turning out for the national side (I was in Laois so I'm not sure who). The Shamrocks posted a fairly decent 218-7 with only Irfan Khushid returning multiple wicket taking figures (3-55). A great chase saw Arash Ali (95), Paul Delany (73*) and Kevin McPhilemy (40*) guide the innings, passing the total with 8 balls to spare.
July 18th - A second victory of the season over Merrion, who were severely hamstrung by having to play two games in a row. Batting first on the Mount Pleasant square in Rathmines, the visitors could only muster 152, Irfan Khushid (3-21), Gary Lawlor (2-32) and Kamal Khan (2-13) being those picked out for gold stars. An impressive reply saw the top three of Lawlor, Trevor Dunne and Kevin McPhilemy all score well, and Leinster got home with 11 overs and 7 wickets to spare.
June
29th - The slightly sporadic feel to the season returned with a 3 wicket defeat in the cup to Avondale. I've never quite worked out why Leinster teams have such an aversion to cup success. Is it possible that all the other clubs in the province are the knowers of some secret or believers in some faith, that automaticaly entitles them to glorious cup runs? Leinster reached a 30 below St Columba's total of 133, with Trevor Dunne top scoring on 23. It would be over the top to say Avondale cruised home, with Amir Khan taking 4-27 and Paul Delany 2-26, but there were still 11 overs left, when the bails were flicked off, and everyone decided to head for lower ground.
June
27th - A good victory in fortress Anglesea Road. The win was set up after Merrion were dismissed for 179, with the Dave Lappin returning from the wilderness (well, New England) 2-31 and Greg Lawlor a bullocking 4-14 from 7.3. One contribution of note was Asim Khan (again) with 72, whilst the semi-quavers were Lappin with 19, and Bharat Sharma with a vital 22*. Leinster reached the target with 7 overs to spare
June
15th - How this game was lost, only
the good Lord himself would know. Rush were in all sorts of bother at
130-9, and then needed 50 off the last five overs with one wicket left. A catalogue of errors left Rush winning with two balls to spare. To get the full story, ask one of the players, although they are probably still locked in a dark cupboard
June
11th - The team's prayers to the heavens were answered when the rains came down at tea in the mid-week match in Pembroke. Leinster had stuttered to 132ao, before the precipitory relief.
June 1st - A vital 9th wicket partnership between Asim Mumtaz (21*) and Waleed Adrees (18*) got Leinster 6ths to 175 against North Wicklow on Saturday. Kevin McPhilemy had put up the scaffolding of the innings, so to speak, with 40. In reply, North Wicklow regukarky lost wickets, but regularly scored runs as well, but it was Leinster's younger brigade who struck the crucial blows. Sam McClune took 2-14 and Conor Power 2-9 as North Wicklow fell 5 runs short. The 6ths are now 2 from 4.
May 11th - An 80 run partnership between Marty Block and Amir Khan sees the 6ths record their first win of the season
April 26th - A fairly dour early season game. Batting first, the 6th XI crawled to 109, with Rakesh Dixit top scoring on 29 and Kevin McPhilemy with 15. Sandyford lost 6 wickets in reply, but were never really in any trouble.
RHB, ?? (Has anyone seen Trevor bowl?), DOB: --/--/--