9th (Junior A) - Reprieved after finshing in bottom two
Star Men 08
Arshad Ali, JP Dingle,Asim Mumtaz
Renno's Review 2008
League - After last year's promotion, Junior A proved to be too much. In the end, the 7ths finished some way off safety, after not winning a game after 8th June
Cup
- So often teams who are struggling in the league have a good cup run, released by the pressures of a relegation struggle. Unfortunatley this wasn't the case with a defeat at home to Clontarf in the first round.
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Review
- (Post season note - due to the re-structuring of some leagues, the 7ths have been given a reprieve, and will stay in Junior A in 2009)
It would be too easy to be critical of the 7ths being relegated. There is still room in club cricket for enjoyment, a bit of fresh air, and a stretch of the legs. The debate that exists in many clubs is whether this is the role of the lowest side, or whether it should be more of a side for the blooding of youth. The debate will rumble on. As captain Kenny Byrne said at the AGM, the bowling totally lacked penetration. No one got 10 wickets, with Niall Carroll being the best with 8. The batting looked to be a bit better, although only three passed 100 runs, Arshad Ali, JP Dingle and Asim Mumtaz.Probably nothing more needs to be said. It was all the normal problems of running a side in Junior A - poor availability, players low on confidence, and joints just a little too creaky. But then as long as everyone enjoys themselves, does it matter?
September 21st - With relegation virtually assured, the 7ths had the opportunity to go out with a bang, the last game of the 2008 season in Observatory Lane. In the end the bang was about as big as a goose down pillow smashing into a bath of blancmange. In 40 overs the 7ths careered to 105-3, keeping wickets in hand for next season. Civil Service knocked it off without too much bother.
September 14th - I'm still not sure what happened in the 7ths last match against North Kildare (post season note - I needn't have worried, another defeat by 5 wickets) - but Balbriggan couldn't raise a team on Sunday for the 7ths penultimate league match. The heavy rain yesterday means that we are unlikely to get any points.
August 23rd - Rain looks like being the 7th's worst enemy in their attempt to stave off relegation. Still only seven games played, but not surprisingly, other clubs aren't too keen to refix. Still three games left though.
July 27th and August 2nd - Two more defeats, which suddenly put the 7ths deep in relegation trouble. No scorecards yet, but against Railway Union and the Hills, the 7ths batted first , but could only post medicore sores before the opposition knocked them off. Four games left, so plenty of time to get out of trouble, but wins are needed, maybe two or three.
July 13th - The initial rumours of a 7ths win in Wexford were about as accurate as a Noel King loosener. It was close though, with Wexford the victors by 2 runs. Batting first Wexford got to 176 all lout from their 40 overs - Niall Carroll (3-17 from 7) and Nayim Khan (2-23 from 10) being the pick of the bowlers. In reply, seven batsmen got into double figures, but no one progressed.
July 2nd - 7ths lose to Pembroke - Captain Kenny Byrne fills in the details - "Midweek Games are always good for getting away from work for the afternoon usually.
On this occasion we had to work harder on the field than in the job. Having lossed the toss Pembroke decided to bat and scored a match winning 215 having declared in the 39 over due to rain. We started our reply in good fashion but soon lost our way and with wickets falling in quick succession we capitulated to a score of 144 for 9 in 41 overs. Despite losing we as a team preformed well although we lacked 2 accurate and fast opening bowlers. Lets hope our fortunes change for the better soon Kennie B."
June
8th - A mixed bag for the 7ths. On the pitch, a 4 wicket defeat of North Kildare provided the sweet smell of succes. Andrew Oliver returned made his return the the club, taking 4-24, as North Kildare were dismissed for 163 in 32 overs. The reply was dominated by Arshan Ali (67*) and Asim Mumtaz (40), as the target was reached for the loss of 6 wickets. Off the pitch, the smells were of a slightly more agricultural variety, as the 7ths were deducted league points for the failure to send in result cards. The table (click here) shows the 7ths third from bottom after two games. In reality they are two from four, so the table is probably about right
May
31st - Knockharley were asked to bat by Kenny Byrne, and duly did,
cashing in to the tune of 264-5. In reply, Leinster never really
threatened, ending up with defeat by 141 runs. Tom Raza was the pick of the Leinster players on show top scoring with 45, and returning the best bowling with 2-46.
May 24th - A first victory of the season for the 7ths. In a tight game, Arshad Ali scored 48 and Asim Mumtaz 26, as Leinster mustered 151-6 from their 40 overs. In reply, Ali completed his match winning performance with 4-29 as Bagnalstown 2nds finished an excruciating 4 runs short
RHB, RS, DOB: --/--/--