The opening of the competitive cricket season is awaited by fans and players alike with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation, and the unseasonably good weather provided a splendid backdrop for the first game of the newly restructured Leinster Cricket League between the Hills and Malahide at the Vineyard. The visitors from Malahide won the toss and decided to field first. While the logic for this decision was not apparent immediately to the aficionados on the boundary, it became even less justifiable when the Hills raced to 102 before the first wicket fell. Jeremy Bray continued serenely to score 106 before he was stumped by Fintan Mc Allister off the bowling of Jim Govan. This was the last success which Malahide had in the field as Mike Baumgart (88*) and Max Sorensen (85*) set about the Malahide bowling, and The Hills ended on a score of 325 for the loss of 2 wickets.

If Malahide was to have any chance of victory, it was essential for them to have a good start, but unfortunately for them, Sorensen took a wicket with the fourth ball of the first over. From that point onwards, wickets fell regularly to a combination of controlled bowling and good fielding, with the Hills Professional, Max Sorensen having a very fruitful day as he took 6 wickets for 12 runs to add to his 85*. The top scorer for Malahide was extras (23), with Adam Shehabbedin contributing a solid 20 runs before he was caught by Van der Merwe, off the bowling of Malcolm Byrne. The final Malahide score was 104, and the Hills margin of victory was 221 runs.

It may be unwise to make definitive forecasts on the basis of the first game of the season, but on this showing, the Hills look to be a very competitive outfit with strength in their batting and bowling, while Malahide will hope that the arrival of their professional, will give an impetus to them as they seek to consolidate their position in League One after last year’s promotion.

The Hills Batting Figures:

Name	How Out	Bowler	Runs
Jeremy Bray	St F McAllister	J Govan	106
Albert van der Merwe	Bowled	C Riches	26
Mike Baumgart	Not Out		88
Max Sorensen	Not Out		85

The Hills Bowling:

Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Max Sorensen	8.4	4	12	6
Luke Clinton	4	0	19	0
Naseer Shoukat	5	0	19	0
Malcolm Byrne	2	0	16	1
Jeremy Bray	7	0	30	2

 

On Sunday The Hills Second XI were pitted Vs Trinity College and were determined to provide another victory for the home side.

Batting first Trinity put on a very credible score of 205 with Carl Hosford scoring a very entertaining 105. The pick of The Hills bowlers being an excellent spell from Joseph Clinton taking four wickets for just 36 runs. Rain in mid afternoon meant that The Hills were faced with a revised target of 178 in 38 overs under the Duckworth Lewis Method.

The Hills got off to a shaky enough reply loosing two early wickets until Robert Byrne and Ajaz Fouruki steadied the ship with two very entertaining innings scoring 83 and 61 respectively. Darrell Calder supported with 22 to see the home side take this “double pointer” and get their season off on a very positive note.

 

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