Nail- biting win boosts County's title charge
Wednesday September 01 2010
NORTH County 1sts are closing in on the Division 1 title after defeating Clontarf by two runs in a nail-biting finish last Saturday. County batted first and made a total of 198 all out, with Eddie Richardson falling two runs short of a half-century and Jimmy Boyland adding 30. Boyland then starred with the ball, taking 5-41 as Clontarf were dismissed for 196 with two balls to spare.
With this win and the fact that nearest rivals Railway Union and The Hills lost their matches on Saturday, North County are now about 20% clear at the top of Division 1 with three matches left to play.
Elsewhere, there was disappointment for North County Under-13s in the league final. Sean Rooney saw them through to the decider with a superb all-round performance in last Wednesday's semi-final, taking 4-3 and then hitting 21 not out in County's sevenwicket victory over YMCA.
The final took place the following day, with Pembroke providing the opposition.
Pembroke batted first and made 110 for 7, with Graham Uzell taking 2-11 and Rooney 2-14. County had wickets in hand in their reply but just couldn't keep up with the run rate and ended up with 107 for 5, Rooney hitting an unbeaten 25 and Mark Fox 15.
Brian Smith made 50 not out for North County U-15s in their league semi with YMCA last week which was reduced to 20 overs due to bad weather. However, chasing 158 to win, they could only manage 123 for 9, with Darryl Clarke next highest scorer on 23. On Sunday North County 2nds played Clontarf, who amassed a big total of 298 for 5, with Joey Mooney ( 2-45) and Mameet Singh ( 2-63) best of the bowlers. County in reply could only manage 257 all out, with Brian Shields ( 53), Conor Sheil ( 42) and Derek Rooney ( 40) making big contributions.
North County 4ths played Pembroke the same day and Anto Coates was their star, hitting 106 as his side reached their 215 target, while the 5ths were set only 90 to win by Leinster and duly obliged.
Last Friday night all the ladies in the club got out and had a game of cricket – non-cricketers and those who had not played for a while.
Two teams were selected under the leadership of Angela Mooney and Deirdre Murphy ( sisters), with Mooney's side the winners. Afterwards they adjourned to the bar and a great night was had by all.
