Match Reports

Mens 4th XI 2010 Match Reports

Fourth's take weekend off - 19 August 2010

Next game away in Rathdrum versus Wicklow County on Sunday.

The 4th XI also have a double weekend on 28/29 with 2 away games. Wicklow County in Three Rock Rovers, followed by North County away. Victories in both of these games is likely to see the 4th's push for promotion yield success.

Would all players please make themselves available for this end of season push. Attendance at nets on Wednesday has been poor recently and it would be good to see all available players making the effort...

Fourth's blitz Phoenix at home - 09 August 2010

Pembroke had a good day at the office on Saturday as the bowling functioned and Gary Burrows scored a very quick 73* in pursuit of 96...

Three wickets each for Joe Doherty, A Krisnan and IMAC McElwain and one for Jack Balbirnie saw Pembroke restrict Phoenix 4ths to 96. Phoenix also won the Intermediate Cup this weekend so may be excused their off day.

In reply Steve Roberts fell for 6, Ricky Mann for 5. Jack Balbirnie then scored 9 and watched from the best seat in the house as gary Burrows scored 73 not out, losing 7 balls in the process.

The target was passed in the 11th over.

Justin Doherty reports...

The fourth eleven completed another straightforward win on Saturday, beating Phoenix by eight wickets and keeping the goal of promotion alive. Phoenix were due to contest the Intermediate Cup final the following day and chose to rest a number of regulars, fielding a young team against what was a powerful Pembroke line-up.

Phoenix won the toss and batted, looking good in the early overs before Joseph Doherty settled into a nice rhythm and hustled out three of the top four with some controlled aggressive bowling. Captain Justin Doherty meanwhile toiled into the wind and kept good control, completing six overs for just 13, but without success on this occasion. Ananth Krishnan and Ian McElwain then came on to bowl, both proving to be a handful, with Ananth completing his spell with three clean bowled. Jack Balbirnie showed excellent control with his leg spin, taking 1-8, and Ian returned bowling into the wind to clean up and also finish with 3 wickets. The inexperienced Phoenix side mustered only 94 and on the mat this was never going to be enough.

Steve Roberts and Ricky Mann strolled out to knock off the 95 required, only to both find themselves quickly back in the hutch, Steve swishing loosely at a ball on leg stump and missing, Ricky nicking one through to the keeper.

Jack Balbirnie and Gary Burrows took over, and Gary soon found the Phoenix bowling to his liking. He also found the Park Avenue back gardens to his liking, or maybe had a mysterious dislike of the cricket balls Phoenix had brought along, whichever it was, out of eight maximums, only once did the ball come back. Out of a stand of 79, Gary contributed 73, plundered off only 23 balls. It was awesome hitting, but Gary made it look easy with wonderful timing, and if he can keep some of this form for next week’s Junior Cup final with the 5th XI, Pembroke will be in with a very good shout.

4th Xl Travelled to Halverstown - 04 August 2010

On the Bank Holiday with a below strength side due to numerous call offs and unavailabilities.

Next game: Phoenix @ home on Saturday.

Leinster home - 25 July 2010

Sunday at home the Fourth XI had a comprehensive win over Leinster. Fielding first Pembroke did a good job of forcing Leinster to concentrate on occupation of the crease as much as scoring runs. Faran Khan bowled his 8 overs for 8 runs, but deserved far more than a solitary wicket. He did however take two catches, which was a big improvement over Saturday's game for the Thirds. However, Faran had to take a back seat once skipper Justin Doherty came on the bowl. 5 for 14 demonstrates the tight line and length Justin quickly found. In response Leinster could only muster 124 runs, which seemed to be a long way below par.

Sam Byers and Stephen "Chillie" Willis opened Pembroke's reply and did so with a steadiness and sense of purpose which belies their ages and experience. However, one poorly called run saw Sam return to the pavilion to be replaced with Jack Balbirnie. Together Jack and "Chillie" saw Pembroke to the finishing line without further mishap. A good win for the Fourths which will all but guarantee Division 9 cricket next season, but does leave the door to promotion slightly ajar too.

In other news.... - 12 July 2010

The next game would appear to be the next round of the Intermediate Cup against Phoenix on Saturday 17 with a game versus Wicklow County the following day. On an interesting note last weeks game against Leinster (the club not the province) was reported on Leinster's website. I reproduce their report. If anyone saw the Leinster version could they get the scorecard as Ricky Mann would love the fantasy points...

Leinster report...Sunday 4th July - A tight, exciting win for Pembroke against the 6ths. A brilliant century for the Pembroke opener - scoring 130 out of 154, coming not long after the Pembroke opening bowler took a stunning 8-13 made for a great game of cricket for the Sydney Paraders. Leinster managed to get to 153-8 from their 40 overs, despite that openingn burst, Asim Mumtaz once again top scoring with 30. When Pembroke came to chase, the 6ths kept plugging away as the opener scored his magnificent ton, Khalid Chaudhary taking 3-36 to be the best bowler. Of course that might have been how it happened, without a full scorecard, I really haven't a clue. One point for the 6ths, meaning 36 from 125 (28.8%)

Leinster - Division 9 - away Sunday 4/7 - 06 July 2010

Leinster (the Club, not the province) in Kenilworth Square were beaten on Sunday with Rupert Heather scoring the winning runs off the first ball of the last over. Pembroke could not have got to this victorious point without the contribution of Ricky Mann who opened and remained the rock upon which Leinster (the club, not the province) floundered.

Pembroke had lost the toss and took to the field. Faran Khan opened the bowling and was unlucky not to gain more reward, whilst Justin Doherty bowled a good line and length which showed that this mat in Kenilworth Square was not easy to score runs on. Joseph Doherty made a case for opening the bowling in the future with good pace and accuracy. Leinster (the club, not the province) scored steadily and sometimes with pure brute force on their way to posting 154 from their 40 overs.

In reply Pembroke shuddered and shook and whilst wickets fell the runs continued to flow. Ricky Mann was the rock of consistency (if not sanity) we all know he can be and scored 40 until he finally was caught on the boundary in search of more runs. However Rupert the Heather played another of his once-a-season match winning innings in scoring 18* and had the pleasure of scoring the winning runs.

Kenilworth Square is a fine setting for a game of cricket, similar to many a public park in the South-West corner of England with Georgian houses surrounding a beautiful Georgian square. The mat does seem to have been designed in such a fashion as to ensure that balls flying out into the public domain are rare, but does provide a fine game of cricket. As with most second grounds the outfield could do with a closer cut than the one provided, but as always it is the same for both sides and is a fair test for both bat and ball.

No game scheduled next weekend and the next game would appear to be the next round of the Intermediate Cup against Phoenix on Saturday 17 with a game versus Wicklow County the following day.

Merrion - away - Intermediate Cup - 20 June 2010

Justin Doherty reports....After three encounters already this season with Merrion’s sixth team (aka the ‘Strong Merrion team’ or India A), the fourths finally got the better of difficult opponents in the first round of the Intermediate Cup on Sunday. For once allocated a grass wicket at Anglesea Rd rather than the customary mat, the toss would be significant and captain Justin Doherty duly won it and elected to bat.

Ricky Mann fell early, but Sean Smith and Guy Chilton proceeded to build a solid foundation before Guy (22) was given out lbw despite being well forward, while Sean edged to the Merrion keeper shortly afterwards. Gary Burrows and Ashwin Kailasa came together and, scoring freely, put on a big partnership of 91 runs before Gary (38) was well caught in the deep. Ashwin pushed on to reach a splendid 70 before playing round a straight ball going for another big hit. The remainder of the batters failed to reach double figures, but still pushed the score up to 206, which, on a wicket showing distinct signs of fatigue, looked to be just about enough.

Faran Khan and Stephen Willis opened the Pembroke bowling but struggled to achieve a breakthrough as the Merrion openers made a steady if unspectacular start. Ian McElwain replaced Faran but, despite a few oohs and aahs, remained wicketless. At the other end, however, Louis Hoffmann came on to bowl and picked up a wicket with his first delivery, a wobbly straight ball which Merrion’s big-hitting opener simply watched onto his stumps. Though Louis picked up another wicket, clean-bowling the Merrion no 3, the home team continued to accumulate. A big moment in the game, however, came when Gary Burrows pulled off a sensational catch at mid-on off Justin’s bowling to remove Merrion’s skipper and opening bat for a patient 39. While Merrion’s no 4 looked dangerous, the pressure was now beginning to mount, and the Merrion innings duly imploded against the teasing slow bowling of Sean Smith, who picked up three wickets in his 7^th over, just missing a hat-trick. Faran Khan returned for the coup de grace and, having removed the last serious Merrion batsman who charged at a straight ball and missed, Faran duly mopped up with two more clean bowled, narrowly missing out on a hat-trick himself. Merrion were all out for 143, a winning margin of 63 runs.

This was an extremely satisfying win, and, after losing twice to this same Merrion team already this season, to win so emphatically was particularly encouraging. Many thanks to Deepak Raj who generously agreed to umpire the game.

Merrion - home - 13 June 2010

For the third time this season Pembroke came up against Merrion. This time however the result was different to the previous two defeats. Rain came and swept this game away.

Merrion won the toss and batted first as if they had appointments elsewhere. The opener scored his fifty within the first 8 overs as the score raced away at 8 an over. However both teams were on and off the ground with more and more rain arriving. Ian McElwain took 3 wickets as Pembroke tried to put the brakes on the Merrion batting.

However, finally after taking early drinks and an even earlier tea both captains and umpires, with a little gentle prodding agreed to call the game off. It was the only possible decision with poodles appearing on the square - well it was raining cats and dogs....

Halverstown - home - 09 June 2010

Halverstown at home on Monday and despite making every effort to get some cricket eventually common sense prevailed and the match was abandoned.

A minutes silence was held for Alan Ruddock, who passed away last week whilst playing for Halverstown.

Between (and also in) showers both teams tried to get some play.

The captains reduced the number of overs before starting to maximise the chances of a completed game and tea was taken very early to reduce the chance of being inside eating during a dry spell. Pembroke fielded for 13 overs before the end came.

Next game: Sunday 13 June home to Merrion

Whelan Cup campaign falls at first hurdle - 31 May 2010

Pembroke Fourths lost tonight in the Whelan Cup.

Faran Khan fell for 2 in the first over, but worse was to come. Guy Chilton fell first ball, lbw. Two for Two after 4 balls was not the start desired nor required. Ashwin brought some runs with him clean striking some nice fours. Ricky Mann batted well for his twenty-odd score, but unfortunately ran Gary Burrows out first ball. Steve McCarthy batted well and took the Pembroke score along nicely. Wickes fell regularly but the total climbed over 110. A score that was 10 runs short of par of a run a ball.

Merrion got off to a flyer and despite two wickets falling never looked anything other than winning. Faran Khan bowled well going for 24 off 32 balls and taking one of the wickets to fall. Rupert heather was unfortunate to come up against a batsmen with talent, a natural eye for the ball and strong arms, who scored a six over the fence and into Con O'Rourke's neighbours garden which needed a stewardess on such a long flight.

Merrion reached their target with overs to spare and progress to the next round. It'll be a good team that beats Merrion.

Away - Phoenix - 23 May - 23 May 2010

The 4th XI registered their first victory in Division 9 today in the pleasant surroundings of the Phoenix Park.

Skipper Justin Doherty called tails at the toss and tails it fell. Batting first was the only correct decision on such a warm day. The factor 15 was being passed around and pasted on pasty Irish sun-drenched bare skin. Some had more to protect than others.

Steve Roberts, after his sabbatical of renovating, opened with the slightly jet-lagged Shugata Gupta. 50 was brought up before Shugata succumbed as much to his jet-lag induced tiredness as anything else. Steve Roberts then batted with control, patience and no little talent to reach 65 before being out in the first over after the second drinks.

Stephen "Chilli" Willis batted himself into form. Looking unsure at the start of his innings he blossomed at exactly the right time and can say that he has played himself into form.

Gary Burrows is another who will be pleased with his form. Batting at 4 he came in and applied himself in an effort to remain in the middle. However it was not long before he felt in good enough touch to press on. His fifty was very rapid and included taking 20 off the last five balls of the last over. One six was beautifully dispatched over midwicket which included power and timing and was a joy to see. Less artistic was the running out of Lorcan Tucker in an effort to retain the strike. Lorcan had looked very comfortable with anything Phoenix could throw at him, but could not cope with the Pembroke player at the other end.

Ashwin Kialash persihed trying to force the pace, but with wickets in hand it was not fatal.

In the unbeaten 6th wicket stand of 38 in 3 overs Craig Senior made 3, whilst Gary Burrows plundered runs left right and centre. One can only offer sympathies to the bowler wondering where to bowl next to Gary in this destructive form. If he can add consistency to his game it will be very beneficial to the Fourths season.

206 off 40 overs represented an excellent return and every batsman who got in got to score runs. It showed the value of keeping wickets in hand.

Another excellent Phoenix tea followed and specific thanks to the Phoenix bar-lady for her assistance in keeping all, but especially Craig Senior, hydrated on such a good warm and sunny day.

Phoenix in reply keep in touch with the required runrate of 5 per over, but lost wickets to Pembroke's opening bowlers. In the heat that was Sunday in Dublin Justin rotated his opening bowlers quickly Kieran Vulkar, Justin Doherty and Stephen Willis all toiled in the sun, but did manage to take the ealry wickets. This kept Phoenix hunting for a partnership which did not materialise. Rupert Heather and Ashwin Kialash bolwed from the bottom end with control and wickets whilst Craig Senior with the hill and the breeze could not take a wicket if he were still there now.

The runrate continued to rise with 8 per over becoming 11 becoming 19 per over as the Phoenix batsmen could not find the boundaries as Gary Burrows had done. Phoenix fell well short and under the new points system will have gained three bonus points whilst Pembroke get 2 plus the win.

Merrion - Away - 03 May 2010

In 1986/7 the England team were derided by the Australian media with the line, "There are only three things wrong with the England team: they can't bat, can't bowl and can't field". That apparently inept team then went onto win the Test Series and the ODI series.

Captain Justin Doherty will be hoping that Monday's game is like England's, a low point that marked the start of something special. Certainly the ingredients are in place, Faran Khan, Rupert Heather, Joseph Doherty and the wiles of Sean Smith provided youth, experience, pace and guile (not much turn though, being on a mat) on the bowling front. The fielding ranged by good to very bad with two straight forward catches grassed.

Nevertheless the area of most concern will be the batting. Too many of the top and middle order returned to the pavilion having played around straight balls, whilst those that followed failed to take advantage of the many overs they could have occupied the crease for.

Merrion 6 are a very good team and will do well in this league. They certainly do not need to resort to the type of behaviour which saw their opener and captain fail to walk to a very obvious edge to the keeper early in the game. But overall Pembroke can have no complaints about being well beaten.