Pembroke Defeat Rush in Record-Breaking Win under Theo's leadership and his leading by example with the bat and the gloves at times, the level of performance has been inspiring to the rest of us. Monday's victory against Rush was an example of just how good this side can be. If we had just been using the runs that Robin alone scored, we would still have won by over 60 runs! As it turns out, Robin's knock of 219 is the highest ever from a Pembroke player beating Micky Williamson's 195 v Clontarf in 1948, pushing Kugs to 3rd for his 189. So many congratulations to him on this amazing achievement. Incidentally 219 is the 2nd highest individual score ever in Leinster Senior League or Cup and 412 is Pembroke's highest ever total in limited overs cricket and second of all time. Titles to follow let's hope!
Monday night saw the end of the Whelan cup campaign for the Fifths, as they fell to Adamstown. In the continued absence of skipper Kieran Vulker, Craig Senior won the toss and elected to bat. A fine opening partnership between Sean Smith and Donal Clissmann got the side off to a good, run-a-ball, start before Sean fell. Next gone was Donal as he ran two whilst his partner never left his crease. I say ran two, but it was more 1 and nine tenths as he failed to regain his ground. Brian Bannigan fell next ball, top edging to the keeper. Simon Heaney and Steve McCarthy together with Ben Sissini and new boy Bryan Mollens ensured Pembroke managed a competitive, if not an imposing, total of 118. Adamstown managed to reach their target in the 13th over, aided in the main by their number three who scored a highly impressive 79 from 49 balls including 31 from one 8 ball over (Whelan Cup is 15 eight ball overs). Pembroke did manage to take 7 wickets to retain some hope, but ultimately put down too many catches, including two by Craig Senior and the old adage of "catches win matches" was once again proven. Bryan Mollen impressed with both bat and ball and along with Fiachra Tucker and Sam Byers can expect to be playing at a higher standard shortly. The Fifths will revert to the leadership of the unbeaten Kieran Vulker for a double header this weekend, whilst defeated skipper Craig Senior returns chastised to the Sixth XI to lead them on their Bank Holiday tour of the South East for games versus Ballyeighan and Wexford.
Saturday 26th May
RSA Senior Cup: Pembroke 1 bt Rush by 223 runs.
T. Lawson 78, R. Russell 70*, B. McCarthy 62.
P. Lawson 7-12
Pinklington Plate: Pembroke W1 bt North Kildare by 8 wickets
Division 7: Pembroke 4 bt Knockharley by 42 runs
S. Gupta 38, Joseph Doherty 35*
F. Khan 3-40, P. Gourav 3-20
Sunday 27th May
Senior 2 Cup: Pembroke 2 bt Clontarf by 4 wickets
P. Lawson 2-33, J. Balbirnie 2-22
G. Baugh 58, J. Balbirnie 47, J. Walia 34*
Division 7: Leinster bt Pembroke 4 by 7 wickets
S. Roberts 23, S. Bromfiled 35
Justin Doherty 2-33
Minor Cup: Railway Union bt Pembroke 7
Monday 28th May
Whelan Cup: Adamstown bt Pembroke 5 by 3 wickets
S. Smith 23, D Clissmann 24
B. Mollen 2-24, C.Senior 2-10
R&SPU managed to reach their target in the 20th over despite some excellent work in the field. Dave Lacey followed his opening bowling spell with a fabulous diving catch and then returned to bowling to keep R&SPU in check. Max McNamara followed his batting cameo with some good deliveries, whilst Dave McCarthy marked his return to Pembroke colours with a nice tight spell. The revelation though was James Creswell with his medium pace on a nagging length. It will not be the last time we see his arm turning over. However, R&SPU managed to get across the line and now go through to the quarter finals and we go to the South East
The 4's also lost their re-fixed first round match in the YM Salver to YMCA. Having won the toss, Justin elected to field. Pembroke bowled and fielded very well and restricted YMCA to 123 in 20 overs. But alas, the Pembroke chase came up short again. Despite a very good 50 from Sean Bromfield, he was without decent partnerships to help carry the 4's to their target.