Cork County 1st XI made it three wins from three in Leinster Division 2 following an impressive 49 run win on D/L away at high flying Balbriggan. Stephan Grobler and his side were coming into the match on the back of two comprehensive 9 wicket victories against North Kildare (H) and Terenure (A), respectively.
Following a slow start to the season, the return of Morne Bauer and Abubakar Saddique to the side has given a menacing look to the bowling attack with some top quality seam bowling from Bauer and Aaron Cawley in particular causing much of the damage against North Kildare and Terenure. However, on this occasion it was an impressive 138 run opening partnership between Ross Durity and Grobler put County in a commanding position to chase down the Balbriggan’s total of 257 before the rain came and put an end to proceedings.
The win at Balbriggan has left County in 4th position in Division 2 and in pursuit of both Leinster and Balbriggan in the two positions above them. Dublin University sit on top of the pile having completed their seven fixtures (receiving double points for each result) but are not permitted to be promoted so the chase for the final two promotion slots is really up for grabs following County’s upturn in form.
This season sees the introduction of a play-off match between the second last team in Division 1 and the second placed team in Division 2 to decide who goes up and who goes in the other direction. Next up for Cork County is an in-form Rush side at the Mardyke on Saturday (1 p.m.) with the north Dublin side coming off the back of a win a National Cup Quarter Final win against Balbriggan.
Leinster Division 2
P | W | T | NR | L | BP | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dublin University
|
7
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
46
|
206
|
Balbriggan
|
7
|
5
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
16
|
136
|
Leinster
|
6
|
5
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
29
|
129
|
Cork County
|
7
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
19
|
99
|
Malahide
|
7
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
4
|
11
|
91
|
Rush
|
6
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
17
|
77
|
North Kildare
|
7
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
5
|
11
|
51
|
Terenure
|
7
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
6
|
21
|
51
|
Approximate standings as of 12th July 2016.
Browse through some images from the match below courtesy of Joe Curtis ©