CRICKET: The engraver has his machine poised at the ready to etch the name of reigning champions North County onto the trophy for Section A of the WMK League as they are 42 points clear at the top with a game in hand over the only two sides that could catch them, Malahide and Clontarf.

With County beating Munster by eight wickets in the Mardyke on Saturday and Malahide losing to Rush in Milverton yesterday, only a freak set of results can prevent the title going back to Balrothery for another year.

At the bottom of the table, too, it looks like a fait accompli with Rush putting clear water between themselves and the apparently doomed CYM and Munster.

It was another frustrating weekend for CY as they were bowled out for 74 by Phoenix on Saturday and duly lost by 10 wickets. Then, yesterday in Terenure, they seemed to have the beating of Clontarf, bowling them out for just 116, only to collapse to 50 all out themselves. They now look destined for Section B cricket in 2006.

Just who will replace them and Munster in Section A is perhaps a more interesting question, with YMCA, The Hills and Railway Union all vying for the honour.

YM put their disappointment of losing to Merrion on Thursday behind them with a convincing win over the Anglesea Road side on Saturday.

Wayne Murray (66) and Alan Lewis (63) eased their side to victory by eight wickets after Esham Ahmed (3-32) and friends had reduced Merrion to 164 all out.

That win puts YM 26 points clear at the top but they have now played all their games while The Hills have two and Railway three games remaining. But The Hills and Railway have still to play each other so while YM could be overhauled by either of the teams, it is unlikely to be both.

The Hills had a thrilling win over Merrion in Anglesea Road yesterday, winning by five runs. Michael Lax top-scored for The Hills with 105 as his side reached 265 for 8 off their 50 overs.

Merrion got agonisingly close - as they have done so often this year - only to fall at the line. With nothing now left to play for, Merrion will perhaps be glad to see the back of this season. Mind you, lest we forget, while the league has been a pretty ordinary experience for them they did have a thoroughly satisfying victory in the inaugural LHW 20/20 Murray Cup back in July.