CRICKET/Weekend round-up: It was a good weekend for Leinster clubs in the Irish Senior Cup with nine out of 11 winning through to the second round. The biggest shock was perhaps Phoenix's performance against last year's finalists Strabane, one of the most consistent sides on the island.

Perhaps people have been too quick to write off Phoenix this year after they lost the likes of Jeremy Bray and Chris Torissi but one forgets they still have the likes of Thinus Fourie and David Langford-Smith in their ranks.

For once, it was Fourie's bowling rather than his batting that shone as he took three wickets for just seven runs in restricting Strabane to 153 all out at Strabane Park. And often confused for a bowler instead of the genuine all-rounder he is, David Langford-Smith hit 52 not out as Phoenix passed the Strabane total for the loss of seven wickets.

Elsewhere, Alan Lewis proved he still has what it takes at the highest domestic level with a classy 80 not out to see YMCA home by nine wickets against Instonians at Shaw's Bridge. Simon Wilson-Moore hit his highest senior score with an unbeaten 79 as YM comfortably chased Inst's 189 with nine wickets and 10 overs to spare.

As expected, Pembroke overcame Cork County at Sydney Parade thanks to a century from Johnny Byrne and teenager Fintan McAllister led Rush to an emphatic victory over Derriaghy with his second senior hundred. McAllister can probably count himself unlucky not to be included in the preliminary Ireland squad of 30 for the upcoming ICC Trophy considering the dearth of quality wicketkeepers available to coach Adi Birrell. One feels, however, that with youth on his side, it is merely a question of when rather than whether he makes his Ireland debut.

With Railway Union, North County, Malahide, Merrion and Clontarf all registering wins over their cross-border counterparts, it was only The Hills and CYM that let the southern side down. That said, Glendermott did very well to chase Hills's total of 311 at The Rectory while Lisburn, who beat CYM by five wickets, will be there or there abouts at the final shake-up.

In the big game up North, Waringstown took care of business at The Lawn with an impressive 90-run win over Donemana. There were also wins for Downpatrick, Ballyspallen and North Down which should produce some very interesting ties when the draw for the next round is made on Wednesday.