CRICKET: As the Leinster Senior League, sponsored by Lewis Hohn Williams, stutters to a (hopefully) more vibrant re-start this weekend, the various sets of representative selectors will be casting watchful eyes a bit further down the line in anticipation of the start of the Regional Challenge 2003, the first round of which begins a week hence at four Dublin venues.
Last year's inaugural competition was a near non-event, in case anyone needs reminding, thanks to the weather, and the Southern XI were the eventual winners. This time around, four, rather than three, regions will be involved, as Munster Reds are incorporated with the Southern XI, while North Leinster resumes its former identity. And, thankfully, the meaningless two-day fixtures have been dropped.
At the time of writing, only the Southern XI have been announced, while the North Leinster team is being selected on Saturday night.
It looks a strong Southern selection, and cricket followers in Ireland's Deep South will be gratified by the inclusion of two Munster Reds players: Ted Williamson, who made his sole Ireland appearance to date back in 1998, and Bruce Koch.
Also included is wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien, who has been given the all-clear by Kent for the occasion. The Southern XI will be captained by Michael Lax of CYM.
But back to domestic matters. Last weekend the rain ensured there were only three results in the two sections of the league, as Merrion defeated CYM by seven wickets, while Dublin University lost twice away - to Leinster and Phoenix by four and seven wickets, respectively. Trinity have a respite over this weekend, but next week will be away to Railway Union on Tuesday and to Clontarf on Thursday.
Of last weekend's winners, Merrion will be at home to North County, while Leinster also will have home advantage when they take on Phoenix in what looks a promising confrontation.
The Irish Cricket Union's (ICU) first full-time chief executive officer, Peter Thompson, was wheeled out officially in Belfast during the week, and a similar introduction is planned for Dublin in the immediate future. Thompson (32), was formerly head of marketing at Warwickshire County Cricket Club and will be Dublin-based; undoubtedly, his appointment is a major step in the right direction for the ICU.
The ICU has announced that about half of the tickets for Ireland's one-day international match against South Africa at Castle Avenue on Wednesday, June 18th, have already been sold. Applications should be made to Sportstickets.com.
FIXTURES
SATURDAY: Leinster Senior League Section A (12.30): Merrion v North County, Anglesea Road; Rush v CYM, Kenure; Malahide v Old Belvedere, Malahide.
Leinster Senior League Section B (12.30): Pembroke v Clontarf, Sydney Parade; Leinster v Phoenix, Rathmines.
North West League Section One (1.00): Donemana v Glendermott, The Holm; Fox Lodge v Eglinton, Ballymagorry; Ardmore v Bready, The Bleach Green; Drummond v Strabane, Drummond; Brigade v Limavady, Beechgrove.
SUNDAY: Leinster Senior League Section A: The Hills v Merrion, Milverton, 12.30.
UMPIRES
SATURDAY: Leinster Senior League Section A: At Malahide: A Tuffery, N Parnell; At Anglesea Road: E Gilmour, P Thew; At Kenure: S Daultrey, G Lyons. Leinster Senior League Section B: At Rathmines: J Connolly, D Walsh; At Sydney Parade: M Russell, R O'Reilly. Middle A League: At Phoenix CC: L Hewson, B Goodwin. Middle B League: At Terenure: J Ford, N Adams. Senior Two League: At Civil Service CC: C Colleran, T Byrne. Senior Three League: At Balbriggan: C McIntyre, P J Carroll.
SUNDAY: Leinster Senior League Section A: At Milverton: L Fourie, R Molins. Middle A League: At North Kildare CC: J Connolly, J Bristow. Middle B League: At Phoenix CC: M Russell, J Mooney. Senior Two League: At Malahide: S McCann, M Sheridan; At Sydney Parade: L Hogan, B Stein. Senior Three League: At Castle Avenue: N Parnell, E Gilmour; At Terenure: B Noone, G Lyons; At Anglesea Road: J Fennell, S Daultrey.
TEAMS
SOUTHERN INTER-REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP XI (v NWCU, Saturday May 17th and v NCU, Sunday May 18th): M Lax (CYM, capt), J Blakeney (Merrion/Dublin University), P Davy (Pembroke), R Hastie (Pembroke), C Hosford (YMCA/Dublin University), D Joyce (Merrion/Dublin University), B Koch (Munster Reds), N O'Brien (Railway Union), E Whaley (Pembroke), R Whelan (Railway Union), T Williamson (Munster Reds). 12th man: K Carroll (Railway Union). Note: For the Sunday match, Kenny Carroll comes into the team instead of Dom Joyce, and is replaced by Kevin O'Brien (Railway Union) as 12th man.
