Clontarf's Poynter takes the plaudits

CRICKET:ANDREW POYNTER laid down exactly that on Saturday in front of watching Ireland coach Phil Simmons as his unbeaten 130 led defending champions Clontarf to the semi-finals of the Antalis Leinster Senior Cup in a high-scoring encounter against Leinster at Rathmines.

With Australian professional Rod Hokin pulling out on the eve of the game with a wrist injury and set an imposing chase of 323, 'Tarf need a big century from one of their top order on what was a belter of a wicket.

Adrian D'Arcy and Dom Rigby got them off to a good start, making it to 100 before D'Arcy offered a return catch to 16-year-old spinner George Dockrell after he had hit 35.

Poynter joined the in-form Rigby at the crease and the pair kept their side up with the pace as they made it to tea on 153 for one off 32 of the allotted 60 overs.

Rigby perished soon after the break, stumped by Ian O'Herlihy as he danced down the wicket to a Dockrell delivery, his 76 coming from 98 balls and including 10 boundaries.

Leinster sensed their chance but Ireland international Alex Cusack was just the right man to enter the fray, keeping the scoreboard ticking over as his team-mate started to move through the gears. The 21-year-old Ireland A player made his 50 off 66 balls and took just 43 more to make his ton, hitting nine fours.

Cusack holed out to Mark Jones at deep mid-wicket off the bowling of Keeley Todd, but his 42 in a third-wicket stand of 127 brought Clontarf to within 38 runs of victory.

Ropu was run out for 12, leaving skipper Greg Molins to hit the winning runs, driving through extra cover for a boundary off the last ball of the 58th over.

It was Poynter who took the plaudits, even though he could hardly lift his bat to acknowledge the applause after an exhausting innings on the hottest day of the summer to date.

Poynter's knock stole the thunder from Byron Vermaak, who earlier responded to his move from his usual tail-end slot to carry his bat through Leinster's innings for an unbeaten 158 off 177 balls with 17 fours and five sixes.

The Hills won through in the closest contest of the weekend, defeating last year's beaten finalists Merrion by five runs at Anglesea Road. Mike Baumgart and Max Sorensen made half-centuries as the Skerries side made 250 off their 60 overs, while former Ireland spinner Matt Dwyer picked up three wickets as Merrion were bowled out off the first ball of the final over.