County on revenge mission

CRICKET WEEKEND PREVIEW:NORTH COUNTY will arrive at Sydney Parade this morning on something of a revenge mission in their Lewis Hohn Williams Cup semi-final against Pembroke (11.0).

Three weeks ago their chances of winning a third straight Irish Senior Cup title came a cropper at the hands of today’s opponents as they lost on home ground by just a solitary run in a rain-affected game.

They have since earned a measure of revenge with a nine-wicket league victory, although Pembroke were weakened by the absence of Under-19 internationals Andrew Balbirnie and Graham McDonnell on that occasion.

They are both back for today’s game, while North County will look to Ireland internationals John Mooney and Andre Botha to stamp their class on proceedings. County, though, will be without new signing Thinus Fourie, who is ineligible after playing with NCU club CIYMS for the first half of the summer.

The other semi-final between The Hills and Clontarf at Milverton sees the two sides meet at the same stage for a second year.

Clontarf prevailed on their home patch last time around, when half-centuries from Adrian D’Arcy and Rod Hokin helped them post 242 for nine off their 60 overs, before four wickets from Ireland international Alex Cusack and three from Hokin helped bowl out the visitors for just 172.

They also rolled over a Hills side missing Jeremy Bray for just 88 in a league match at Castle Avenue at the start of June, but home advantage and the return of the hard-hitting opener will make life tougher for Clontarf as they attempt to win a third straight Senior Cup title this year.

FIXTURES

Saturday:Lewis Hohn Williams Cup semi-finals (11.0): Pembroke v North County, Sydney Parade; The Hills v Clontarf, Milverton. Sunday: Leinster Senior League, Section A (1.0): Leinster v Railway Union, Rathmines; Clontarf v Pembroke, Castle Avenue; The Hills v North County, Milverton. Section B: Phoenix v CYM, Phoenix Park, 11.0.