CRICKET: A chanceless 100 from Bryn Thomas brightened up a murky day in Balrothery on Saturday as The Hills coasted to a surprise, five-wicket victory over Clontarf in the Conqueror Senior Cup, Leinster's premier knock-out competition.

Favourites Clontarf can have no one to blame but themselves for this defeat. Winning the toss, skipper Trent Johnston decided to bat in conditions favourable to seam bowling. They duly collapsed to 71 for 6 as The Hills' bowlers made the most of the moisture in the track and the overcast atmosphere.

In particular, the Clinton brothers, Luke and Joe, put the ball in great areas throughout Clontarf's innings, making them fight for every run. Luke ended with figures of 2-22 off 12 overs, including the prize scalp of Jeremy Bray, while Joe took 3-34.

In fact the game would have been even more one-sided if not for a fine innings of 99 by number seven batsman Greg Molins.

It didn't go all The Hills' way after the resumption. Alex Cusack took a couple of early wickets for Clontarf, and when young Eoghan Delany's quicker ball trapped Michael Lax lbw, who was quickly followed back to the pavilion by Keith Peinke, it was game on at 95 for 4.

But a crucial 92-run partnership between Bryn Thomas and Patrick Byrne killed off the game and ensured The Hills their third cup win, their first since 1996.

Meanwhile, in Claremont Road yesterday, Ireland's women were outclassed by world champions Australia as they fell to a 240-run defeat. Ireland had actually started brightly, taking the first two Aussie wickets with just 34 on the board. But Karen Rolten and Lisa Sthalekar put on 244 for the third wicket to push their side just short of the 300 mark off 50 overs.

Rolten was eventually out caught and bowled by Jill Whelan for 151 and Sthalekar was left unbeaten on 100.

In reply, only Cecelia Joyce made double figures for Ireland, hitting 18 before being trapped lbw.

Today Ireland play Australia again, this time in College Park (10.45 start).