Victory for first team in Cork

Clare I and II travelled to Cork over the weekend to face Harlequins and County respectively. The second team suffered a defeat on Saturday, however, the following day saw Clare I record a fine victory over the home team.
Clare II travelled to Cork more in hope than expectation on Saturday. The team is being used as a development squad to give younger and less experienced players a taste of the Munster league and, while results have been disappointing, the team is gaining much-needed experience.

Played in the Mardyke grounds, the weather was set fair and Clare opened the batting. Cork had packed their side with first team regulars so the task facing Clare was huge. Despite facing the fastest bowling attack in the league, the Clare batsmen dug in and tried to bat out the 45 overs. In the end they were all out for a respectable 113.

With strong batsmen, Cork were on the offensive from the start. An early wicket for Clare aside, the home team sailed to victory without too many difficulties. Clare spilled a few catches that may have put more pressure on the Rebels but, in the end, the Leesiders reached their victory target and won by nine wickets.

The next day Clare I made the trip to Cork Harlequins in a Division 1 encounter. The home side batted first and their opening partnership got Quins off to a flyer until Farukh dismissed both openers. Several home batsmen played themselves in but failed to go on to get big scores as the Clare bowlers toiled away in hot conditions. Jitender was the pick of the Clare attack taking five wickets and was ably supported by Farukh and Sukhpal with two wickets apiece. Quins finally reached 177 runs.

In reply, despite losing an early wicket, Clare opener Rajwinder smashed nine boundaries in a quick 41 and, in partnership with Ranjit, Farman finished the job in style as he complied a match-winning 61 runs not out including five huge sixes. Clare reached their target of 178 runs for the loss of only four wickets to record a comprehensive victory.

All thoughts now turn to this Sunday’s encounter with Cork County I in the semi final of the Munster Senior Cup. This is a huge game in the development of Clare cricket as they take on the well-established and highly fancied Cork team who have been playing a much higher grade of cricket over many years. The Clare lads have been training hard for this match and they will go into Sunday’s game full of confidence after the victory over Quins.