Weather Plays Havoc With RSA Irish Senior And National Cups

The weather wreaked havoc with the scheduled first round of the RSA Irish Senior Cup yesterday, with just six matches reaching a conclusion.

There was one of the biggest shocks in the 32 year history of the competition as Cork County, without a win in the event since 2003, beat Donemana, one of the favourites for the cup.

The Cork heroes were Morne Bauer who top scored with 68, and Siddarth Joshi who took five wickets as Cork prevailed by 15 runs (D/L) in a tense finish.

There was no such fairytale for their neighbours Cork Harlequins who were skittled for just 44 by Pembroke, with Jono Cook taking 6 for 11 as the Sydney Parade side romped to a nine wicket win.

Holders Clontarf progressed beating Lisburn by eight wickets. Irish internationals Alex Cusack (33*) and Andrew Poynter (30*) sharing an unbroken third wicket partnership of 66 as they chase down a revised target of 101.

Coleraine beat CIYMS by 18 runs, restricting their opponents to 120 for 8 in 26 overs chasing 139.

Bready also won in the NW, with Warriors player David Barr top scoring with 82 in their total of 176 for 3 in 30 overs. Spinner Marc Fleming then claimed 4 for 5 as Ballymena were dismissed for 85.

There was drama at Eglinton where the home side forfeited the match against North Down following a delay in the production of Duckworth Lewis copies between the innings. On the field, North Down had scored 81 for 4 in the game which had been reduced to ten overs.

There was play but no finishes in four games, with Civil Service North and St Johnston managing just 9 balls before the heavens opened. At North County, Ardmore scored 136/7 with Andrew Riddles (50*) and Gary Neely (43*) sharing an 8th wicket stand of 77 after Eddie Richardson (3-25) had reduced them to 59 for 7. The home side were 17/1 chasing a revised target of 86 in 16 overs when play was halted.

It was a similar story at Milverton, where Bob Robinson top scored with 73 as Glendermott were dismissed for 199. The Hills were set a target of 88 in 13 overs but yet again the weather won the day with them 54 for 2 in seven overs.

Three wickets apiece for Deon Carolus and Tom Stanton saw Merrion dismiss Muckamore for 118, but yet again the elements had the final say.

There was no play possible at all in the other matches. The outstanding fixtures will now be played on or before Sunday May 25th, with Friday the 23rd May being the default date if there is no agreement between the two teams.

The RSA National Cup was even harder hit with only two results achieved on the pitch - Midleton beating Ballaghaderreen and Galway beating Kerry in a thriller.

The draws for both competitions will be made on Tuesday May 13, with the RSA Irish Senior Cup draw being made on BBC Radio Foyle on their morning programme at 08:30am and the RSA National Cup draw at 11:30 on NEAR FM.