Match Report: Junior Cup Final Limerick CC 2nd XI vs Cork Harlequins CC 2nd XI
A Dominant Display by Limerick
In a one-sided affair at The Manor Fields Adare, Limerick CC 2nd XI secured a convincing 118-run victory over Cork Harlequins CC 2nd XI in the MCU Junior Cup Final. Limerick’s batsmen put on a formidable display, setting a challenging target of 233/9. Cork Harlequins were unable to keep pace, being bowled out for only 115.
Limerick’s Innings: A Solid Foundation
Limerick’s innings was anchored by several key players, who all made significant contributions to the total. Anvesh Bogavelly top scored with 44. His ability to rotate the strike and find the boundaries consistently proved invaluable. Sumukh Ventatesh added 41, as did U15 player Ayan Ullah, who played with skill far beyond his years. Karthik Maniaraas also chipped in with a handy 34. Although there were no individual high scores, it was very much a case of the team contributing to an impressive overall scoreline, and it was a testament to the determination and doggedness of the Limerick unit.
Cork Harlequins’ Struggle
Cork Harlequins’ batting lineup faced a stiff challenge from Limerick’s bowlers. Sarfraz Ramay and Anvesh Bogavelly were particularly effective, picking up multiple wickets. The Cork batsmen struggled to build partnerships and were consistently under pressure from the accurate bowling. At 4-14 by the 5th over, the Harlequins challenge was effectively over. Contributions from Sidharth (25) and Nazmul Hasan Sajib (23) were notable, as were the 3 ducks and 4 single-figure scores that meant the Quins innings subsided to 115 all out.
Limerick’s bowlers shared the wickets-
Sarfraz Ramay 2-11 Dharmesh Patel 2-11 Ramoji Alla 2-13 and Manoj Sharma 2-29 Congratulations to Limerick CC for an outstanding all-round performance in winning the 2024 Junior Cup.
The victorious Limerick 2nd XI team: Back Row – Manoj Sharma, Sumukh Venkatesh Prasad, Sathya Prabhu, Karthik Karur, Dharmesh Patel, Anvesh Bogavelly, Pavan Prajapati. Front Row – Ramoji Alla, Yogesh Borghare, Ayan Ullah, Nishant Kumar, Arslan Sayyam, Sarfraz Ramay
Match Report: Senior Cup Final Cork County CC 1st XI vs Cork Harlequins CC 1st XI
Dull and overcast conditions greeted the players as they arrived at the iconic Mardyke on Sunday 5th August for the Munster Cricket Union showcase fixture of the cricketing calendar- the Senior Cup Final. It seemed destined that there would be rain interruptions, and so it proved to be. Umpires Declan Earley and James Spencer duly called the captains to the centre for the toss. Quins’ skipper Shivam Kislay won the toss and promptly elected to bowl, and his Cork County counterpart Diarmuid Carey told his players to pad up and prepare for battle.
The County openers strode to the middle, and made an immediate impact. The tall, enigmatic South African Mark Adrianatos in particular made his presence felt with some powerful strokeplay resulting in the ball crossing the ropes 4 times. His partner Gautam scored 21 before falling to the bowling of Matt Brewster in the 11th over, courtesy of a sharp catch by Seanan Jones. Brewster also claimed the prized scalp of Adrianatos for 27 in his next over, adjudged LBW.
The County innings faltered with the wickets of Marris and Durity falling in quick succession to leave the hosts at an uncomfortable 4-75. A middle order fightback by Upman (38), O’Sullivan (33) and Ghaffar (35*) saw the scoreboard situation improve considerably, but regular wickets at the other end saw the innings come to an end at a score of 211, which most pundits considered to be under par, but reasonable given the greasy conditions.
Considering the rain delays, wet outfield and damp ball, the Cork Harlequins squad could be well pleased with their efforts. The standout bowler was Matt Brewster, who took a creditable 4-46 off his ten overs. Adam Hickey 2-36 (10) and Seanan Jones 2-46 (10) also took key wickets.
The on-off-again drizzly rain continued to mar the game and cause problems as Quins began their reply. Openers Powale and Hickey set out their stall, with Adam Hickey in particular taking the long sword to the County attack. The partnership was finally broken in the ninth over with the score on 48, Powale being caught by Marris, off the bowling of Mark Andrianatos. Hickey was dismissed in the very next over, being snared by O’Sullivan with a ball that popped up on him, and the batter gave the simplest of return catches.
The momentum was still very much with Cork Harlequins, who were scoring at above the required rate should the rain intervene. Matt Brewster and Ryan Joyce were settling in nicely, when the rain came again, as it had done throughout the day. It appeared the main obstacle to a Quins charge towards claiming the Cup was if the requisite 20 overs to constitute a match were not completed to allow a DLS calculation to come into play. It came to pass that the last rain delay indeed proved terminal, and the umpires had little option but to call the game off with only 14 overs having been bowled. No result.
The Munster Cricket Union Senior Cup Final will be replayed on Sunday 1st September.
Match Report: Minor Cup Final Cork County CC 3rd XI vs Clare CC 2nd XI
Cork County Clinch MCU Minor Cup in Thriller
Cork County CC 3rd XI secured a thrilling victory over Clare CC 2nd XI to claim the MCU Minor Cup at Farmers Cross, Cork. The match was almost abandoned due to rain, but the ground staff’s heroic efforts ensured the final could proceed.
Batting first, Clare compiled a total of 192 runs in 24.5 overs. Ahmad Khan top-scored with 69 runs, while R. Singh contributed 29. Cork’s Ishaan Singh Seehra was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets for 31 runs.
In reply, Cork County chased down the target with relative ease, finishing on 197 for the loss of just three wickets. Arpit Ahuja led the way with 64 runs, while Rahul Sethi and Donald Marakassery remained unbeaten on 53 and 32 respectively. Extras contributed 39 runs to Cork’s total.
This convincing win sees Cork County lift the MCU Minor Cup trophy.
