Limerick were looking to turn to winning ways yesterday as they were tasked with taking on table-toppers Galway at their home ground in Lycidan. Skipper Ajay Hari lost the contest of the toss and was put into field by the hosts as conditions were perfect for a day’s cricket.

The game was played at a steady pace with Limerick short on seamers due to a number of injuries. Nonetheless, Prasad Hegde found an early edge to dismiss Burra at 37-1. Galway’s run-rate slowed down significantly after this point and Limerick looked somewhat in the game at 73-1 after 20 overs, but the hosts were able to accelerate with some big hits to the short boundaries, setting a target of 290. 

Limerick were under pressure from the outset, losing both Ajay Hari and Nishant Kumar early. The middle order could not offer much response to the moving ball as fielders were picked out by both Bogavelly and Venkatesh to leave the score at 30-4. Sourabh Teke dug in for a brave 32 from 59 deliveries, he was supported by Arslan Anwar at the other end who top-scored with 48 from 61 deliveries. A procession of wickets fell after drinks and Limerick only batted until the 35th over with a final score of 135.

RESULT| MCU Premier League.

We lost to County Galway by 154 runs today. 

County Galway 1: 289-7 in 50 overs.

Sumukh Venkatesh 2-36

Prasad Hegde 2-46

                             

Limerick 1: 135 all out off 35.1 overs.

Arslan Anwar 48

Sourabh Teke 32

                                           * * *

The 2nd XI continued their winning streak in Division One with a slender victory over Nenagh on Saturday afternoon. With some tough days in Ballyeighan in recent years, Nishant Kumar’s side knew they were going to be up against it with an experienced Nenagh side on the cards. After winning the toss, the hosts elected to bat. 

Waqas Mehmood has been in and out of the team this year but showed his worth with a fantastic opening spell with the new ball, taking two wickets at the expense of just 11 runs in his opening six overs.He was backed up by Sathya Prabhu and the bright Mohit Malik who chipped in thereafter with one a piece as Nenagh found themselves struggling on 70-5 after 21 overs.Their middle order did offer some resistance with opener Deekshith Reddy continuing to thwart the Limerick attack. He would be eventually dismissed by Sarfraz Ramay for 53 as Manoj Sharma and Ramoji came in from opposite ends to mop up the tail as Nenagh finished 182 all out.

Despite the loss of Sathya Prabhu early, a second wicket stand of 55 runs between Nishant Kumar and Arslan Sayyam allowed Limerick to hit the ground running in the run chase. A mini-collapse ensued however, as the visitors lost three wickets for just 4 runs. A ripple effect meant 77-4 turned into 85-6 meaning another 98 runs were needed with just four wickets to spare. Runs were consolidated in the form of Yogesh Borghare (29) and Manoj Sharma (35) before Sarfraz Ramay chipped in with 12 from 24 balls leaving Limerick on 163-8. Manoj was dismissed with just one run needed and the final pair of Waqas Mehmood and Mohit Malik got the side over the line in the 43rd over to seal a narrow win.

RESULT| MCU Division One.

We defeated Nenagh by 1 wicket today. 

Nenagh 1: 182 all out off 42.4 overs.

Waqas Mehmood 2-11

Mohit Malik 2-21

Limerick 2: 186-9 off 43 overs.

Arslan Sayyam 38

Manoj Sharma 35

                                           * * *

The tables were turned on Sunday afternoon however as Nenagh’s 2nd XI were able to get over the line against the 3rd XI in Adare, a final wicket stand of 40 runs from 57 balls sealing the deal for the visitors.

Limerick struggled to build partnerships batting first, but a mature knock of 50 runs from Monish Pawar at number 3 guided Limerick above the century mark giving the bowlers something to defend. Neeraj Kumar chipped in with a breezy 25 from 45 deliveries to offer his two pence. Batting up until the 39th over, from the allocated 40, meant the Shannonsiders could take full advantage of the 43 extras and finish on 151 all out.

Mohit Malik was once again providing some varied attack to the Nenagh batsmen, taking a deserving two wickets. The first second change bowlers managed to keep things tight, most notably Neeraj Kumar who took 2-10 in 8 overs, including three maidens. But Limerick couldn’t push on despite having the batting order strangled at 101-8, two significant partnerships for the final two wickets was enough for the away side to come away with victory.

RESULT| MCU Division Two.

We lost to Nenagh by 1 wicket today. 

Limerick 3: 151 all out off 38.5 overs.

Monish Pawar 50

Neeraj Kumar 25

Nenagh 2: 153-9 off 39.4 overs.

Neeraj Kumar 2-10

Muhammed Ammar 2-22

                                           * * *

The bowling display of the weekend had to go to the 4th XI on Saturday afternoon who rattled through their opposition in fine fashion. Two wickets each for both Darshan Dwarakanath and Waqar Ahmed had the Blasters in all spots of bother, and they were more than amply supported by Shravan Chandra who blitzed his way through the batting order with four wickets in a fine spell. Blasters were all out for just 93 in 20 overs.It was a great overall team performance, be it Shravans 4 wickets, Waqar's 2 including a brilliant c&b, Vinays runout, Skandans 2 caught behinds, and Darshan finishing the final 2 wickets in the 21st over.

The target did not seem so small however as the top order failed to control the game and the balance of the game tipped back to an even contest as Limerick were 21-5 after 7 overs. A match-winning partnership followed with two youngsters Skandan Lakshmanan (12 from 31 balls) and Eshan Tanveer (15 from 44 balls) forging a 27-run stand to get the side within touching distance. Jeevan then took the reins and continued on, but kept going though saw 2 more quick wickets fall at the other end, leaving 23 runs to get with 1 wicket in hand. Adnan played the most important 0 (21) against some very good bowling and blocking a few unplayable toe-crushers and gave the support that Jeevan needed to bring it home.

RESULT| MCU Division Three.

We defeated Limerick Blasters by 1 wicket today. 

Limerick Blasters 3: 93 all out off 20.4 overs.

Shravan Chandra 4-39

Darshan Dwarankanath 2-12

Limerick 4: 95-9 off 30.1 overs.

Jeevan Krishna 25*

Eshan Tanveer 15

                                           * * *

After a long break the U15 side were back in action with a 30-over game against Cork County taking place in UCC grounds at Curraheen Park. Limerick put in a defiant performance with the ball, in particular Charlie Wharton who spun his way to three wickets. The bowling unit completed their duties in style to finish the innings in just 15 overs.

In response, Limerick made short work of the target with Ayan Ullah, Eshan Tanveer and Skandan Laksmanan finishing things off in just the fifth over to give Limerick a significant 9-wicket victory.

RESULT| MCU U15 Superleague.

We defeated Cork County by 9 wickets today.

Cork County U15: 59 all out off 15 overs.

Charlie Wharton 3-9

Chinmay Shinde 2-6

Yousaf Ramay 2-1

Limerick U15: 60-1 off 4.1 overs. 

Ayan Ullah 26*

Eshan Tanveer 10

                                           * * *

All four teams will stay in action this weekend which sees two games in Adare and two games on the road. The highlight of the weekend ensures to be the 2nd XI’s trip to the Mardyke in a winner-takes-all affair for the Division One title against Cork County on Saturday afternoon. The 4th XI will meanwhile host Clonmel and look to take back-to-back victories. The 1st XI will have an opportunity to redeem themselves in Midleton on Sunday whilst the 3rd XI take on the rivals Limerick Blasters in Adare, both starting at 12pm.