Limerick’s 2nd XI suffered back to back defeats on Saturday when they conceded defeat to local rivals Limerick Blasters at the Manor Fields on Saturday afternoon. Perfect conditions were favourable to batting and that is exactly what the Limerick captain Nishant Kumar decided. 

Although looking for a score of well above 200, the home side found themselves tangled throughout their innings. Blasters were able to take early wickets and 18-3 at the end of the fourth over meant a rebuild was needed to salvage a defendable target. The hosts highest partnership came at the fourth wicket for just 21 runs and when the Blasters struck again through Poulouse on the 10th, a collapse ensued with an embarrassing highest score of 16, albeit with extras making 20. Limerick 79 all out and still 15 overs left the innings. 

But in a dramatic turn of events, the unexpected occurred with Blasters unable to withstand the new ball. Youngster William Shields, on the back of his international call-up last year, caused havoc early doors and was unlucky not to get more than one. Alla made up for the wickets at the other end, and the two complimented each other beautifully to give Limerick a fighting chance as Blasters found themselves in all sorts of trouble at 24-6. 

The game was set up for a grandstand finish, and the introduction of Sarfraz Ramay allowed for the key dismissal of George Raju. Ramay further added two wickets and it was all to play for at 59-9, with the home side almost favoured to come out on top incredibly. Blasters were able to make a 21-run partnership for the final wicket to win the game, but it wasn’t without a mountain of pressure and a few nervous moments from both sides in what was an enthralling race to the finish line.

RESULT| MCU Division One.

We lost to Limerick Blasters by 1 wicket yesterday.

Limerick 2: 79 all out off 25 overs. 

Vinaykumar Nagaraju 16

Sarfraz Ramay 11

Limerick Blasters 1: 80-9 off 29.1 overs.

Ramoji Alla 4-13

Sarfraz Ramay 3-22

                                           * * *

Limerick’s 3rd XI suffered defeat to the hands of a strong Nenagh side in Division Two on Sunday afternoon. With the hopes of getting their season up and running, skipper Waqas Mehmood won the toss and like Kumar, elected to bat on home soil. It was once again the opening of Bharadwaj Mysore which brought stability to the Limerick innings, and despite being retired hurt on the 30-run mark, Mysore returned at the loss of the fifth wicket to continue his innings to a maiden half century in LCC colours. The shots struggled to add individual scores to this with Prabu’s late cameo of 30 from 28 deliveries ensuring Limerick reached 154 with the bat. 

Limerick deserved their early wickets to get an upper hand in the game, Shinde again with the new ball was better this time round as he picked up three wickets which was matched by his skipper who himself, finished with admirable figures of 3-22. Nenagh however did enough to get to what was always going to be an achievable target, as they were helped by 37 extras which was very crucial in hindsight.

RESULT| MCU Division Two.

We lost to Nenagh by 3 wickets today.

Limerick 3: 154-9 off 40 overs. 

Bharadwaj Mysore 51

Sathya Prabu 30*

Nenagh 2: 155-7 off 36.1 overs.

Waqas Mehmood 3-22

Chinmay Shinde 3-37

                                           * * *

Two games for the club next weekend sees the 2nd and 4th XIs taking a break whilst youth cricket is prolonged due to school exams. 

The club’s 1st XI will be in National Cup action on Saturday afternoon as they make the long travel up to Bangor in County Antrim, looking to reach the second round of the competition for the first time in over three seasons. 

Meanwhile, the 3rds are also on the road as they will be in action in Farmer’s Cross to face Cork Harlequins in Division 2.