Limerick await the second round of the National Cup after a hard-earned victory away to Carrickfergus on Saturday afternoon, the club’s first win against an NCU side in the competition. Having declined promotion to the NCU Premier League last year, Bogavelly’s side knew nothing short of the strongest of performances would suffice after the long trip to Belfast which began in the early hours of the morning. 

Bogavelly won the toss and elected to bat in the 1st XIs first white ball match of the season. Kumar and Dahima opened for consecutive games and ensured a good run-rate in the powerplay, earning 47 runs without loss after ten. Both fell in quick succession, confusion in the middle meant Kumar was short of his ground returning to the crease whilst Dahima was trapped LBW just a few balls later. Bogavelly lead by example from one down, and despite the loss of Karur, steadied the ship with Ullah in the middle overs to carve out a much-needed 65-run partnership with his young counterpart.

His dismissal would rock things slightly, as Carrickfergus chipped away at the middle order, grasping any aerial shots to make their way into the Limerick tail. Hegde had other ideas, punishing anything full from the opposition attacked with his long levers trashing a number of deliveries to the boundary, forming a match-winning knock of 47 from just 31. The Shannonsider’s tail wagged in moments, with Parth Borghare in particular dispatching a few loose balls in the late stages of the innings to the boundary to see his side to 203-9 at the end of their innings.

Limerick’s response with the ball was consistent. After superb opening spells from Alla and Hegde, a number of crucial wickets ensured no partnerships developed for the hosts with Alla in particular dismissing both Sharma and Parkhill. The middle overs consisted of a more measured attack, as Carrickfergus struggled to stay on par with their run-rate as wickets continued to tumble. Alla’s second spell was the winning of the game for Limerick, as he manipulated the batsman to pick out Venkatesh at mid-off on a number of occasions to stifle batting momentum. He would crown his five-wicket haul in the 35th over, with a lovely inswinger to dismiss Hood to leave the score at 154-9. A late surge from Carrickfergus brought the game back into contention, and a thrilling finale was set up with 15 runs needed off the final over. Bogavelly entrusted this over with Ajay Hari, who held his nerve to see his side home and into the next round.

RESULT| CI National Cup 

We defeated Carrickfergus by 5 runs yesterday. 

Limerick 1: 203-9 off 40 overs.

Prasad Hegde 47

Ayan Ullah 37

Carrickfergus 1: 198-9 off 40 overs.

Ramoji Alla 5-32

Prasad Hegde 2-25

                                           * * *

Victories continued for the club throughout the weekend, with Limerick’s 3rd XI back to winning ways in Division 2 after they came out on top of a nail-biting finish against Cork Harlequins in Farmer’s Cross on Saturday afternoon.

Having been put under early pressure in setting a target through the loss of some key wickets, a mix of experience and youth brought the away side back into the game with Prabu and Aziz bringing their side from 56-5 to 96-6. Prabu was dismissed for 15, but Aziz battled on to earn another 50 for the club as the youngster seemed to bat more comfortable in the middle order. Sarfraz Ramay added 24 from 19 in the latter stages, batting with a number of his proteges including Chaudhry and Tanveer, as the Shannonsiders set a target of 169.

Prabu rotated his bowling attack in clinical fashion during the Quins’ response, with the opening six wickets all taken from different bowlers. Chinmay Shinde and Yousaf Ramay both got one apiece while Aziz backed up his performance with the ball taking two wickets in the middle overs. Quins couldn’t get going as Limerick’s fielding remained sharp, as Sarfraz Ramay was then deployed by Prabu to clinch three wickets in his five-over spell, concluding a 23-run victory for the visitors.

RESULT| MCU Division Two.

We defeated Cork Harlequins by 23 runs yesterday. 

Limerick 3: 168-9 off 40 overs.

Abubakar Aziz 51

Sarfraz Ramay 24

Cork Harlequins 3: 145 all out off 36.1 overs.

Sarfraz Ramay 3-19

Abubakar Aziz 2-28

                                           * * *

A spirited performance from Limerick’s 4th XI didn’t see them home on Saturday afternoon against the Waterford Vikings in Division Five, but there was plenty to shout about for Ramji Lakshmnanan and co. who battled hard in the sun at the Manor Fields.

Vikings made 198 from their 40 overs and were largely helped by a number of extras from the home side’s attack. Ullah and Chandrashekharaiah bowled well and picked up two wickets each. Nofil Khan took the plaudits from the bowling card, finishing with figures of 3-23 from his 5 overs and a career best for him at senior level. Vercoe, on debut, picked up one with Riyan Shah also claiming a dismissal as Limerick chased 199 in response.

The hosts found it hard to consolidate any meaningful partnerships with just two batsman entering double figures, nonetheless a number of positives with some good learnings for a young side who continue to earn their crust in senior cricket.

RESULT| MCU Division Five.

We lost to Waterford Vikings by 86 runs yesterday. 

Waterford Vikings 2: 194 all out off 36.1 overs.

Nofil Khan 3-23

Arham Ullah 2-30

Limerick 4: 108 all out off overs.

Khushal Bahramkhel 21

Tom Verco 12*

                                           * * *

Limerick’s women's side earned two victories from their double-header to kickstart their campaign in style, defeating both Lismore and County Galway respectively  on Sunday afternoon at the Manor Fields.

Limerick skipper Holly Westmoreland won the toss and elected to bowl first, with a number of debutants afforded the opportunity to showcase their skills. Sana George was back to her reliable ways, impressing once again with 1-4 from 3 overs and stemming the opposition momentum early on. The bowling changes were wrung, with Limerick taking a number of wickets from run outs also to stay on top. Nimbalkar and Westmoreland both took a wicket each from their two-over spells as Lismore finished on 42-6 after their 15 overs.

Limerick made quick work of the chase, as Shashikumar punished some short deliveries to the boundary with some exquisite pull shots to accelerate the early proceedings. Kajal Bohr anchored the innings from the opposite end, carrying her bat with 12* from 32 balls to see Limerick’s first of two wins by eight wickets.

RESULT| MCU Women's Superleague.

We defeated Lismore by 8 wickets today. 

Lismore W: 42-6 off 15 overs.

Gauri Nimbalkar 1-3

Sana George 1-4

Holly Westmoreland 1-5

Limerick W: 43-2 off 9.3 overs.

Kajal Bohr 12*

Sanjana Shashikumar 12

Westmoreland’s side was put into bat for the second encounter and had to regather themselves after Shashikumar was dismissed by Kadam in the second over. Westmoreland was exemplary from the other end, making 19 from 26 deliveries in forming a solid partnership with George, who batted at 3 and was once again the team’s highest scorer with 40 not out, including 6x4s. Westmoreland was run out late in the innings before Limerick finished on 97-2 at the end of their innings.

A tough run chase ensued with Galway keeping pace with a high run-rate for the majority of the innings. Through Maxfield and Rathnayaka, the Tribeswomen consolidated well and began to ask questions of the Limerick attack. Westmoreland and Vercoe’s introductions proved crucial in the middle overs, with both players taking wickets which was complemented by two runs outs which demonstrated a good all-round fielding display in both matches. The dismissal of Rathnayaka in the 11th over left the score at 62-4, and Limerick ensured Galway couldn’t get close with a comfortable 15-run victory in the end to make it two wins from two on their home patch.

RESULT| MCU Women's Superleague.

We defeated County Galway by 16 runs today. 

Limerick W: 97-2 off 15 overs.

Sana George 40*

Holly Westmoreland 19

County Galway W: 82-4 off 15 overs.

Holly Westmoreland 1-11

Jo Vercoe 1-17

                                           * * *

Limerick will field two teams next weekend with both games taking place on Sunday afternoon. The 1st XI will look to carry their performance in Carrickfergus into their clash against Midleton in the Premier League where Bogavelly and co. will return to red ball action. The other game that day will see Limerick’s 3rd XI welcome Cork Harlequins to the Manor Fields for an 11am start, marking the return fixture from Saturday’s encounter.