From The Pavilion

Approximate timeline
22 March: The earliest date I can start sending invites to the 64 teams listed in the Initial invitation list below.

• These include all Youth 1; Youth 2; and Youth 3 teams plus the top eight ranked teams from Youth 4.

• Note: this includes two tier 3 teams ranked outside the top 64.

• Invitations will be issued in tier order.

• This is because, to the best of my knowledge; where there are more than 64, or more likely 32, acceptances. Places will be allocated in the order teams were invited.

Update: 24 March, all the teams on the Initial Invitation list below have been invited.

5 April: All other teams from Youth 4 will be invited to take up any remaining places.
Update: 7 April, invitations sent to all the remaining teams in the Irish league setup. We still need 20 more acceptances before the deadline to make the full 64.

Update 19 April: The acceptance deadline has passed

• At the last count we had 50 entrants which means that we will start with a Round of 32, so not a Round of 64 teams as I hoped (maybe next season).

• A learning for me is that the 32 teams in the draw are those that were invited first; confirming what I suspected from last year.

• These will be the 32 highest ranked teams of those who accepted, as this was the order that I invited them (see the Initial Invitation list below.

• The draw has been made; so I will add a new post to cover that.

The First Round takes place on Saturday 26 April.

Finally, my apologies goes to the following teams who accepted but didn't make the cut. You all are eligible for the Irish Senior League Plate- S61 and will receive invitations shortly:

Western Suburbs Hacks
Blwe Scavengerz
Hammers CC
Vegas Venoms
Belmont CC
Spingleberry
Insane Inglewood Posse
Galway Gladiators CC
Chester Ducks
Dublin Devils
Muggles Cricket Club
Xessux Club
FPCC Ireland
St Johns Athletic
Aripal Qalandars
Zeugma Ferrets
Babylon5
Split the G

The League Plate is open to any teams in tiers 3 and 4 that did not get a place in the League Cup or that were knocked out in the first round.

This will be the final update of this post, but watch out for more posts on this thread. Cheers, Crackit

Initial invitation list
Rank League Rating Team
1 One Day 1.1 266,091 Chesney Champions
2 One Day 1.1 248,897 Me & My Buddies
3 One Day 1.1 248,102 Donna's Kebabs
4 One Day 2.2 246,075 Save the Rhino
5 One Day 1.1 246,058 Ballingeary Lakers
6 One Day 1.1 243,307 Aussie Battlers
7 One Day 1.1 242,253 Applewood Crossing
8 One Day 1.1 236,669 Uthaug
9 One Day 2.1 236,170 Barnsley St. Peter's
10 One Day 1.1 231,456 Friendly Fiends
11 One Day 2.2 229,814 Rebel Spinners
12 One Day 2.1 228,614 BTP's Altnaharra Athletic
13 One Day 3.3 227,967 Ireland Lions
14 One Day 2.1 227,213 Cork City Cobra's
15 One Day 2.1 224,602 Weston Super Mud CC
16 One Day 2.1 222,965 Spinney Wanderers
17 One Day 3.1 220,776 Jolly Boys Of Peckham
18 One Day 2.2 219,409 kilkenny
19 One Day 2.2 218,660 kato xi
20 One Day 2.1 217,721 Justhititfor6
21 One Day 2.1 216,473 Woodlands CC
22 One Day 2.2 215,037 Hunslet Parkside C.C.
23 One Day 2.2 214,269 Royal Eleven
24 One Day 2.2 213,959 The Gaelic Pingers
25 One Day 3.1 209,938 Corleone
26 One Day 2.1 209,315 The Dragon Warrior
27 One Day 3.4 205,586 Celtic Wolves
28 One Day 3.1 204,174 Staindrop Lordies
29 One Day 3.2 204,054 Meeting Mr Miandad
30 One Day 3.1 201,797 Billericay Bluebirds
31 One Day 3.4 200,920 All Leeds Aren't We
32 One Day 3.4 200,244 The WaddiWallas
33 One Day 4.2 199,894 TheBezBrigade
34 One Day 3.2 199,761 The Hurlutown Partnership
35 One Day 3.3 199,306 The Irish Super Giants
36 One Day 3.2 198,835 Cool Blasters
37 One Day 3.1 197,056 Alrewas All Saints
38 One Day 3.2 194,459 The New Originals
39 One Day 3.1 191,708 North Saxe
40 One Day 3.3 191,240 North Cardiff Cosmos
41 One Day 3.4 189,810 The Cross Lances
42 One Day 3.2 188,873 Dunbrody CC
43 One Day 3.3 188,657 Trinity
44 One Day 4.1 188,653 Ella XI
45 One Day 3.3 187,084 Shaktar Senseless
46 One Day 4.7 186,475 Blazing Dragons Cricket Club
47 One Day 3.4 186,122 Western Suburbs Hacks
48 One Day 3.2 185,538 Blwe Scavengerz
49 One Day 3.1 184,554 Hammers CC
50 One Day 2.2 182,363 Vegas Venoms
51 One Day 3.2 181,589 Belmont CC
52 One Day 3.4 181,065 Spingleberry
53 One Day 3.1 180,721 Insane Inglewood Posse
54 One Day 3.3 180,481 Q Dragon Empire
55 One Day 3.4 169,835 Galway Gladiators CC
56 One Day 4.6 169,102 Nordhorn CC
57 One Day 4.1 167,660 Christopher CC
58 One Day 3.3 166,951 Chester Ducks
59 One Day 4.5 166,756 Dublin Devils
60 One Day 4.7 163,139 Muggles Cricket Club
61 One Day 3.3 162,262 Shropshire CC
62 One Day 4.3 160,992 Snapper Organs CC
66 One Day 3.4 139,040 FPCC Ireland
68 One Day 3.2 136,578 Aripal Qalandars

Roll of Honour

Season 60:

• Winner: Chesney Champions

• Runner-up: Weston Super Mud CC

• Semi-finalists: Ballingeary Lakers; Me & My Buddies

Season 59:

• Winner: Ballingeary Lakers

• Runner-up: Donna's Kebabs

• Semi-finalists: Applewood Crossing; Cork City Cobra's

First Round
Note: Rankings used are as of the start of the season.

Draw
Woodlands CC (21) v North Saxe (39) [Senior Rivalry: 0-0]
Meeting Mr Miandad (29) v Applewood Crossing (7) [Rivalry: 5-5]
The New Originals (38) v Ella XI (44) [Senior Rivalry: 0-0]
All Leeds Aren't We (31) v Corleone (25) [Senior Rivalry: 0-0]
Shaktar Senseless (45) v North Cardiff Cosmos (40) [Senior Rivalry: 1-0]
Celtic Wolves (27) v Spinney Wanderers (16) [Senior Rivalry: 8-13]
The WaddiWallas (32) v Ireland Lions (13) [Senior Rivalry: 0-1]
Rebel Spinners (11) v Chesney Champions (1) [Senior Rivalry: 15-22]
kato xi (19) v Blazing Dragons Cricket Club (46) [Senior Rivalry: 0-0]
The Irish Super Giants (35) v Weston Super Mud CC (15) [Senior Rivalry: 0-4]
The Hurlutown Partnership (34) v kilkenny (18) [Senior Rivalry: 0-8]
Billericay Bluebirds (30) v The Cross Lances (41) [Senior Rivalry: 6-4]
Donna's Kebabs (3) v Barnsley St. Peter's (9) [Senior Rivalry: 36-10]
Ballingeary Lakers (5) v Jolly Boys Of Peckham (17) [Senior Rivalry: 6-8]
Alrewas All Saints (37) v Royal Eleven (23) [Senior Rivalry: 0-0]
Staindrop Lordies (28) v Dunbrody CC (42) [Senior Rivalry: 1-1]

Selected highlights
Rebel Spinners (11) v Chesney Champions (1)
The reigning champion's, the one and only Chesney Champions, path to the semi-finals is likely to consist of three testing games. Initially against #11 ranked Rebel Spinners, then likely against #13 Ireland Lions and then #16 Spinney Wanderers. The one-time MKMC winners, nine-time Irish One Day champions, nine-time Irish T20 champions and current Irish League Cup holders seem to be battling on two fronts: still in the Matt Krevs Memorial Cup and an unbeaten first chasing the T20 title. Will another cup win be on their radar? The question is "how Chezza will choose to shuffle the deck?" and so "which team will be selected to deal with the Spinners?"

The Irish Super Giants (35) v Weston Super Mud CC (15)
Last season's runner-up, Weston Super Mud CC, appear to have a straightforward first round match-up; but likely a stiffer test in the next round.

kato xi (19) v Blazing Dragons Cricket Club (46)
Again, kato xi would hope to progress to provide the Mud's opposition in round two.

Donna's Kebabs (3) v Barnsley St. Peter's (9)
The Kebabs are the other Irish team left in the Matt Krevs Memorial Cup. Runners-up in S59, they have another tough starter in facing long-standing rivals Barnsley St. Peter's. Will they fancy another tilt at the trophy? If so they will have another testing game if they get through this one likely possibly the team that beat them in that final, the Ballingeary Lakers.

Ballingeary Lakers (5) v Jolly Boys Of Peckham (17)
Season 59 winners will have to get by the Jolly Boys first. Who will be all smiles for at the end of the day.

Here are some other intriguing ties that may result in a close finish:

• All Leeds Aren't We (31) v Corleone (25)

• The New Originals (38) v Ella XI (44)

• Shaktar Senseless (45) v North Cardiff Cosmos (40)

Meeting Mr Miandad (29) v Applewood Crossing (7)
Finally our own Applewood Crossing have a favourable draw in the top quarter (it is random, I promise). So we hope that we may go deep into the competition. That should put the commentator's curse on it.

and off we go!

So how do you feel about your chances? Which players in your team should we be keeping an eye open for?

Good luck to everyone and off we jolly well go! Crackit.

Results
Woodlands CC 212-3 (20) v North Saxe 188-5 (20)
Meeting Mr Miandad 148-10 (18.2) v Applewood Crossing 225-3
The New Originals 136-8 (20) v Ella XI 137-4 (20)
All Leeds Aren't We 168-9 (20) v Corleone 171-5 (20)
Shaktar Senseless 196-3 (20) v North Cardiff Cosmos 170-7 (20)
Celtic Wolves 155-7 (20) v Spinney Wanderers 157-2 (13.4)
The WaddiWallas 137-7 (20) v Ireland Lions 215-2 (20)
Rebel Spinners 127-7 (20) v Chesney Champions 128-3 (16)
kato xi 116-2 (17) v Blazing Dragons Cricket Club 112-7 (20)
The Irish Super Giants 147-7 (20) v Weston Super Mud CC 150-2 (15.2)
The Hurlutown Partnership 175-6 (20) v kilkenny 176-3 (15.4)
Billericay Bluebirds 192-4 (20) v The Cross Lances 189-6 (20)
Donna's Kebabs 183-8 (20) v Barnsley St. Peter's 171-6 (20)
Ballingeary Lakers 148-8 (20) v Jolly Boys Of Peckham 149-4 (19.4)
Alrewas All Saints 179-6 (20) v Royal Eleven 198-5 (20)
Staindrop Lordies 167-5 (20) v Dunbrody CC 119-7 (20)

Trí chonair na héiginnteachta
Blame Google translate
As predicted, last year's champions and runners-up (Chesney Champions and Weston Super Mud CC) progressed along with kato xi and Donna's Kebabs but not the Ballingeary Lakers! They were defeated in one of the round's close games...

Ballingeary Lakers (5) v Jolly Boys Of Peckham (17)
Rahim (36), Rollock (44) and Meija (29*) helped construct a steady foundation for the Lakers that allowed Fairbairn (6) and Ata (8) to help rattle off 27 off the last two overs for a total of 148-8. Peckham's response always seemed to be a little behind the comparison until Bragg (55) launched Fairbairn for 17 runs before succumbing on the final ball of the 17th over. Keane (14 off 9) and Snell (66*) followed his example knocking 22 runs off the next two overs leaving just three runs to make of the last six balls. Snell hit the game clinching run and the upset of Division 1 opposition by the Division 3 side with two balls to spare.

The New Originals (38) v Ella XI (44)
Another surprise was sprung by actual newcomers Ella XI when the The New Originals failed to amass 8 runs off the final over. The New Originals looked to be comfortably ahead of the the required rate before Iftikhar trapped both Farrell and Solomon leg before in 14th over; then the game slowly slipped away from their grasp.

All Leeds Aren't We (31) v Corleone (25)
Ella XI will face Corleone who also won off the final ball against All Leeds Aren't We. Caulfield (55) and Gaekwad (59) gave "All Leeds" an excellent start with their opening stand of 117 before they both were run out in quick succession. With three overs left "Are We" were looking comfortable 165-3 when, first, Gadhia with two then Nandedkar with three wickets then Gadhia again with a wicket maiden restricted them to just three more runs.

Corleone built steadily to a grand finish. Needing 22 off the final two overs they scored 11 off the 19th; they then scored another 9 off the first five balls before Nandedkar hit the second ball he faced for the game winning four off the game's final ball.

Billericay Bluebirds (30) v The Cross Lances (41)
Billericay Bluebirds also clinched a win with a four off the final ball, but the comparison was very tight from the 13th over onwards. Scotton (56) and Akram (51) had kept the chase close but it was Gilchrist (24) and Rawle (25) added 44 to see the Bluebirds home. Earlier it had pretty much been "all my own work" by as Tom Cowan hit an unbeaten 111 for the Lances with early support from Moran (32) and Christie (18) but little else. Wrist spinner, Mac Kajwang ripped into his compatriots taking 4 wickets for 35.

Leaders
Golden pads, for most runs scored by a batter:

• 111 - Tom Cowan (The Cross Lances)

• 105 (56 balls) - Chamu Chifunyise (Royal Eleven)

• 105 (57 balls) - Matthew Hayden (Ireland Lions)

• 87 - Junior Ellis (Applewood Crossing)

• 86 (48 balls) - Gerry Cavenagh (Applewood Crossing)

• 86 (57 balls) - Joel Roles (Barnsley St. Peter's)

Golden cap, for most wickets taken by a bowler:

• 6-28 Shahnawaz Manchandani (rfm, Barnsley St. Peter's)

• 5-27 Smoky Marlboro (lf, Applewood Crossing)

• 4-35 Caymun Mac Kajwang (lws, Billericay Bluebirds)

• 3-7 Oliver Chimusasa (rws, Staindrop Lordies)

• 3-17 Bertram Corriette (lm, Weston Super Mud CC)

• 3 - eight other bowlers.

Golden gloves, for most dismissals involving the keeper:

• 3 (3c, 0st) - Innes Wyeth (Alrewas All Saints)

• 3 (3c, 0st) - Antonio Goggin (Applewood Crossing)

• 3 (2c, 1st) - Joshua Egan (Royal Eleven)

• 2 - five other keepers

Second Round
Note: Rankings used are as of the start of the season.

Draw
Woodlands CC (21) v v Applewood Crossing (7) [Senior Rivalry: 2-0]
Ella XI (44) v Corleone (25) [Senior Rivalry: 0-1]
Shaktar Senseless (45) v Spinney Wanderers (16) [Senior Rivalry: 7-9]
Ireland Lions (13)v Chesney Champions (1) [Senior Rivalry: 0-0]
kato xi (19) v Weston Super Mud CC (15) [Senior Rivalry: 5-5]
kilkenny (18) v Billericay Bluebirds (30) [Senior Rivalry: 22-15-1]
Donna's Kebabs (3) v Jolly Boys Of Peckham (17) [Senior Rivalry: 6-0]
Royal Eleven (23) v Staindrop Lordies (28) [Senior Rivalry: 1-0]

Selected highlights
kato xi (19) v Weston Super Mud CC (15)
There are very few obvious prospects for close games but this between these two tier two sides might just be one. The winner will likely face another Division 2 side, kilkenny, in the quarter finals.

Royal Eleven (23) v Staindrop Lordies (28)
There are two matches where the sides have met just once. Royal Eleven beat Staindrop Lordies by 7 wickets in Twenty20 2.2 and should likely win again if their win-loss record is anything to go by.

Ella XI (44) v Corleone (25)
These two met in round one of the Matt Krevs Memorial Cup in season 51 when Corleone beat Ella X1 by 7 wickets. They were subsequently beaten in round two.

Results
Woodlands CC 162-3 (20) v Applewood Crossing 217-5 (20)
Ella XI 143-7 (20) v Corleone 175-2 (20)
Shaktar Senseless 125-8 (20) v Spinney Wanderers 126-2(18.3)
Ireland Lions 77-10 (20) v Chesney Champions 78-2 (10.
kato xi 147-2 (14) v Weston Super Mud CC 143-9 (20)
kilkenny 102-1 (13.2) v Billericay Bluebirds 98-7 (20)
Donna's Kebabs 197-6 (20) v Jolly Boys Of Peckham 192-6 (20)
Royal Eleven 132-10 (19.1) v Staindrop Lordies 169-5 (20)

Trí chonair na héiginnteachta
Blame Google translate
My predictions were well off. kato xi v Weston Super Mud wasn't close; and Royal Eleven didn't get close to winning. But kilkenny did and my historical fact about Ella XI v Corleone remains true, but that isn't much consolation. Note to self: must do better.

Donna's Kebabs 197-6 (20) v Jolly Boys Of Peckham 192-6 (20)
There was one close game when the Jolly Boys' run chase fell five run short of the target. The Kebabs innings built slowly and steadily to 65-3 (off 8.1 overs) off early partnerships of 18, 22 and 25. Then came the fifth wicket stand of 72 from 35 balls by Julian Landry (81) and Keith Malone (56*). before an unbeaten 51 stand from Malone and Andrew Clayton (18*) bringing their total to 197.

Peckham boy flew off to a quick start, reaching 65 after only five overs thanks to the opening stand from Jonty Rhodes (46) and Joel Sau (68) but lost momentum when it was broken by Eben Creswick in the sixth. They rallied in the second half of the innings but left themselves too much to do despite scoring a valiant 34 runs off the last 12 balls.

Royal Eleven (23) v Staindrop Lordies (28)
Division 3 Lordies caused and upset of sorts by beating Division 2 Royal Eleven, bowling them out for 132 after accumulating 169 runs themselves.

Woodlands CC (21) v Applewood Crossing (7)
Our own Applewood Crossing joined the Royal Eleven youth side as the only teams to make three quarter-finals in three years. Hooray for us! I love all my readers, but please don't expect me to be dispassionate about my own side.

Ireland Lions (13) v Chesney Champions (1)
The holders plough on inexorably to what seems to be an inevitable repeat and if anything look stronger. As with Ella XI an the youth rankings, the rest of us have work to do to catch up.

Leaders
Golden pads, for most runs scored by a batter:

• 182 - Keith Morrison (Woodlands CC)

• 165 - Junior Ellis (Applewood Crossing)

• 145 - Julian Landry (Donna's Kebabs)

• 131 - Bhupesh Dibyendu (Corleone)

• 124 - Avril Walter (Spinney Wanderers)

Golden cap, for most wickets taken by a bowler:

• 7-53 Smoky Marlboro (lf, Applewood Crossing)

• 7-56 Aravindan Nandedkar (rfs, Corleone)

• 6-20 Oliver Chimusasa (rws, Staindrop Lordies)

• 6-28 Shahnawaz Manchandani (rfm, Barnsley St. Peter's)

• 5-59 Christian Flanagan (lfs, kato xi)

• 5-73 Ranjit Weerapuna (lm, Royal Eleven)

Golden gloves, for most dismissals involving the keeper:

• 4 (4c, 0st) - Antonio Goggin (Applewood Crossing)

• 4 (3c, 1st) - Bhupesh Dibyendu (Corleone)

• 3 - eight other keepers

Quarter-finals
Note: Rankings used are as of the start of the season.

Draw
Applewood Crossing (7) v Corleone (25) [Senior Rivalry: 5-6]
Spinney Wanderers (16) v Chesney Champions (1) [Senior Rivalry: 2-22]
kato xi (19) v kilkenny (18) [Senior Rivalry: 7-4]
Donna's Kebabs (3) v Staindrop Lordies (28) [Senior Rivalry: 1-0]

• Their only meeting was back in the 44 season in round two of the "Battle of the Cracking Willow"?! when the Kebabs won by 9 wickets.

Selected highlights
kato xi (19) v kilkenny (18)
I am naming this "the clash of the little k's". The match between two Division 2 sides appears to be the standout tie of the quarter finals but kato xi has won their two most recent meetings comfortably. Kato also knocked out higher ranked opponents, Weston Super Mud, quite comfortably in the previous round. kilkenny have breezed past Division 3 opposition to reach the quarter finals of both Irish League Cups, having lost to the favourites, Ella XI, in the youth version; laup16's approach to FTP is clearly well-balanced and effective.

The other three games involve top tier teams against lower league opponents, all three should progress although Corleone should present the toughest challenge to our own Applewood Crossing. We would expect likely finalists, holders Chesney Champions and S59 runners-up Donna's Kebabs to progress against Spinney Wanderers and Staindrop Lordies respectively.

Good luck to all involved.

Results
Applewood Crossing 180-4 (20) v Corleone 176-7 (20)
Spinney Wanderers 113-10 (18.5) v Chesney Champions 232-4 (20)
kato xi 167-7 (20) v kilkenny 176-3 (20)
Donna's Kebabs 144-10 (19) v Staindrop Lordies 125-10 (19.4)

Trí chonair na héiginnteachta
Blame Google translate
Chesney Champions and Donna's Kebabs do indeed continue to plough on mercilessly towards a final clash. Corleone did indeed present a tough challenge to our own Applewood Crossing, it was far too close for comfort. And "the clash of the little k's" was indeed an excellent match.

Applewood Crossing (7) v Corleone (25)
New signing Aaron Evans hit an undefeated 91 as Applewood put together a respectable total of 180. The most important period being the third wicket partnership with Murdoch Herriot that contributed 96 off 68 balls.

Corleone's response was going along nicely until it took fire with 22 runs off Murray Dow's 14th over. At this point they were 130-1 needing 51 for victory off the final seven overs. All-rounder Muthu Varuna restricted them to just 4 runs in 15th. Then in 16th Dow broke the second wicket partnership (which had been 74 from 47 balls) trapping Keriwala leg before. Varuna followed up with another wicket in 17th bringing the target to 30 runs off the last three overs before Corleone committed cricket suicide.

Three run outs, including Amitav Kale for 76. What were they thinking? Did the pressure cause them to panic? Anyway, 25 runs off the the last three overs left them five short of the winning total. I'm sorry guys, it's not personal, it's strictly cricket.

kato xi (19) v kilkenny (18)
This was close all of the way. Abhijeet Palam (50*), Simon Mac Oburu (48) and Dylan Fahey (46) helped build kilkenny's total of 176-3.

Declan Sheehan (66), Manus Clarke(42) and Philip Kinsella (35) kept kato's run chase close but Adam Fahey proved to be the immovable object to their irresistible force. Not only did he take most wickets (3) but also contained the kato batters to 22 runs.

As with other matches, it was the 53 runs that kilkenny scored off their final four overs that proved the difference; kato managed a mere 40!

Donna's Kebabs (3) v Staindrop Lordies (28)
After a slow start, the Lordies managed to match the Kebabs progress but had left themselves far too much to do to get close. Man of the match was Bowler Hussain Mohammad, who skewered five Lordie batters for a mere 16 runs.

Spinney Wanderers (16) v Chesney Champions (1)
It was never close. The holders plough on inexorably to what seems to be an inevitable repeat and if anything look stronger. As with Ella XI an the youth rankings, the rest of us have work to do to catch up. It feels like deja vu all over again. Keeper Shay Patterson (119) starred with the bat and fast bowler Jackson Caulfield took an impressive 6-17 for the Champions.

Leaders
Golden pads, for most runs scored by a batter:

• 182 - Keith Morrison (Woodlands CC)

• 167 - Junior Ellis (Applewood Crossing)

• 164 - Bhupesh Dibyendu (Corleone)

• 150 - Julian Landry (Donna's Kebabs)

• 134 - Avril Walter (Spinney Wanderers)

Golden cap, for most wickets taken by a bowler:

• 10-41 Oliver Chimusasa (rws, Staindrop Lordies)

• 8-52 Jackson Caulfield (lf, Chesney Champions)

• 8-92 Smoky Marlboro (lf, Applewood Crossing)

• 7-62 Adam Fahey (rfm, kilkenny)

• 7-92 Aravindan Nandedkar (rfs, Corleone)

Golden gloves, for most dismissals involving the keeper:

• 6 (4c, 2st) - Bhupesh Dibyendu (Corleone)

• 4 (4c, 0st) - Antonio Goggin (Applewood Crossing)

• 4 (3c,1st) - Jerry Dold (Staindrop Lordies)

• 4 (3c,1st) - Darragh Horan (kilkenny)

• 3 - seven other keepers

Semi-finals
Note: Rankings used are as of the start of the season.

Draw
Applewood Crossing (7) v Chesney Champions (1) [Senior Rivalry: 2-22]
kilkenny (18) v Donna's Kebabs (3) [Senior Rivalry: 2-0]

Selected highlights
Applewood Crossing (7) v Chesney Champions (1)
This is Chesney's second semi final of the week having finally lost at this stage in the Matt Krevs Memorial Cup. I have already said I can't regard our own games dispassionately but the head-to-head record speaks for itself, so not even I think they will lose in another. Chezza doesn't look like repeating last year's Irish League and Cup double; but may do an Irish T20 League and Cup double instead. We're just happy to be there.

kilkenny (18) v Donna's Kebabs (3)
Division 2.2 kilkenny are the only team not in Youth 1.1, but this may be as far as they go despite a head-to-head record that doesn't speak for itself. Season 59 runner-up Kebabs who also had a good run in MKMC, look likely to face the Season 60 winners in the final. But where are the Division 1.1 leaders and probable winners Friendly Fiends? Can someone put out a search party for manager UnreliableRogue before next year's competition?

Results
Applewood Crossing 107-10(19.1) v Chesney Champions 108-1 (11.1)
kilkenny (18) v Donna's Kebabs (3) [Senior Rivalry: 2-0]

Trí chonair na héiginnteachta
Blame Google translate
I said it last week, so I'll say it again: Chesney Champions and Donna's Kebabs continue to plough on mercilessly towards a final clash.

Applewood Crossing (7) v Chesney Champions (1)
You'll understand when I say that I don't want to talk about it. It felt brutal, merciless and cruel to us, but to the champion Champions it probably routine, professional and business as usual. Donk Niebeling (3-16), Habib Salah (3-25) and the rest of the attack met very little resistance from Applewood's batting line-up; and skipper Oliver Masingata (42*), Logen Thiessen (31) and Marshall Lycett (29*) faced very little threat from Applewood's bowling attack.

Chesney won their first One Day title was in season 20 when the did their first One Day and T20 double. The theme of the youth tournament has been about raising the bar. Chezza's Champions have set the bar for some time now, and find ways to both lead the way in Ireland and go deep into the MKMC. They have finished in the top two for six of the last seven years; the have won nine titles and been runner-up nine times. They have focussed a little less on the T20 league for a long time before wining it for the ninth time last season. It's for the rest of us to observe in awe to try and identity the blueprint for a title bid.

kilkenny (18) v Donna's Kebabs (3)
The Kebabs are no slouches themselves winning eight one day titles and nine T20 Division titles. They are now the only obstacle to a Chesney title. They too put together an exemplary performance to get there. Hussain Mohammad took a magnificent 3-12; Andrew Clayton and Arthur Howard each added two wickets as kilkenny added to their own problems with three run outs. There was no outstanding innings and plenty of bumps in the road as Donna's boys chased down the necessary runs in 17.1 overs.

Leaders
Golden pads, for most runs scored by a batter:

• 182 - Keith Morrison (Woodlands CC)

• 177- Julian Landry (Donna's Kebabs)

• 174 - Junior Ellis (Applewood Crossing)

• 173 - Simon Mac Oburu (kilkenny)

• 164 - Bhupesh Dibyendu (Corleone)

Golden cap, for most wickets taken by a bowler:

• 10-41 Oliver Chimusasa (rws, Staindrop Lordies)

• 9-56 Hussain Mohammad (rm, Donna's Kebabs)

• 9-85 Adam Fahey (rfm, kilkenny)

• 9-112 Smoky Marlboro (lf, Applewood Crossing)

• 8-52 Jackson Caulfield (lf, Chesney Champions)

Golden gloves, for most dismissals involving the keeper:

• 6 (4c, 2st) - Bhupesh Dibyendu (Corleone)

• 4 (4c, 0st) - Antonio Goggin (Applewood Crossing)

• 4 (4c, 0st) - Keith Malone (Donna's Kebabs)

• 4 (3c,1st) - Jerry Dold (Staindrop Lordies)

• 4 (3c,1st) - Darragh Horan (kilkenny)

The Final
Note: Rankings used are as of the start of the season.

Draw
Chesney Champions (1) v Donna's Kebabs (3) [Senior Rivalry: 31-46]

size=150]Preview[/size]
Whatever happens, the golden bat, ball and gloves are going to be settled by this match:

• Batting: 270 - Malcolm Sartori (Chester Ducks) v 228 - Gift Mire (Staindrop Lordies)

• Bowling: 8-68 Tshepo Matsikenyeri (lf, Staindrop Lordies) v 8-80 Alpesh Jada (lfm, Chester Ducks)

• Fielding: 8 (6c, 2st) - Dinny Taylor (Staindrop Lordies) v 3 (2c, 1st) - Stanley Reid (Chester Ducks)

Their Road to the Final
#1 Chesney Champions (One Day 1.1)
Last season's winners have been winning games so comfortably, none of their players are vying for individual honours despite bowling three teams out in their 20 overs. The other reason there aren't many players vying for individual honours is that Chezza can select different players based on their opposition and / or opponents. There are so many star players in their squad I could name eleven of them and the Champions could then collect another eleven and still win the game, but here goes....
Oliver Masingata and Logen Thiessen will likely figure with the bat, possibly backup keeper Marshall Lycett and youngster Jayesh Kureshi has performed well this season but has not been used in the cup. Shay Patterson will likely be behind the stumps. The top wickets takers this season have been Nic Jesaulenko, Brock Woodward and Jackson Caulfield but could be tinkered out of the side. Donk Niebeling and / or Habib Salah may feature as allrounders.

Round One v #11 Rebel Spinners (One Day 2.2), won by 7 wickets

• RS: 127-7 (20); CC: 128-3 (16)

• MOTM: Oliver Masingata (83*)

Round Two v #13 Ireland Lions (One Day 3.3), won by 8 wickets

• IL: 77-10 (20); CC: 78-2 (10.2)

• MOTM: Brock Woodward (rfs, 3-23 and one catch)

Quarter Final v #16 Spinney Wanderers (One Day 2.1), won by 119 runs

• CC: 232-4 (20); SW: 113-10 (18.5)

• MOTM: Keeper Shay Patterson (119 and one catch)

Semi Final v #7 Applewood Crossing (One Day 1.1), won by 9 wickets

• AC: 107-10(19.1); CC: 108-1 (11.1)

• MOTM: Donk Niebeling (lm, 3-16 and one catch)

#3 Donna's Kebabs (One Day 1.1)
The Kebabs played their toughest matches in the first two rounds and haven't really blown anyone away. Like Chesney they will shuffle the team for the occasion so it's difficult to predict who may feature, but reviewing the season as a whole these seem to be the players to watch.
The batting line-up will likely include Danger Drake, Lee Clurey, and Julian Landry; but not necessarily in that order. Keith Malone has been the keeper of choice, but then it could be Clifton Barrow, who hasn't featured in the cup so far. The bowlers should include Andrew Clayton (rf), Hussain Mohammad (rm), Ronan Stirling (lf), and possibly Jofra Archer (rfm); allrounder Clayton can play up the order.


Round One v #9 Barnsley St. Peter's (One Day 2.1), won by 12 runs

• DK: 183-8 (20); BSP: 171-6 (20)

• MOTM: Shahnawaz Manchandani (rfm, 6-28 plus 2 catches, 1*)

Round Two v #17 Rebel Spinners (One Day 3.1), won by 5 runs

• DK: 197-6 (20); JBOP: 192-6 (20)

• MOTM: Julian Landry (81)

Quarter Final v #28 Staindrop Lordies (One Day 3.1), won by 19 runs

• DK: 144-10 (19); SL: 125-10 (19.4)

• MOTM: Hussain Mohammad (8, rm, 5-26)

Semi Final v #18 kilkenny (One Day 2.2), won by 6 wickets

• K: 124-10 (19); DK: 126-4 (17.1)

• MOTM: Hussain Mohammad (rm, 3-12 plus one catch)

Our prediction: I am hardly sticking my neck out for by picking the uncompromising Chesney Champions to repeat.

Trí chonair na héiginnteachta
Blame Google translate
I said it last week, so I'll say it again: Chesney Champions and Donna's Kebabs continue to plough on mercilessly towards a final clash.

Chesney Champions (1) v Donna's Kebabs (3))
It looked all over just nine balls into the match and I was feeling pretty smug about my predicting ability, but this game was about two partnerships.

At 9-4 Keith Malone came out to join Julian Landry on the tenth ball. They grafted over the next 64 balls to build a partnership of 54 to bring the Kebabs back into the game. But wickets began to fall regularly once it was broken in 12th over, Donna's scrambled a further 39 runs to set the cup holders a target of 105 to win. Fast bowler Jackson Caulfield, who took two wickets in the first over, finished with 3 for 16.

Chezzas also had a tricky start falling to 6-2 off the first 11 balls before Marshall Lycett and Joost Overmars picked up the pace with a partnership of 37 from 24 balls. However, at the end of 9th over, three overs after a quick two wickets from Eben Cresswick had stemmed the tide, the comparative score was level 55 for 4 and the game was in the balance. It was only then that Overmars joined by Shay Patterson took control and complied the biggest and most telling partnership of the day to wrap up the trophy and lets the celebrations begin.

Congratulations then to our two finalists, Chezza and Bustergut, who both receive an award of Pavilion membership.

As with the Youth League Cup I want to thank everyone who took part and who has read my ramblings, we hope it was fun and that we have you feel a part of something special in Ireland. If you enjoyed it and know someone in the league who hasn't yet joined in, perhaps you could give them a gentle nudge to see if we can finally get to my personal goal of 64 entrants next time round.

Leaders
Golden pads, for most runs scored by a batter:

• 201 - Julian Landry (Donna's Kebabs)

• 182 - Keith Morrison (Woodlands CC)

• 174 - Junior Ellis (Applewood Crossing)

• 173 - Simon Mac Oburu (kilkenny)

• 164 - Bhupesh Dibyendu (Corleone)

Golden cap, for most wickets taken by a bowler:

• 11-68 Jackson Caulfield (lf, Chesney Champions)

• 10-72 Oliver Chimusasa (rws, Staindrop Lordies)

• 9-56 Hussain Mohammad (rm, Donna's Kebabs)

• 9-85 Adam Fahey (rfm, kilkenny)

• 9-112 Smoky Marlboro (lf, Applewood Crossing)

Golden gloves, for most dismissals involving the keeper:

• 6 (4c, 2st) - Bhupesh Dibyendu (Corleone)

• 5 (5c, 0st) - Keith Malone (Donna's Kebabs)

• 5 (5c, 0st) - Shay Patterson (Chesney Champions)

• 4 (4c, 0st) - Antonio Goggin (Applewood Crossing)

• 4 (3c,1st) - Jerry Dold (Staindrop Lordies)

• 4 (3c,1st) - Darragh Horan (kilkenny)

Player of the Tournament

• Jackson Caulfield (Chesney Champions) - 319

I don't usually do this but given it was so close, a special mention goes to:

• Hussain Mohammad (Donna's Kebabs) - 317

• Oliver Chimusasa (Staindrop Lordies) - 313

crackit wrote: ↑

Sat May 17, 2025 3:22 pm

The Final
Our prediction: I am hardly sticking my neck out for by picking the uncompromising Chesney Champions to repeat.

Boo

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Boo
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Loving the passion and interaction Bustergut, good luck in the final. I've just had my second hammering in a week

Well done Chezza, unfortunately the final was effectively over after 9 balls.

Great competition again Crackit. Irelands got a few alright youth pulls out of it. I pulled a couple of double talent players (albeit dreadful experience).

In terms of the cup, our team was a bit strong this year. Buster was always going to be the toughest match, but at 10/4 it was probably all over. Looks like we have one more season of being alright and then we’ll fall off a cliff.

Congratulations to both finalists who both win an award of Pavillion membership. Very gracious Bustergut and well played Chezza. Thanks for making it a strong competition and settling a high bar for the rest of us to aspire to and to prevent the three-peat next session..