Sport

Botha guides County to league final against Pembroke

CRICKET: IRELAND COULD have done with a Millennium Stadium-style sliding roof here in Birmingham yesterday as their Friends …

EMMET RIORDAN At Edgbaston
Mon May 26 2008 - 01:00

CRICKET:IRELAND COULD have done with a Millennium Stadium-style sliding roof here in Birmingham yesterday as their Friends Provident Trophy clash against Warwickshire was called off without a ball being bowled. With rain also forecast for today's game against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge, it looks like being a frustrating weekend for Phil Simmons's side.

Elsewhere, there was some good news for the coach as Andre Botha made a return to club action in style as North County booked a place in the DGM League final with a resounding, 81-run win over Railway Union at Balrothery on Saturday. Botha played in Ireland's opening loss to Nottinghamshire before taking a break because of injury. He made a storming return on Saturday as County continued their unbeaten start to the season, hitting 116 as the Fingal side ran up a massive 322 for five off their 45 overs.

Botha hit 18 fours and two sixes, and shared a fourth-wicket stand of 163 with Richie Lawrence, who finished unbeaten on 95.

Trent Johnston top-scored in Railway's reply with 69.

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Lawrence also claimed two wickets, as did professional Denver de Cruz and Eddie Richardson.

County will face a rejuvenated Pembroke in the decider, after the Sandymount club's trio of under-19 internationals all contributed to an exciting, one-run win away to Malahide. Opening batsman Andrew Balbirnie made 84, while Graham McDonnell made a quick-fire 50 and Theo Lawson 37 as Pembroke scored 210 for eight.

Michael O'Brien got Malahide off to a flier in reply, but perished on 55, while John Pryor made 44. Australian pro Jimmy Henry looked well set to lead Malahide to victory, only to hole out to Balbirnie at deep mid-wicket off the bowling of spinner Peter Byrne, who claimed five wickets for 32.

Requiring 27 runs off the last three overs, Malahide had a lash, but, requiring six to win off the last ball of the match, Glen Kirwan hoisted one in the direction of Ryan Hopkins. Although he missed the catch, he did enough to keep the ball going for six and earn Pembroke a place in the final for the first time since 2002.