Sport

Break in weather coincides with the new season

NOBODY involved in the game was fooled by the recent sun-drenched days, for the arrival of broken weather is the surest proof…

By KARL JOHNSTON
Sat Apr 26 1997 - 01:00

NOBODY involved in the game was fooled by the recent sun-drenched days, for the arrival of broken weather is the surest proof that the competitive cricket season begins this weekend.

But it was ever thus; Neville Cardus memorably wrote of W.G. Grace's swan-song at Kennington Oval on a freezing April day in 1908: "..... snow blew in the wind, and some flakes fell on the Old Man's whitening beard".

Well, hopefully it won't be as bad as that this time around, with seven matches in the Lewis Traub League, the former 50 Overs competition, being spread over the two days.

Skipper Declan Moore and his men of The Hills won't be concerned about the competition's change of name, happy in the knowledge that they won the 50 Overs League last season, before going on to capture the Senior Cup, thereby achieving a notable double. Tomorrow, The Hills begin their defence of their title at home at The Vineyard to Malahide.

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Matt Dwyer, the top bowler in Leinster last season with 73 wickets, is in the side. Brian Gilmore makes a welcome return to the Malahide ranks, following a sojourn in Australia and more recently, a commentating assignment for Malaysian radio during the ICC Trophy tournament.

This could be a memorable season for Gilmore, who needs an additional 361 runs to total 11,000 in Leinster senior cricket. The Malahide side also includes l~5-year-old Andrew Smith, a promising left-arm spinner who is a member of Ireland's under-15 squad.

At the other end of the age scale, the mature but sprightly Graham Guthrie leads Railway Union against Rush at Park Avenue today. And at Claremont Road, YMCA, with Stuart Taylor again at the helm, take on North County.

A newcomer in the YMCA side is New Zealander Bevan Sweeney, reputed to be an aggressive right-hand batsman.

Merrion, at home to Old Belvedere at Anglesea Road, have promoted some young players for the occasion. Among them are left-arm seamer Jeff Short and spinner Damien Poder. Old Belvedere, away to Trinity tomorrow, will substitute Peter for Paul, as it were with O'Reilly coming in for O'Riordan.

At College Park this afternoon, Trinity take on a Clontarf side which includes several useful younger players,~ among them David McGeehan, Paul Ryan and the left-arm spinner Keith Spellman.

Leinster travel to the Mardyke to take on Cork County, who made their debut in the competition last season. Cork County are led by Shane Connole, and the team includes John Power, who made a fine 51 for the Munster Development Xl against Uxbridge last week-end.