AGONY and ecstasy may be a little too strong a phrase to describe it, but this weekend will certainly concentrate many a cricketer's mind. The end of the season's River House League is in sight, and while glittering prizes await some clubs, others can merely do their utmost to avoid being cast into exterior darkness - in this case, Section B.
Not too bad a fate? The men - and no doubt, women - of Malahide would hardly agree with you. With just one clear win from nine matches, Malahide will do well indeed not to take the tumble today, they are at home to Leinster, tomorrow away to Pembroke, and going on the recent form of all concerned, you would be slow to predict back to back victories.
Both Malahide's opponents are nicely placed in mid table. Leinster have had a couple of encouraging wins - notably, that success against Waringstown in the Royal Liver Cup semi final a week ago - while Pembroke reached the final of the Conqueror Cub.
Malahide will again have Justin Benson and Alf Masood in action on both days. And, this afternoon, the veteran Gerry O'Brien makes a return to senior cricket in an effort to add his considerable experience. Two wins would go some way towards easing Malahide's ills, but they will not be easily achieved.
At the other end of the scale, Clontarf are positively coasting, 63 points clear of Carlisle at the top of the Section A table, though Carlisle have a match in hand. Clontarf are at home to YMCA today, and 15 year old Andrew Cullen and 16 year old Paul Ryan stand in for the unavailable Johnny Daly and Keith Spellman, respectively.
Young sullen skippered his team to All Ireland Under 15 Cup success during the week. And maybe that's a happy omen for Clontarf.
But the League match of the weekend could well prove to be tomorrow's encounter between The Hills and Old Belvedere at The Vineyard, aka Milverton. As of yesterday, Old Belvedere were a mere 24 points clear of The Hills at the top of the Section B table, and tomorrow's game should be a real test of nerve and resolve.
Old Belvedere will be without Paul O'Riordan, who is on honeymoon, and Hugh Prior, who is exam tied. But Owen Butler will be back in the team after his week with the Ireland Development squad, and so will Peter O'Reilly, who is not available for today's match against Phoenix.
The Hills are also in action today, again at home, to CYM, and Brendan Moore stands in for Declan Moore, who will be playing for the Development team against Munster in Cork. But Declan Moore will return to the side for the match against Old Belvedere; this looks like a contest of considerable promise.
The only representative match of the week end is the last in the AIB Senior Interprovincial Championship, between Munster and the Ireland Development side. The outcome is of academic interest, as the Ireland Development side has already clinched the title, and, despite their three defeats on the mid week English tour, they will be favourites to win at the Mardyke today. To go undefeated through the Interprovincial campaign would be quite an achievement, and should be an additional incentive.