CRICKET/Weekend preview: With North County idle this weekend, Phoenix can close the gap at the top of the WMK League if they beat Malahide away tomorrow. But with their opening batsmen Jeremy Bray and Jason Molins on international duty in nearby Castle Avenue, they will be somewhat weakened. That is, of course, if you can seriously call any team with Chris Torissi, Thinus Fourie, David Langford-Smith and Eric Godward weak.

Malahide will be without Phil Markey, Eamon Shehabeddin and John Prior, who are all away, but they welcome back their overseas player, Mike Smith, who was briefly away in South Africa on family business.

This is a must-win game for Malahide if they harbour any aspirations of lifting the league trophy while Phoenix will feel they have to keep the pressure on County, who managed to postpone their scheduled game against Railway Union.

Meanwhile, Clontarf travel to the Mardyke to take on Munster Reds without Trent Johnston, who is playing for Ireland, and Eoghan Delaney, who is away at the Staffordshire Festival in Wolverhampton with the Leinster under-17s.

Into the Clontarf team come Llewellyn Vermaak, who scored a century for the Second XI against The Hills last week, and Johan Johnson.

While unbeaten North County are in control of Section A, things are a lot closer in Section B with four teams, Rush, Merrion, YMCA and Old Belvedere, still very much in contention for top honours.

The big game will be in Kenure tomorrow as leaders Rush take on Merrion, who have a game in hand over the others. Merrion may be hoping the Ireland management releases 12th man Dom Joyce to play in that match.

One thing is for sure: Rush will be without Naseer Shoukat, who yesterday was battling to save Ireland's blushes against Scotland with a fine knock of 48, coming in at number 10.

Elsewhere, CYM host Old Belvedere today and tomorrow it's YMCA's turn on the mat.