At Rathmines on Saturday, it was a case of apres an encouraging beginning, la deluge, as Merrion and Malahide met in the final of the Lewis Traub League. Torrential rain in the afternoon put paid to any hopes of a finish, and play will resume this evening at 5.30 pm.

Merrion are well placed, thanks to two good stands, first by Robbie Stanton and Gus Joyce, who put on 67 for the first wicket, followed by the Stanton-Bruce Hughes second wicket partnership, which realised 34 runs.

Merrion R Stanton lbw b Smith - 40 G Joyce c D Armstrong b C Armstrong - 28 B Hughes not out - 29 D Joyce not out - 26 Extras (b4, lb8, w5, nb3) - 20 - Total (for 2, 37 overs) - 143

To Bat: S King, A Thomas, R Dowse, D Poder, A Fleming, Dominic Joyce, M Kelly.

Fall of wickets: 1/67; 2/101.

Bowling: A Barnard 7-0-23-0; A Brophy 5-119-0; C Armstrong 13-1-43-1; A Weir 6-0-33-0; S Smith 6-0-19-1.

Play resumes at Rathmines this evening at 5.30.