Cricket Round-up: The rain was once again the spoilsport in this miserable start to the season, with the majority of Saturday's matches in the first round of the Royal Liver Irish Senior Cup called off.

Merrion, however, did complete their first round match against Cork Harlequins at Anglesea Road and they duly coasted into the next round with a seven-wicket victory.

After being set a reasonable target of 202 by their visitors, opening batsmen Stephen Talbot and Joe Morrissey laid the platform for victory with a solid first wicket stand of 125.

Australian Talbot was particularly effective, hitting a splendid 97 not out.

At Park Avenue, Railway Union also earned their passage, although they had a much harder fight against Instonians before pulling through with just three wickets standing.

Due to the weather the game was curtailed to 38 overs aside and Instonians rattled up an impressive 205 for the loss of only two wickets. But with Kenny Carroll leading the charge with a man of the match 66 not out, and skipper Adrian Murphy and another Railway starlet, Gareth Carroll, also among the runs, they got the winning runs with four balls remaining.

Kinder weather prevailed for yesterday's LHW Leinster Senior League matches with just the game between North County and Rush being postponed.

At Park Avenue, Phoenix went on a scoring spree, making 287 for 5 off 50 overs with Jason Molins making 141 and Jeremy Bray (92) the main run getters. Railway were dismissed for 154.

Pembroke had an exciting, one-wicket victory over YMCA at Sydney Parade when they reached their objective of 148 with their last pair at the wicket.