It’s not often that over 500 runs are scored in a 40-over game.  It’s even rarer that a team chasing 250 should win. 

Malahide’s opening bowlers Howard Askew (2-14) and Geoff Read (2-46) made early inroads into the Pembroke batting.  But the momentum shifted decisively to the opposition with a 150- plus 5th wicket partnership aided by some indifferent fielding and a lightning-fast outfield.  Shamil Kootembeth (1 wicket) and Dan Read (2 wickets) slowed the run rate towards the end, but still Pembroke reached 252 at the end of their 40 overs.

It’s a testament to the 5th team’s new-found belief that we set about the run-chase with a positive attitude from the start.  Mandip Kumar (69), Shamil (42) provided a solid basis with intelligent batting and good running between the wickets.  Once Mandip fell, Adam Doyle (51*) showed great maturity to see the innings through, supported by useful knocks from Brian Thornes and Matthew Jeffrey-Carrick and Geoff’s steady nerve at the end.  

Malahide reached 254 for 7 with 10 balls to spare.  A tremendous batting performance earned us hard-fought victory that had seemed remote at tea and gave welcome relief to the captain who’d allowed Pembroke to bat first.