Thrilla in Manila.  Not quite.  But not far off on Pitch 2.  The runs flowed on another belter of a day in the first round of the Intermediate Cup versus Mullingar 2.  Over 500 runs, it went to the wire, to the last over, to the last wicket. 

Batting first Malahide began strongly.  Captain Brian Gilmore continued his good form with a measured century 102.  Shamil Kootembeth 50 stroked his way to a composed 50 which included 18 singles.  The score was bolstered by a late order partnership of 50 between Alex Davies 26* and Suhaib Naseem 18.  Malahide 253 for 9 off 40 overs.  The Midlanders got off to a flyer and consequently were always ahead of an imposing rate on a pitch narrowed by encroaching stands.  Parvaz 82 and Captain Rob Delaney 51 did the damage.    It looked as if it was game over until teenage leg spinner Jared Leonard picked up 3 wickets after some initial tap - 3/68.  Vikas Purbiya also showed his quality in batting friendly conditions with 3 for 36 off 8 overs.  Young Ben Askew held 2 skiers on the boundary and even younger Jack Grant showed great promise on his debut behind the sticks for the 4ths with 2 catches.  Alas, Mullingar snatched it in the last over winning by the narrowest of margins.

Brian Gilmore