The Development team took the field for the first time this season with some veterans from last year and some new members in pursuit of further development.

Put into bat on another sun-drenched afternoon, Malahide began brightly.  Matthew Jeffrey-Carrick and Danny O’Brien put on a partnership of 103 for the second wicket.  Matthew scored his maiden Malahide 50 and Danny fell just one run short of his.  Their partnership gave others the freedom to attack, which Ronan Furlong did with aplomb for a quick-fire 21.  Malahide reached a respectable 163 for 6 off 30 overs.

Tight bowling from Isobel McCormack and Sarah Brophy at the start and then Aaron Doyle (2-27) and Danny O’Brien put pressure on Rush.  At drinks Rush were still a hundred runs short of the target.  But their young number 3, Karl Flynn (72*), held the innings together and once he was joined by their more experienced lower batsmen Malahide’s bowlers were made to toil.

The second half of the Rush innings on a lightning-fast outfield was a real test but Malahide fielders chased everything, especially Oliver Jeffrey-Carrick.  Sofia Hilmi and Ronan shared wicket-keeping duties and were both excellent.  Shane Egan’s return to cricket was marked by faultless fielding and batting that calls for a little bit more development.

In the end Rush reached the target in the 27th over with 5 wickets in hand.  A good contest and a proper test for our young players.