The 5th XI's top-order batsmen were no doubt cursing the captain's decision to bat as they faced a moving ball in damp, gusty and overcast conditions.  After just 6 overs, Malahide had slumped to 19 for 4.  Mark Deacon lead the recovery with an attacking 34 to take us past 70.  Then Eoghan Keohane (23*) dug in with Neil Carrick in a partnership of 35 to bring up the hundred.  In the final overs Matthew Jeffrey-Carrick's quick-fire 13* off 7 balls gave us a total of 124 to defend.

Eoghan and Matthew rose to the challenge with a spell of outstanding bowling that had the home side reeling at 29 for 5 off 10.  Matthew's lively pace and probing line and length gave him 3 wickets (all bowled) for just 11 runs.  Eoghan's booming in-swing and control returned him 2 wickets for 32.  Terenure strove to recover but the first-change partnership of Howard Askew (3 for 20) and Oliver Manks pegged them back.  A valuable ninth-wicket stand was edging Terenure close to the target when Bala Vasudevan came on a removed their number 10's middle stump with his first ball.  A tense battle ensued before Bala took the final wicket to leave Malahide the victors by 14 runs.

Malahide's spirit in the field was superb.  The five youth players in particular (Adam Doyle, Paul Devine, Oliver, Eoghan and Matthew) were excellent in their attitude and application.  Adam took a vital catch on the boundary and Howard took two off his own bowling. Brian Thornes again displayed a safe pair of hands behind the stumps taking the winning catch and conceding just a single bye.

All in all this was a tremendous performance from a team that has really come together over the summer.