Just how important is it to win the toss in the game of cricket?   There are so many variables involved and the weather can change in the blink of an eye : maybe the toss doesn't matter at all?   
Then again, perhaps the toss is everything.  Certainly, for the U13 squad, winning the toss and choosing to bat first has brought convincing wins this weekend on the top pitch.

From the minute SJ De Klerk and Rory Govan strode purposefully to the crease, some strong batting looked imminent.  SJ, opening for the team, played his shots from the outset and Rory steadfastly set about accumulating a total.  In the ninth over, with the score at 38, SJ sliced a drive to a player stationed at forward point.  He departed on 23 and unfortunately Ben Askew was adjudged LBW three balls later.  Ewan Haslett and Rory found it difficult to pierce the fielding circle and when Ewan fell to a sharp catch at the wicket for 1, Malahide were 3-53 from 15.   Binyan Keegan did his job well, hitting four quick fire singles before being stumped.  Eoghan Keohane then  hit 5 before Rory was stumped on the last ball of the innings for a well-compiled 23.  Malahide's total of 5 for 73 looked perhaps 20 runs shy of the minimum required : it is perhaps only from time at the crease that the batsman can learn to despatch the loose ball for what it deserves.

In defending such a small total, the lads were tasked with both bowling line and length and fielding at a 13A level.   The team responded well.  Diarmuid Burke and Ben each bowled 4 overs from the outset : those 8 overs cost a total of 13 runs, with strong supportive fielding especially from Daniel Murphy and Matthew Jeffrey-Carrick.  Although no wickets fell in those opening overs, North County were on the back foot.  Binyan entered the attack and the first delivery of his third over brought the first wicket. North County were 30 for 1 in the 13th.  From then on, wickets fell regularly.  Dan Read bowled a great length returning figures of 3 for 4 from his two overs.  Paul Devine also collected a wicket and with SJ orchestrating 5 run outs as North County tried for the extra runs, Malahide were able to restrict the opposition to 52.  First victory of the season for the lads, winning by 21 runs. 

Image of the victorious side enjoying first win of the season.  Well done to all the lads!