Laois Cricket Club

The Laois first team were unlucky to lose to Pembroke by the narrowest of margins in Togher on Sunday. With both teams sitting mid-table in the Leinster League, both sides were hoping for a win to provide some breathing space above the relegation places.

Fielding first, Laois started well, and Pembroke struggled to score quickly. However, wickets were scarce as well, which allowed Pembroke to hit out in the second half of the innings, and despite impressive spells from Asif (4 wkts for 40 runs off 10 overs) and Clint Wilkie (2 wkts for 30 runs off 10 overs), Pembroke finished the innings with 221 runs.

Laois got off to flying start with the bat, as Masood (59) and John Ozenbrook rattled the ball to the boundaries before John Ozenbrook was out with the score on 65. Laois continued to score fast, and when Masood was dismissed with the score on 120 for 3, Laois looked comfortable. However, the next 4 wickets fell for only 40 runs leaving Laois requiring 50 runs for the last three wickets. With the score on 220 for 8 (2 runs required to win), an excellent short catch, followed by an LBW off the next ball took the final two Laois wickets and handed Pembroke a one run victory. Had any other batsman been able to stay with Clint Wilkie who scored a cool and steady 48 not out, Laois would have come home as easy victors.

The third team continued their impressive season with a victory in Old Belvedere on Sunday. Batting first, Laois scored 153 runs, with Shiva top scoring on 45. In the field, they dismissed Old Belvedere for a total of 100 runs to take a 53 run victory. Best of the bowling came from Ben Hur (4 wkts for 9 runs) and D Walker (2 wkts for 21 runs). The thirds will be hoping to build on their strong performances in the League when they play Merrion in the Junior Cup on Saturday.