Semi-finals - game summaries
It's not how you start, it's how you finish
Six overs in Meeting Mr Miandad were scoring at over ten an over despite the loss of two early wickets; Christian Tynan scoring 38 runs off 20 balls, Jo March 24 of 12. At the same stage in their response, Spinney Wanderers were also two wickets down but had scored 21 runs fewer. However, that doesn't tell the whole story as they were already ahead of the required run rate.
This was because during overs 7-14 Spinney contained Mr Miandad's boys to 31 runs before they rallied to 148 for 7 at the close. After March was caught by Ridley off Naidu's bowling, Tynan (80) never had a partner stay around long enough to build the innings on the solid foundation laid early on. Ankeet Naidu did most damage taking 3-23 in reducing the run rate to 7.40.
After the loss of two cheap wickets, Dane Rouse (68); Jonty Traves (22); and keeper Babiya Seeman saw the Wanderers comfortably through to their second successive Irish Youth League Cup final. Spinney will hope to go one better this year.
Spinney Wanderers (#4) v Meeting Mr Miandad (#18)
Spinney Wanderers won by 6 wickets
MMM: 148-7 (C. Tynan 80, A. Naidu 3-23)
SW: 149-4 (D. Rouse 68, E. MacNamara 2-31)
Wolves at the final door
The two innings in the other followed a similar path until they diverged after 11 overs when there was only one run between their respective scores. For Shaktar the loss of three wickets for just five runs in the next two overs severely dented their progress. For the Wolves, Senan Scannell (57 not out) and Marcas Gamble (51 not out), who came together in the ninth over saw they home safely. The door closed for the Wolves in the first round last season but a year on they are now knocking at the final door hoping to be winners.
Shaktar Senseless (#37) v Celtic Wolves (#24)
Celtic Wolves won by 8 wickets
SS: 130-7 (H. Copeland 41, S. Scannell 2-2, E. Maxwell 2-13, F. Barr 2-29)
CW: 131-2 (S. Scannell 57*, M. Gamble 51*)
Leaders
Golden pads: Christian Tynan (Meeting Mr Miandad) 222 runs
Golden cap: Taral Soni (Corleone) 8 wickets for 64 runs
Golden gloves: Diarmuid McGrath (Meeting Mr Miandad) 9 catches and 2 stumpings.
Celtic Wolves (#24) road to the final
Second tier Save the Rhino have been the only opposition not to come from the third; Royal Eleven and Shaktar Senseless both beat First Division opponents. In previous rounds we have witnessed that they have a number of batters who can score runs and a number of bowlers who can take wickets; and Senan Scannell is currently hot!
- Round of 32: vs. Barnsley St. Peter's (#44); won by 5 wickets (M. Gamble 51*, F. Barr 1-20, E. Magesh 1-31)
- Round of 16: vs. Save the Rhino (#30); won by 5 wickets (D. Carter 41, E. Maxwell 3-15, K. Kielty 3-23)
- Quarter-final: vs. Royal Eleven (#7); won by 20 runs (S. Scannell 51, F. Barr 3-19)
- Semi-final: vs. Shaktar Senseless (#37); won by 8 wickets (S. Scannell 57*, M. Gamble 51*, S. Scannell 2-2, E. Maxwell 2-13, F. Barr 2-29)
Spinney Wanderers' (#4) road to the final
Spinney beat the highest ranked team, and favourites top-tier Vegas Venoms in the opening round but things have got a little easier from there on playing two from the 2nd and one from the 3rd division. Performances for both teams have been spread around and both like to bowl first but Spinney will probably start as favourites
- Round of 32: vs. Vegas Venoms (#2); won by 4 wickets (B. Seeman 66* , S. Shahab 2-17)
- Round of 16: vs. Blwe Scavengerz (#23); won by 10 wickets (S. Gomes 62*, M. Frick 56*, D. Rouse 2-16, D. Depay 2-24)
- Quarter-final: vs. Crzy Tornadoes (#45); won by 5 wickets (M. Frick 54, R. Burton 3-16)
- Semi-final: vs. Meeting Mr Miandad (#18); won by 6 wickets (D. Rouse 68, A. Naidu 3-23)
Watch the final here:
Celtic Wolves (#24) v Spinney Wanderers (#4)