Irish Youth League Plate – S61

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Competition Details
The League Plate is open to any youth teams in tiers 3 and 4 of the Irish One Day pyramid that did not get a place in the League Cup or that are knocked out in the first round of the League Cup.

• It is a T20 knock-out cup.

• There will 16 teams (or 32, if sufficient teams accept).

• It is a random draw (no seeding).

• Games are played on a Wednesday.

• Entry is free.

• We ask that those who can consider pulling Ireland youth players as their donation.

• Local weather conditions will be applied and the pitch prepared is at the whim of the groundskeeper (randomly selected).

Competition Timeline

• 17 April: Tier 3 and 4 teams not in the League Cup will be invited.

• 23 April: Tier 3 and 4 teams knocked out in the first round of the League Cup will be invited on, or around, this date.

Muggles Cricket Club
Donna's Kebabs
Applewood Crossing
Dublin Devils
Weston Super Mud CC
The Irish Super Giants
Barnsley St. Peter's
The Cross Lances

• 30 April: Is the deadline for entry

• 7 May: The first round will be played.

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Roll of Honour

Season 60:

• Winner: Woodlands CC

• Runner-up: The Dragon Warrior

• Semi-finalists: North Cardiff Cosmos; Warne's Shanenanigans (left)

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First Round
Note: Rankings used are as of the start of the season.

Draw
Trinity (42) v Blazing Dragons Cricket Club (63) [Youth Rivalry: 0-0]
Woodlands CC (27) v Xessux Club (60) [Youth Rivalry: 1-0]
Western Suburbs Hacks (44) v Split the G (New) [Youth Rivalry: 0-0]
FPCC Ireland (66) v Galway Gladiators CC (46) [Youth Rivalry: 1-0]
Ireland Lions (49) v Aripal Qalandars (73) [Youth Rivalry: 0-0]
All Leeds Aren't We (45) v Rocket City Trash Pandas (43) [Youth Rivalry: 0-0]
Q Dragon Empire (68) v St Johns Athletic (57) [Youth Rivalry: 0-0]
Insane Inglewood Posse (50) v Babylon5 (59) [Youth Rivalry: 1-2]

Selected highlights
This competition is all about new rivalries, only one matchup has ever met in the Youth League and two others have met in the recent Irish Youth League Cup or Plate.

Woodlands CC (27) v Xessux Club (60)
One of those involved the current holders Woodlands CC and Xessux Club who met in last year's Plate Quarter-Final. Xessux must be cursing their luck because Woodlands were by far the highest ranked entrant at the end of last season. Bernard Fahey scored 107 and the two Hooks took seven wickets between them. Woodland keep a young squad, eight of the team that played last year will be available this (sorry Xessux).

FPCC Ireland (66) v Galway Gladiators CC (46)
These two had a closer encounter in the first round of last year's Irish Youth League Cup when the Gladiators run chase falling just 12 runs short. Both teams ranking have fallen since last year but Galway look like favourites for this time round.

Insane Inglewood Posse (50) v Babylon5 (59)
Inglewood and Babylon have met three times in the league but we can't draw any conclusions from the results as they last met in Season 55. On the end of season ranking it will be the Posse along with the Ireland Lions, All Leeds Aren't We, and Rocket City Trash Pandas doing battle in the quarters and semis to make the final from the bottom half of the draw.

Western Suburbs Hacks (44) v Split the G (New)
Not just new rivalries but one new team in the draw, please welcome affiliate team Split the G ,and their owner DannoWilts, into our Irish League community but don't expect them to make round two (sorry Danno).

Good luck stopping Woodlands CC (sorry everyone else); lets see if one of you can up your game and take the title. Challenge accepted?

Results
Trinity 113-3 (16.1) v Blazing Dragons Cricket Club 108-10 (18.3)
Woodlands CC 154-1 (12.5) v Xessux Club 149-4 (20)
Western Suburbs Hacks 219-4 (20) v Split the G 146-6 (20)
FPCC Ireland 112-8 (20) v Galway Gladiators CC 184-4 (20)
Ireland Lions 167-3 (20) v Aripal Qalandars 103-10 (19.4)
All Leeds Aren't We 126-6 (20) v Rocket City Trash Pandas 127-2 (13.5)
Q Dragon Empire 89-7 (20) v St Johns Athletic 90-1 (11.5)
Insane Inglewood Posse 156-2 (16) v Babylon5 155-4 (20)

Trí chonair na héiginnteachta
Blame Google translate
Woodlands, Galway, Western Suburbs Hacks, Insane Inglewood Posse and Ireland Lions all progressed as predicted; but All Leeds Aren't We and Rocket City Trash Pandas didn't have the close game as expected. In fact there wasn't a close game to comment on, here's hoping that the quarter finals serve up better fare.

Leaders
Silver pads, for most runs scored by a batter:

• 95 - Roland Paul (Western Suburbs Hacks)

• 94 - Brandon Patterson (Babylon5)

• 90 - Robert Janties (Galway Gladiators CC)

• 81 - Marthinus Steensma (Western Suburbs Hacks)

• 75 - Darryl Facy (All Leeds Aren't We)

Silver cap, for most wickets taken by a bowler:

• 5-18 Subhash Bhatia (rfs, Trinity)

• 4-23 Gerard Chapman (rfs, Ireland Lions)

• 4-27 Washington Mokoena (rm, Galway Gladiators CC)

• 3-17 Bruce Seib (lm, Galway Gladiators CC)

• 3-25 Dermott Mitten (rfm, Rocket City Trash Pandas)

Silver gloves, for most dismissals involving the keeper:

• 4 (4c, 0st) - Ivor Miller (Western Suburbs Hacks)

• 3 (3c, 0st) - Nicholas Coupar (Trinity)

• 2 (2c, 0st) - Dave Tone (Woodlands CC)

• 2 (2c, 0st) - Jack Stenhouse (St Johns Athletic)

• 2 (2c, 0st) - Lee Gallagher (Ireland Lions)

• 2 (2c, 0st) - Timothy Desmond (Split The G)

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Quarter Finals
Note: Rankings used are as of the start of the season.

Draw
Trinity (42) v Woodlands CC (27) [Youth Rivalry: 0-1]
Western Suburbs Hacks (44) v Galway Gladiators CC (46) [Youth Rivalry: 9-13]
Ireland Lions (49) v Rocket City Trash Pandas (43) [Youth Rivalry: 0-0]
St Johns Athletic (57) v Insane Inglewood Posse (50) [Youth Rivalry: 1-1]

Selected highlights
A couple of these games look like they could be tight but my predictions for the Youth League Cup were somewhat awry, but here goes.
Ireland Lions (49) v Rocket City Trash Pandas (43)
The Pandas are the only Division 4 side left in the competition but still look more than a match for the Lions. They bit division three opposition last time round but it could go either way.

Western Suburbs Hacks (44) v Galway Gladiators CC (46)
Another close match up expected between these old rivals but Galway look like they should just pip the Hacks to the finish.

St Johns Athletic (57) v Insane Inglewood Posse (50)
Their ranking at the start of the season, and still now, looks close. Both teams won comfortably in the first round but maybe the A's could spring a small surprise depending on which type of Posse turns up: the on that means business or the one out for a social gathering.

Trinity (42) v Woodlands CC (27)
Last year's winners, Woodlands, are still my favourites to go all the way in this year's Plate; but at least Trinity should provide a bit of test and so there is no cause for complacency.

Results
Trinity 163-4 (20) v Woodlands CC 170-4 (20)
Western Suburbs Hacks 172-3 (20) v Galway Gladiators CC 148-3 (20)
Ireland Lions 134-4 (20) v Rocket City Trash Pandas 130-7 (20)
St Johns Athletic 221-2 (20) v Insane Inglewood Posse 207-8 (20)

Trí chonair na héiginnteachta
Blame Google translate
Ireland Lions (49) v Rocket City Trash Pandas (43)
Division 4 Pandas nearly proved to be too big for Division 3 Lions to swallow. There was only one run between then with an over to go; both teams lost two wickets in the chase but Jaul Khoury (3-25) contained the Pandas to five runs when they needed ten. Captain Bernard O'Regan top scored for the Lions with 71.

Western Suburbs Hacks (44) v Galway Gladiators CC (46)
I got this one very wrong. The scoring rate from over 12 onwards made the difference, Galway's run chase was 9 runs ahead in comparison at this stage. However, after captain Kagiso Xakwe's wicket fell they only added 67 runs whereas in the earlier innings the Hacks accumulated 100. Western Suburbs captain, Ivor Miller, also led from the front with his undefeated 75.

St Johns Athletic (57) v Insane Inglewood Posse (50)
As predicted the A's sprung a small surprise after smashing a towering 221 runs on a flat pitch; Ashley Clews (113*), Hylke van Delft (50*). Lots of batters got in but none stayed long enough for a big score. A series of unfortunate incidents caused three run outs as the Posse tried to chase down St Johns, for which Khizar Ghauri took 3 for 22.

Trinity (42) v Woodlands CC (27)
Last year's winners, Woodlands, did progress as predicted; and Trinity did indeed give a good account of themselves. Both innings had a big third wicket stand: Fahey (102) and Egan (33) put on 80 off 55 balls; Clarke (54) and King (62) responded with 98 off 77 for Trinity but it was Bernard Fahey's century that prevailed.

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SemiFinals
Note: Rankings used are as of the start of the season.

Draw
Woodlands CC (27) v Western Suburbs Hacks (44) [Youth Rivalry: 5-1]
As last year's winners, Woodlands CC remain unbeaten in this competition and we think that it is likely to continue. Bernard Fahey is one of the highest scoring players in the cup with 157 runs from his two games. However, the Western Suburbs do look as if they have a strong batting line-up too in Roland Paul (129), Marthinus Steensma (100) and captain Ivor Miller (86). Do expect a lot of runs on a hard pitch.

Ireland Lions (49) v St Johns Athletic (57) [Youth Rivalry: 0-0]
Although the Lions only squeaked through the last round and face their first Division 3 opponents in the A's; they still look like favourites to make the final. The Lions' bowling attack seems to have the fire power to take wickets too with: Gerard Chapman (5), Jaul Khoury (4), Fergal Duddy (4) and Wallace Blades (3). Both teams may well struggle for runs on a slow pitch which might be a relief for Ireland as Ashley Clews hit 123 in the last round for St Johns; this year's top score.

Our prediction: a Woodlands CC (27) v Ireland Lions (49) final.

Trí chonair na héiginnteachta
Blame Google translate
Woodlands CC (27) v Western Suburbs Hacks (44)
Phew what a scorcher!

The Hacks were making good progress after six overs of their innings at 74 without loss, until Woodlands struck back with three consecutive four run overs and the loss of Roland Paul's (56) wicket. Western Suburbs continued to keep the scoreboard ticking but were regularly interrupted by the loss of wickets finishing with 189-7. Woodlands' spinners had most joy; Jason Tiernan (1-28) was most economical and wristy Dinny Buckley (4-35) saw off most batsmen.

Woodlands also made a good start to their innings through skip Brandon Kenna (53), Bernard Fahey (45) and Cameron Egan (42). They were always ahead of the required run rate but from over 7 onwards the Hacks' restrictive bowling slowly but surely dragged their team back into contention. With one over remaining Woodlands needed nine runs; after three balls, three singles and a run out their fans would be forgiven for getting hot under the collar until Sam Ennis smashed it over point to the boundary for four. Even then a single of the next ball left Dave Tone needing one off just his second ball; he duly obliged and in doing so just prevented the favourites being upset by the Hacks.

Ireland Lions (49) v St Johns Athletic (57)
I choose to make predictions but this weeks weren't my best. The Hacks came much closer to an upset than I expected and the As overturned the Lions with apparent ease. They seemed to adapt to the slow batting track better of the two sides with solid partnerships throughout and a really explosive 31 off 11 balls to finish. Kenny Heidrich (51) and Rob Rosser (62*) hit most of the runs. The Lions started well in response but no partnership got established until the end when Selvam Sepala and Gerald Chapman came together hitting 52 off the last 29 balls, but they still feel 21 balls short.

Leaders
Silver pads, for most runs scored by a batter:

• 202 - Bernard Fahey (Woodlands CC)

• 185 - Roland Paul (Western Suburbs Hacks)

• 159 - Robert Janties (Galway Gladiators CC)

• 142 - Kenny Heidrich (St Johns Athletic)

• 138 - Marthinus Steensma (Western Suburbs Hacks)

• 135 - Ashley Clews (St Johns Athletic)

Silver cap, for most wickets taken by a bowler:

• 6-57 Subhash Bhatia (rfs, Trinity)

• 6-61 Gerard Chapman (rfs, Ireland Lions)

• 6-105 Bernard Fahey (Woodlands CC)

• 5-57 Khizar Ghauri (lws, St Johns Athletic)

• 5-62 Washington Mokoena (rm, Galway Gladiators CC)

• 5-89 Jaul Khoury (rf, Ireland Lions)

• 5-98 Fergal Duddy (rm, Ireland Lions)

Silver gloves, for most dismissals involving the keeper:

• 4 (4c, 0st) - Ivor Miller (Western Suburbs Hacks)

• 4 (4c, 0st) - Dave Tone (Woodlands CC)

• 4 (3c, 1st) - Lee Gallagher (Ireland Lions)

• 4 (3c, 1st) - Jack Stenhouse (St Johns Athletic)

• 3 (3c, 0st) - Nicholas Coupar (Trinity)

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The Final
Note: Rankings used are as of the start of the season.

Draw
Woodlands CC (27) v St Johns Athletic (57) [Youth Rivalry: 0-0

Preview
Woodlands youth team ranking has been on the decline, but the squad is young and will only get stronger. In the As they face a young but slighter more experienced side on the incline. For me this epitomises why I created the plate to give teams lower down the pyramid to test themselves against their peers. So who will win? Let's take a look at the teams, shall we?

Their Road to the Final
#27 Woodlands CC (Youth 3.3)
Last season's winners led by opener Brandon Kenna will be looking to repeat. Kenna is ably supported at the top of the batting order by Bernard Fahey and Cameron Egan. Woodlands seem to like shuffle other batters around this core but it will include wicketkeeper Dave Tone. Top wicket taker John Moran has moved onto the seniors, spinners Dinny Buckley and Jason Tiernan will fill in likely with four other bowlers including two allrounders Alan Casey and Sam Ennis.

Currently ranked #31 and #32 but facing relegation from Youth Twenty20 2.1 and third in Youth 3.3, they will undoubtedly be considering whether they can three-peat next year?!

Round One v #60 Xessux Club (Youth 4.5), won by 9 wickets

• X: 149-4 (20); W: 154-1 (12.5)

• MOTM: Bernard Fahey (55* and one catch)

Quarter Final v #42 Trinity (Youth 3.3), won by 7 runs

• W: 170-4 (20); T: 163-4 (20))

• MOTM: Bernard Fahey (102)

Semi Final v #44 Western Suburbs Hacks (Youth 3.4), won by 5 wickets

• WSH: 189-7 (20); W: 190-5 (20)

• MOTM: Dinny Buckley (4-35)

#47 St Johns Athletic (Youth 3.4)
This season St Johns have improved their ranking from #57 to #51, they are two wins above relegation in Youth 3.4 and in a promotion fight with Blazing Dragons Cricket Club on Youth Twenty20 4.4. I guess my point is they are hardly setting the cricket world alight. They won convincingly against Division 4 opponents in round one beat solid opponents in the quarters but probably made the semis relatively unnoticed. However, in the last round they upset a strong looking Ireland Lions and now they question is "are we at risk of underestimating them again?"

Woodlands would do so at their peril, because they are facing a very versatile group of players. Ashley Clews, Kenny Heidrich and Rob Rosser provide a pretty strong start to their batting line-up and Heidrich (rfm) takes wickets too (with the ball and in the field seemingly. Rodney Kenny (lm) and Khizar Ghauri (lws) offer a left arm alternative and a change of pace in the bowling attack. Rosser can fill in behind the stumps but Jack Stenhouse has been preferred in the cup so far.

Round One v #68 Q Dragon Empire (Youth 4.2), won by 9 wickets

• QDE: 89-7 (20); SJA: 90-1 (11.5)

• MOTM: Kenny Heidrich (0-10, one runout and 58 not out)

Quarter Final v #50 Insane Inglewood Posse (Youth 3.4), won by 14 runs

• SJA: 221-2 (20); IIP: 207-8 (20)

• MOTM: Ashley Clews (113 not out and a run out)

Semi Final v #49 Ireland Lions (Youth 3.2), won by 22 runs

• SJA: 163-4 (20); IL: 141-6 (20)

• MOTM: Kenny Heidrich (51, 2-15 and a catch)

Our prediction: A great year for St. Johns but I predicting that Woodlands will be two-thirds of the way through a possible three-peat. No pressure then!

Trí chonair na héiginnteachta
Blame Google translate
#27 Woodlands CC (division) v #57 St Johns Athletic (division)
[Youth Rivalry:0-0]

You want a great final, I give you a great final. This one between Plate holders Woodlands and the up and coming As. Captain and opener Brandon Kenna won the toss and opted to lead from the front by batting first. With Bernard Fahey (42) he then proceeded put on an impressive 90 off 61 balls. Cameron Egan (44) then picked up where Fahey left off adding a further 19 with Kenna (57) and 50 with Sam Ennis (21) before three wickets fell in the last three overs. Allrounder Kenny Heidrich took a tidy 2-26, but 187-5 felt like it would be a good score on a slow wicket and possibly too much for St Johns to compete with.

Kenny Heidrich (21) and Ashley Clews (36) also made a solid start, matching Woodlands progress earlier. After a couple of wickets Hylke van Delft came in and first with Rob Rosser (18) added 42 and then 56 with Elliott Eade (23) taking the score onto 157-4 just after 17 overs needing 31 runs to win off the final 17 balls. Whether it was the excitement of approaching the finish line, panic or something else, St Johns then ran between the wickets:

• 18.3 Stenhouse (1) is run out when slipping going for a second run

• 18.6 Man of the match van Delft (78) is run out caught miles from the crease by a direct hit

• 19.1 Ghauri's (1) stumps are demolished the very next ball

• 19.2 Kenny punches the ball through the covers for a four leaving the Athletic wanting a manageable five runs off four balls to win.

• 19.3 Dot ball

• 19.4 Perez declines the run and sends Kenny (4) back for the run out

• 19.5 Sarra (1) scores one off his first ball but is run out when he slips coming back for a second

• 19.6 Ralepelle (0) is run out without facing a ball, chasing the tying run after running two hit by Perez (2)

So Woodlands reclaim their title and remain unbeaten in the plate after the As five suicidal run outs. I have already predicted that a three-peat is on the cards; I guess it depends on the quality of the sides coming down from Division 2. Congratulations go to mscowley547 and Peteellis65 who both win an award of Pavilion membership plus thanks to everyone who took part. I hope those of you who quality will join us again next year and perhaps you could encourage other Division 3 and 4 sides to do the same so we start next season's plate with 32 instead of 16.

Game details
Weather: Humid; Pitch: Slow
Toss: Woodlands CC won the toss and elected to bat.
Innings 1: Woodlands CC 187-5 (20)
Brandon Kenna (57), Cameron Egan (44), Bernard Fahey (42); Kenny Heidrich (rfm 2-26)
Innings 2: St Johns Athletic 186-10 (20)
Hylke van Delft (78), Ashley Clews (36); Ivor Hook (lfm, 2-28), C. Moran (lf, 2-45)
Result: Woodlands CC won by 1 run
Man of the match: Hylke van Delft

Leaders
Silver pads, for most runs scored by a batter:

• 244- Bernard Fahey (Woodlands CC)

• 185 - Roland Paul (Western Suburbs Hacks)

• 172 - Cameron Egan (Woodlands CC)

• 171 - Ashley Clews (St Johns Athletic)

• 163 - Kenny Heidrich (St Johns Athletic)

Silver cap, for most wickets taken by a bowler:

• 6-57 Subhash Bhatia (rfs, Trinity)

• 6-61 Gerard Chapman (rfs, Ireland Lions)

• 6-105 Dinny Buckley (Woodlands CC)

• 5-62 Washington Mokoena (rm, Galway Gladiators CC)

• 5-85 - Kenny Heidrich (St Johns Athletic)

• 5-89 Jaul Khoury (rf, Ireland Lions)

• 5-96 Khizar Ghauri (lws, St Johns Athletic)

• 5-98 Fergal Duddy (rm, Ireland Lions)

Silver gloves, for most dismissals involving the keeper:

• 6 (5c, 1st) - Jack Stenhouse (St Johns Athletic)

• 5 (5c, 0st) - Dave Tone (Woodlands CC)

• 4 (4c, 0st) - Ivor Miller (Western Suburbs Hacks)

• 4 (3c, 1st) - Lee Gallagher (Ireland Lions)

• 3 (3c, 0st) - Nicholas Coupar (Trinity)

Player of the Tournament

• Kenny Heidrich (St Johns Athletic) 393 points