The Hills travelled to Merrion Cricket Club on Saturday to play the semi-final of the T20 Alan Murray Cup. In short Merrion were dismissed for 166 with Thomás Rooney Murphy taking 3 for 31 off 4, Stephen Doheny top scoring for Merrion with 65. Jonathan Tall and Cian Nulty the other wicket takers taking 2 and 1 respectively.

What followed in this observers view and that of many other onlookers was simply unbelievable and historic. Nicolaj Damgaard Laegsgaard and Cormac McLoughlin-Gavin opened for The Hills. Cormac started solidly but Nicolaj decided he was going to show what he can do with the bat and set about demolishing the Merrion attack. Our old colleague and friend Max Sorensen was despatched for 25 off his opening and only over. What followed was an incredible display of power hitting by Nicolaj as he went on to reach his century off 37 balls hitting 15 sixes and 2 fours. In fairness to Merrion they tried everything from leg spin, off spin, medium pace, fast pace but non of it made a difference. Cormac had been rotating the strike with Nicolaj during the onslaught but picked up the mantle once the first wicket fell to go on to make an undefeated 44 off 46 balls.

A quick note on the First X1 fixtures for tomorrow, we are playing Merrion in the first semi-final of the Alan Murray Cup at 11.30 and should we win that game we will progress to the final which will be played in Pembroke tomorrow evening at 16.30.

The Hills First X1 will be heading north once again for the second round of the Irish Senior Cup when we will be facing the winners of the Carrickfergus Vs Donemana refixed game. The second round will be played on Sunday the 4th of June. The full second round draw is as follows;

Mark Donegan proved again what a wonderful wicket keeper he is yesterday when he took six wickets for Leinster Lightning in their IP50 win against the North West Warriors at Bready Cricket Club. This performance equalled the previous record held for a wicket keeper in Interprovincial games.

The numbers drawn in The Lotto last evening were;

1, 6, 8 & 25

There was no winner of The Jackpot.

Lucky Dip winners were Sinéad Hoare & Michael Gavin, €25.00 each.

The Jackpot next week will be €6,550.00.

Many thanks to Specsavers, Swords, for the continued support.

The numbers drawn in The Lotto last evening were;

12, 14, 28 & 29

There was no winner of The Jackpot.

Lucky Dip winners were Sinéad Hoare & George Kitteringham, €25.00 each.

The Jackpot next week will be €6,500.00

On Friday last Jim Bennett launched his latest book which tells the story of The Hills Cricket Club from the start up to the present day.

Copies of the book, which costs €20.00, are available from Jim Bennett at jamespbennett66@gmail.com.

We are very saddened to hear news of the death of Naseer Shoukat’s mother in Pakistan earlier this week. We send our condolences, prayers and sympathies to Naseer and his extended family and friends at this sad time. May she rest in peace.