CricketEurope - 23rd April 2017
TRINITY'S 1000th game in Leinster league and cup was marked with a win, as they beat Balbriggan by five wickets on the road.
The students had four debutants in their ranks, including Mohit Sane a student from Chandigarh; Josh Dascombe, their professional from Brisbane who has played twice for the USA; Railway Union bowler Niall Hunt; and Merrion's Leinster Schools batsman Matthew Strong.
Balbriggan, who lost quite a number of seasoned players during the close season had a youthful look to their team, including Zimbabwean U19 international Adam Keefe - studying at Griffith College - who is shighly rated by Heath Streak and Gavin Ewing, and who made 43 in the U19 World Cup against West Indies, the match made infamous by the Mankading incident.
Balbriggan started well, and were cruising on 53-1 when they lost Keefe thanks to a stunning pick up and throw by George Dockrelll - the Zimbabwean blisfully unaware Dockrell was a southpaw as he hit it to his left and ran! That was the key moment and after that Trinity turned the screw.
Dockrell returned the exceptional figures of 4 for 12 as Balbriggan were dismissed for 138. Dascombe took 2 for 28, including the wicket of overseas player, McGrath.
A solid opening stand of 57 between skipper Will von Behr and Danny Paul, an old school blocker, gave Trinity the perfect start.
Duane Harper came on as fourth change and made the breakthrough - he moved the ball a lot and took four wickets for 23 to bring the hosts right into the contest.
Trinity might have panicked on 73-4 but George Dockrell (28*) and Mohit Sane (34) settled the contest with a no-worries stand of 57 in 15 overs. Sane played some gorgeous shots and could be a very special talent when (if) the pitches harden up.
Balbriggan (2) lost to Dublin University (23) by 5 wickets.
Albert Harper Park, 22 April.
Balbriggan 138 (40.2 overs, A Harper 30, G Dockrell 4-12, J Dascombe 2-28)
Dublin University 139-5 (38.2 overs, M Sane 34, G Dockrell 28*, D Harper 4-23)