A bright bit of resilience from Sathya Prabhu, batting at 7, brought the score within touching distance, but with his departure at 141-8, Limerick were asking too much.
With the first XI out of action for another week, attention turned to Division One where LCC’s second XI had the chance to start their second round of fixtures off on the right foot against UCC on Saturday.
The recent semi-final loss to the intervarsity team was still fresh in the player’s mind, and it was an opportunity to assert revenge for the Shannonsiders who were now three games without a win.
Having won the toss, skipper Dharmesh Patel elected to field. The return of Ramoji Alla was fortunate for the home side, himself and the everpresent Ahmedzai inflicting some early damage to the wicket column.
At 44-3 after 17 overs, UCC were in a spot of bother but a significant stand of 65 runs for the fourth wicket brought them back into contention at 109-4 after 30 overs.
Having wickets in hand meant the away side could afford the odd risk here and there, resulting in a further 66 runs being added to the total and a target of 176 to chase.
Despite a decent 40-run partnership between openers Yogesh Borghare and Nishant Kumar, Limerick lost their middle order structure as the cracks which have been there all season were exploited.
A respectable scoreline of 54-2 soon became 82-6, as Limerick failed to stem the momentum.
A bright bit of resilience from Sathya Prabhu, batting at 7, brought the score within touching distance. But with his departure at 141-8, Limerick were asking too much from their tail who would eventually be dismissed at 151.
RESULT| MCU Division One.
Limerick lost to UCC by 24 runs.
UCC 1: 175-9 off 45 overs.
Prasad Hedge 2-21
Ramoji Alla 2-29
Limerick 2: 151 all out off 40.2 overs.
Sathya Prabhu 37
Yogesh Borghare 36
The third XIs final game of their opening round of fixtures saw them entertain Cork County in Adare on Sunday, with both teams in strong contention for a top-half finish.
Some lovely spells of bowling from Limerick’s attack, namely Moshtaq Safi whose strong performance saw him finish with figures of 3-15 off just seven overs, made sure County were limited to just 132 from their innings, a target well within the reach of the home side.
However, Limerick’s batting order unraveled in rather nifty fashion. Mehmood and Hancock were both dismissed early via LBW and bowled respectively, and once again Limerick’s middle order showed little resilience to the opposition attack.
Wickets fell at a rate of knots as the home side just managed to get over the 50-run mark but still a significant amount short. The result means Limerick scrape into the top-half of the table, but any chances of a shot at the title may be in ruin following such a heavy loss.
RESULT| MCU Division Two.
Limerick lost to Cork County by 76 runs.
Cork County 3: 132 all out off 31.3 overs.
Moshtaq Safi 3-15
Abdul Baqi Khan 2-21
Limerick 3: 56 all out off 21.2 overs.
Nishant Kumar 18
Kumar Divyesh 10
The final result for the adults came on Saturday afternoon in Lisronagh, and was much improved on the results of the other Limerick sides.
WIth Clonmel batting quite well and reaching a final score of 156, Limerick had an uphill battle on their hands with not too many successful run chases passed the 150-mark this year.
Afghani youngster Zaheer Udin started to find the gaps in the field and continued to keep the scoreboard ticking despite the loss of multiple wickets around him.
Udin would carry his bat and get his side over the line with a maiden half-century for the season, and second of his career, as Limerick ran out eventual winners by three wickets.
RESULT| MCU Division Three.
Limerick defeated United Cricket Clonmel by 3 wickets today.
United Cricket Clonmel 2: 156 all out off 39 overs.
Shaoib Zazai 3-35
Khushal Bahramkhail 1-9
Limerick 4: 157-7 off 37.1 overs.
Zaheer Udin 51*
Waqas Mehmood 22
Next weekend sees the first XI return to action, as they face County Galway on Sunday in Adare. With the opening round of the Senior Cup looming, they will be looking to pick up some much needed form.
Elsewhere, the second XI will look to cause an upset against Cork County on Saturday, as they travel to the Mardyke.
The action is rounded off with the final adult game seeing the 3rd XI taking on United Cricket Clonmel on Sunday in Lisronagh.
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