Cork County continued their charge towards regaining the Munster League Division 1 title after a hard fought victory against Limerick Raiders at the Mardyke on Sunday. County knew that victory against the Shannon-siders would put them in a commanding position in the Division 1 title race with a crunch tie against second placed Midleton on the horizon. The match also acted as a precursor to the upcoming 2010 Munster Senior Cup final where the two sides will go head to head in Munster’s showpiece event.
Limerick captain Azeem Khan won the toss and opted to bat first in perfect conditions at the Mardyke. Limerick’s innings struggled to get any momentum until Usman Khan (36) joined number three batsman Asif (60) at the crease. Their partnership pushed the Raiders towards the respectable total of 159 after they were finally bowled out in the 42nd over. Some excellent bowling from the ever dependable Bruce Koch (3-30) and medium pacer Matt Reed (3-30) proved too much for the Limerick side. Seamer James Duggan (2-35) and off-spinner Andrew Saul (2-43) also chipped in with some wickets.
In reply openers Ross Durity and Oliver Creedon aimed to provide a solid start to the Cork County run chase and in form Durity was soon into his stride with some splendid shots down the ground and square of the wicket. Creedon was unlucky to be caught behind down the leg side and he was followed by West Indian Andrew Saul who misjudged a leave and was clean bowled. Cork County’s star player of 2010, Bruce Koch, joined Durity out in the middle and they two were eager to build a big partnership to bring the home side close to the required total. Durity (23) was caught behind after he got the finest of edges to a ball from Limerick stalwart Shani Alam. County youngster Chris Banon soon followed Durity after he was adjudged LBW by umpire Jack Russell in the same over. 
The Cork County skipper, Robert Duggan, joined Koch at the crease and both consolidated and began building a comfortable partnership nullifying the Limerick attack pushing County towards the required 160 runs. However, after a mix up between the two, Duggan was run out and suddenly the County lower middle order was under pressure once again. Duggan’s run out was soon followed by the departure of Koch who mistimed a leg side glace and was caught by Farrukh Bhagat. Darren Fogarty soon followed Koch when he was run out after a silly mix up with his partner Michael Wycherley. County’s cup semi-final hero Matt Reed (24*) and Wycherley re-established some control and both brought he Mardyke side to within touching distance of victory until Wycherley was superbly caught and bowled by Farrukh Bhagat. Suddenly a few nerves returned to the County supporters as tail ender James Duggan joined Reed in the middle with only seven runs required. Reed’s cool and calm demeanor ensured that he was unaffected by any nerves and he coolly scored the winning runs which clinched a vital victory for Cork County as they now turn their attention to second placed Midleton next week knowing that victory there would all but clinch their first Division 1 title in over two years.
Sunday August 8th:
Cork County 161-8 beat Limerick Raiders 159 all out by 2 wickets at the Mardyke scorecard
Cork County’s remaining Munster Division 1 fixtures:
Sunday August 15th v Midleton at College Park
Sunday August 22nd v Cork Harlequins at the Mardyke
Saturday September 4th v WIT at the Mardyke
Saturday September 18th v WIT at the Mardyke