Kerry firsts triumph in Galway

ON the Kerry first team squad took on Galway at The Lydican.

The Kerry men batted first and compiled 152, with contributions from Mourad, who top scored with 23, and Owais Bilal and Shiva Katta, who both chalked up 21. At first sight 151 may have looked a little below par, but conditions favoured the bowlers and the Kerry squad made hay while the sun slowly began to shine.

After a recent run of losses, this match was a welcome return to winning ways for the Kingdom first squad as they rattled Galway out for 115. This was a real team effort with Shani Alam leading the way with three wickets, two for both Sadij and Sean Rutland, while Owais and Azeem chipped in with one each.

This was a real fighting response from the Kerry bowlers backed up by some sharp fielding including veteran Dave Ramsay, yet again rolling back the years.

Kerry 1sts: 152 all out, beat Galway 1sts, 115 all out, by 37 runs.

Thirds

SUNDAY saw a new local derby in the Munster second division between Kerry third squad and North Kerry at the Oyster Oval in Spa.

This is the first season in the Munster competition for North Kerry, who are still searching for that crucial first win to prove that they belong, but Kerry thirds were not troubled by their local rivals, racking up an impressive 390 for 6 wickets, setting new record at the Oyster Oval just a week after visitors Newbuildings set 318 as the benchmark.

Navroop Johnson led the way setting a new County Kerry Cricket Club record, with an outstanding innings of 172 not out, superbly supported by 109 from Jonathan Boulding.

In reply, North Kerry were unable to match the run rate. With wickets falling regularly, and inspite of a defiant 52 not out from captain Gary Pickett, the visitors from ‘just up the road’ were dismissed for 184.

Kerry 3rds: 390 - 6: Johnson 172 n.o., Boulding 109, Ali 2-46

North Kerry: 184 all out: Picket 52 n.o., Richard Rutland 3 - 25

Kerry win by 206 runs

FIXTURES

SATURDAY, JULY 23 Kerry 3rds v UCC, Munster Minor Cup Final. Venue: Oyster Oval. SUNDAY JULY 24 Limerick Co 1sts v Kerry 1sts, Munster Premier Division. Venue: Adare. North Kerry v Cork Harlequins 3rds, Munster 2nd Division. Venue: Oyster Oval

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Midfield battle between Billy Maguire Legion and Mike Burke Milltown Castlemaine in the Kerry County Credit Union league at Milltown on Saturday