Brig Blues cause an upset in League Opener
First XI
At Jack Harper Park, Balbriggan beat YMCA by two wickets in a thrilling fight in the season opener. Balbriggan pulled off a superb chase to stun YMCA at Jack Harper Park with Andrew Darroch the home side hero with the bat and ball.
Earlier the YM total of 231/8 was dominated by stands of 91 between Jack Tector (64) and Curtis Campher (43), as well as 62 between Rory Anders (40) and Tim Tector (27). Darroch and Kashif Ali each claimed four wickets in a day to remember for the Fingal side. There was tight lines bowled by the boys in blue with Australian import Ryan Hadley opening proceedings going for 0/38 from his first 10 overs on Irish soil. With Kashif Ali’s first game back with Balbriggan following his move from Clontarf, putting a stop to third wicket partnership of Irish internationals Curtis Campher and Jack Tector for 91 runs.
With the bat, a shaky start was steadied however, Balbriggan looked down and out as two wickets apiece for Reuben Wilson, Tom Anders and Mitchell Thompson reduced them to 119 for 7 chasing 232. That was until. Darroch hit 12 fours and 2 sixes in his unbeaten 82 from just 68 balls, adding 84 in 18 overs with Ryan Hadley (28). When Hadley was dismissed 29 were still needed, but Darroch farmed the strike with Campbell Davies-Webb and clinched the two wickets win in the penultimate over amidst great celebration from Andre Botha’s side.
At Jack Harper MCG:
YMCA 231/8 (50 overs; Jack Tector 64, Curtis Campher 43, Rory Anders 40, Tim Tector 27; Kashif Ali 4/29, Andrew Darroch 4/51)Balbriggan 232/8 (48.3 overs; Andrew Darroch 82*, Farooq Nasr 33, Nathan Rooney 32, Ryan Hadley 28, Dylan Lues 23; Reuben Wilson 2/21, Tom Anders 2/47, Mitchell Thompson 2/51)
Second XI
The Second XI experienced a good start to the season, having lost the toss and being selected to bowled first . Although captain Samad would have done that even if they would have won the toss.
In a game where everyone one chipped in. We had a very balanced bowling side with both experience and youth. Haris opened bowling along with experienced Duane Harper. Haris was economical putting pressure on batters from other end while Duane gave us a breakthrough.
First change young Eoin Birch came to bowling with Campbell Davies Webb from the other end. Both bowled well taking 2 wickets each. Then came Shakir who was economical with bagging two wickets. But the pick of the bowlers for me was the debutant Malcolm McGregor who took 3 wickets.
Batting we lost early wickets but a good partnership from Eoin birch and Malcolm steered us home. Eoin birch 44 not out before retired hurt. And Malcom 28 not out. playing some impressing strokes to get there.
Overall it was a great team effort, backed up with great fielding as well.
Third XI
The Balbriggan third XI to a nice trip to Stradbally to play Laois second XI today and the long journey was well worth it with the lads coming away with an impressive win and making it two from two in the league 
Captained by the legendary Chuka we batted first putting 210 on the board in our 40 overs. Runs were shared around with Cian (46), Brian (34), Niall (31) Chuka (28), Noman and Waleed 19 a piece all adding to the total.
The boys in blue put Laois under huge pressure in the 2nd innings and the opening bowlers had Laois under the thumb from the start, 45 for 4 with 7 overs gone thanks super bowling from Aadi and Ifty. Excellent bowling and fielding had Laois all out for 143 in the 31st over with wickets for Ifty 3, Aadi 2, Druhan 2, Brian 1 noman 1.
A good day at the office for the lads 
Special Thanks to Erika Dunphy for the pictures.
Fourth XI
The fourth XI took a short spin to the Vineyard on Saturday afternoon, and after losing the toss, were put in to bat. Season veterans Chris McMahon and Martin Murphy opened proceedings. With the away side falling to 23-2 before Jose rocked in to steady the ship with Chris, putting on a 72 run partnership before Chris fell the last ball before drinks for 45. Jose continued to 40 before being bowled to leave the Brig 109-4.
Wickets continured to fall at regular intervals leaving Balbriggan just shy of a par score, failing to bat the overs.
With the ball, Balbriggan looking commanding in the opening overs, with Stephen Crawley removing opener Bhandara for 10 and then danger man Gaddy for 22. Finishing his overs for a clean 2-21 from his 8. The Boys in blue failed to breakthrough the 4th wicket partnership despite some clean chances!
Despite a breakthrough the Hills chased the boys total for 4 wickets with 14 balls remaining. A disappointing result, but one that will help to build on our experience.
