Balbriggan’s unbeaten Premiership start continued as they stunned The Hills defending what looked like a below par total of 159. They looked in trouble at 59 for 5, but skipper Greg Ford made a vital 40, shepherding the tail, as the last five wickets put on 100. Jonathan Tall and Tomas Rooney-Murphy each took three wickets for the home side, while there were two each for Dylan Blignaut and Levon Shields. With Cormac McLoughlin-Gavin (37) lookin,g set and the visitors on 83 for 2, it seemed to be in control for the visitors, before the wheels came off. Three wickets for Ryan Hadley, plus two apiece for Andrew Darroch and Dylan Lues, sparked a fightback that resulted in Fingal bragging rights for the surprise package of the top flight.

Pembroke clinched a 37-run win over a spirited Malahide in a high scoring encounter at Sydney Parade. James Newland took two early wickets including Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie third ball, on his way to a six-wicket haul, before Pembroke rallied. Firstly through Lorcan Tucker (41) and JJ Garth (33), and then with a match defining fifth wicket partnership between Theo Lawson and Poonish Mehta. Lawson top-scored with 73 from 83 balls (6 fours, 1 six), as he and Mehta (55) added 123 in 22 overs, which saw them post 255 – Newland 6 for 40. The chase looked to be on target for an exciting end as Ali Frost (87), Matt Ford (34) and Fintan McAllister (42) took them to 163 for 3, but with the required rate creeping up, scoreboard pressure told, and they faltered to 218 all out – three wickets for Gavin Hoey, two for Barry McCarthy, and final one to Andy Balbirnie.

YMCA survived a late wobble to beat Clontarf, ending a turbulent week for the Castle Avenue side after the departure of their Head Coach. They were reeling at 12 for 4, with two wickets each for Mikey O’Reilly and Reuben Wilson. David Delany (22) and Fionn Hand (14) rallied briefly, but once again when they went, the board read 57 for 6 and they were in deep trouble. Andrew Vincent (49) and Bobbo Forrest (46) fought back with a 7th wicket stand of 67 to give the bowlers something to defend, 163 all out. Curtis Campher (3-19) and Tom Anders (2-23) also among the wickets. Jack Tector (71) dominated an opening stand of 54 with Simi Singh (13), and when he and younger sibling Tim (36) added a further 59, it appeared to be a stroll in the park. However, Clontarf battled right to the end, and with Fionn Hand taking four wickets, plus two apiece for Ruan Cronje and Mick Granger, there were a few nerves, before the winning runs were scored.

Merrion fought back from a poor start to beat Phoenix by 20 runs at Anglesea Road. Three wickets for Theo Dempsey, including the prize scalp of John Anderson had the visitors in the ascendancy. However, a dogged fifth wicket stand of 66 between Jack Carty and Franco Marais, both of whom made half centuries, saw Merrion make 178. George Dockrell (46) and Stephen Black (27) gave the chase a solid platform, but despite quick cameos from Tyrone Kane (33) against his former club, and Theo Dempsey (25), Phoenix fell 20 short. Carty completed an excellent all-round day by taking 4 for 19, while there were two wickets each for Swapnil Modgill and skipper Tom Stanton.