Balbriggan won the Fingal derby against The Hills to give themselves some breathing space in their quest for a historic Premiership crown in the year of the underdog.

Andrew Darroch’s five-wicket haul was chiefly responsible for bowing out The Hills for 162. Dylan Blignaut (38) and Andrew Kavanagh (30) top-scored for the home side in a disappointing batting effort. An opening stand of 125 between Connor Fletcher and Ghanim Dara all but settled the contest as they chased a revised target of 146. Fletcher top-scored with 79 from 87 balls (9 fours, 3 sixes), while Dara’s unbeaten 44 ensured the six wickets win after they wobbled losing four wickets for fve runs when the finishing line was in sight.

Hunter Kindley scored his second century in two weeks as Malahude thumped Pembroke by 185 runs. Kindley’s 113 from 118 balls included 14 fours and a six and propelled the village side to 301 for 8 – runs too for Matt Ford 46, plus 35 apiece for Arrjun Muntha and Fintan McAllister. Pembroke’s chase never got going, with Diarmaid Tucker’s 24 the best of their 116 all out. Michael Frost took four wickets, while skipper James Newland claimed a brace. Pembroke will be boosted by the short-term signing of Nigel Jones next week, plus the return of their Irish international contingent for what now is a relegation battle.

Phoenix claimed a remarkable win against Merrion, recovering from 73 for 7 to chase 194. It was don to an eighth wicket partnership of 113 in 26 between Danish international Oliver Hald and Louis McDonough (37*). Hald thumped 85 from 67 balls (9 fours, 3 sixes) as the hosts stunned Merrion, who looked on course for the win after four wickets for Amish Sidhu. Merrion had looked on course for a big score after a strong start by Stephen Doheny (60) and Franco Marais (59), but Devender Ranolia claimed a five-wicket haul to bring Phoenix back into contention.

Clontarf gained a crucial victory as they beat YMCA by 22 runs in a high-scoring game at Castle Avenue. John McNally and Eoghan Delany both scored 50s in an opening stand of 118, and the perfect platform allowed the middle-order to score freely, with runs too for David Delany (58*), Andrew Poynter (45), Fionn Hand (29) and PJ Moor (28). YM gave the chase a good go, with James Forbes making an unbeaten 85, sharing a fifth wicket stand of 95 with Adam Rosslee (71), but in the end they fell 22-runs adrift.