While most of the Ireland squad enjoyed a week paddling around Malahide, there were still a few of the lesser lights and future supernovas in action in England.

The most eye-catching performance was that by Bobby Gamble, who took 6-19 in 14.4 overs for his club Plumtree against the Nottinghamshire Cricket Board.

Half the NCB side had county experience, and was captained by one-time England player Paul Franks, but Gamble spearheaded an attack that bowled them out for 99 in fewer than 40 overs and won by four wickets.

The next day Plumtree took on the Kimberley Institute but lost by 115 runs, despite Gamble’s 9-0-32-2 and 10 with the bat.

Since last week the YMCA bowler has also turned out twice for Loughborough MCCU. Against Southampton Solent University he made 15 and returned 10-2-35-3.

He also played against Trinidad and Tobago University in a T20, seeing his only over go for 12.

In the same games Robert McKinley made 2 and 5.4-0-25-2 (v Southampton Solent) but didn’t get to bat or bowl against TATU.

Mark Adair has also been club action for Moseley in the Birmingham and District Premier League Division One. He made a duck against Old Hill, and bowled 6-0-31-0. He was also unsuccessful with the ball against Walsall (8-0-33-0) and made 14.

Andy Gorvin had two games for the Hampshire Cricket Academy, making 30 off 41 balls against South Wiltshire, and 5 when he captained the side against Sarisbury Athletic.

The Durham trio have been a duo since the Ireland A game at Lord’s three weeks ago, the last time Peter Chase was in action.

Stuart Poynter (0) and Barry McCarthy (dnb) were in action against Nottinghamshire 2nds in a one-day game.

The Pembroke bowler took 3-62 off 10 overs, one of which came through a catch by Poynter. The three-day game was abandoned, but not before Poynter made a 50 off 64 balls, and McCarthy 17 and 9-2-37-1.

Poynter was also in club action for Boldon who beat Sunderland by nine runs, making 6 with the bat but not keeping wicket.

McCarthy bowled 7-2-12-0 for Gateshead Fell against South Northumberland (or was it North Southumberland?), and made 12 as Fell were dismissed for 79 in a 176-run defeat.

Ben Wylie (26) and Patrick Tice (2) played for Cambridge University against the Combined Services. Wylie bowled 10 unsuccessful overs which cost 42, while keeper Tice snapped up one catch.