Martyrs do the double over Bearcats with a 13-6 win in a tight game in Castleknock 

For once the trip to Castleknock College was relatively quick even with an accident on the M50 and the game followed the same format with a 65 minute close game. 2 wins from 11 games is not a fair reflection on the Bearcats first year in the Premier Division and with the exception of the blow out against Marlay in the teams first meeting, a number of games with a bit of luck could have went their way.

Marlay emphasised before the game the importance of not under estimating the Bearcats especially in their own fields and this was shown over the first three innings as Marlay were held scoreless and the Bearcats took a 5-0 lead after a 4 run bottom of 3. It was important for Marlay to strike back quickly and a top of 4 lead of double for Melanie (2-4 on the night) followed by walk by Adrian (1-3, Walk) and and RBI single from Michelle (2-4) got Marlay offense going and scored 6 runs to take a 6-5 lead into the 5th inning.

The bottom of 5 saw the Bearcats score a run but they left a number of runners stranded and the inning finished with a 6 to 2 tag at home by Ciaran after a short LF single. With the game tied and Bearcats begining to gain some momentum Marlay upped a gear in the top of 6 and not for the first time this season strung hits together with the bottom of the order getting on base first through a walk by Oz (1-3, Walk) who then scored on Jen's (2-4) RBI left field single. Ciaran (2-4) and Ronan (1-3) both singled to load the bases with 1 out. A pinch hit home run by Colum (1-1) together with a couple of more runs tagged on by the Top of the order and Marlay took a 13-6 lead into the bottom of 6.

Marlay's defence got greedy over the next two innings taking six outs from seven batters faced and the game finished 13-6. Marlay batted a bit better through the game than in previous encounters and the defence only conceded runs in three inning, a lot of work needs to be done in the off season on batting.

This win brings Marlay to 5 & 6 record with 2.5 games to go. The only thing we are guaranteed at this stage is we can't win the league and we can't be automatically relegated.

Next game is Blazzers in Marlay Park.