Pembroke complete remarkable ‘drive for five’ with Premiership triumph

Pembroke completed the most remarkable season in Irish club cricket history as a 13-run victory over Leinster, coupled with Merrion’s defeat, secured a third successive Leinster Premiership title and completed their extraordinary “drive for five”.

The Sydney Parade side have now collected all five trophies available to them this season, including two All-Ireland titles, in a campaign which has underlined not only their quality but the extraordinary depth within the club.

What makes the achievement even more impressive is that much of it has been accomplished without their full quota of Irish internationals, with others repeatedly stepping up when opportunities arose.

That resilience was needed again as Pembroke found themselves in serious trouble at 21 for four and then 38 for five. Sanil Gupta, though, produced a magnificent innings under pressure, carrying his bat for 101 from 112 deliveries with 13 fours and a six.

Danny Hogan helped steady the innings with 17 before Paul Lawson provided vital support in an eighth-wicket stand which dragged Pembroke towards respectability. Lawson finished unbeaten on 24 as they were dismissed for 185 in 47.5 overs.

It looked a vulnerable total, but Pembroke’s attack responded superbly. Leinster never gained any real momentum and slipped to 70 for five before Joe O’Sullivan and Mark Tonge attempted to rebuild.

Tonge provided the only sustained threat, making 55 from 75 balls with four fours and three sixes, but wickets continued to fall around him. He and Rian Cassidy edged the Rathmines side towards their target and at 160 for 8, it was very much in the balance.

When news filtered through of Malahide's eight-wicket win, the stakes and the pressure ranked up with each run.

Bryon McDonough then trapped Cassidy lbw - a decision very much in the 'adjudged' category to tilt the odds very much in Pembroke's favour. Still the dangerous Tonge and the generosity of extras kept the sides on edge.

Tonge then made a solid connection with a widish half volley, but picked out Addison Sherriff on the cover boundary to set off wild scenes of celebration amidst the players and spectators alike.

Byron McDonough finshed with three for 35, while Luke Murray and Andrew Balbirnie claimed two wickets apiece. Lawson was typically economical, conceding just 20 from his 10 overs and taking one wicket.

Three league titles in a row would be achievement enough. Five trophies in one season, including two national competitions, is something else entirely.

Pembroke’s trophy cabinet may genuinely need an extension. This has been a season built on depth, resilience and relentless winning standards — and one that will surely rank among the finest ever produced by an Irish club side.

Can you imagine if their seven Irish internationals had been available too - they would probably have won the Derry Feis and the Eurovision Song contest.

What then for next year...And Alexander wept for there were no more worlds to conquer...