In World War Two, the average age of the US combat soldier was 26. In Vietnam he was 19....In-in-in Vietnam he was 19..So went the lyrics of the Paul Hardcastle number one back in 1985. I suspect it will be hummed around Balbriggan for a week or two as they warmed up for next week's Irish Senior Cup final against Clontarf with a demolition job of The Hills. The Skerries side suffered one of those days when nothing goes right that comes around every decade or so. Matt Hollard took 6 for 6, Andy Darroch 3-0 and Seb De Oliveria 1-8 as The Hills were skittled for just 19 in 14 overs - extras with 7 the top score. The chase lasted just 14 balls, but at least the Hills did manage to take two wickets on an otherwise forgettable day.

Closest game of the day was at The Mardyke where Cork County edged out Malahide by six runs. Mark Adrianatos made a century (8 fours, 3 sixes) as he and Raj Undre 88 (4 fours, 7 sixes) added 144 for the third wicket in a home side total of 284 for 6. Malahide looked on course to chase it down with 80's from Robbie Foulkes and Matt Ford, but just couldn't pull it off.

A third wicket stand of 166 between Sulieman Safi and Eddie Richardson propelled North County to an excellent pursuit of 323 to beat Rush at home. Safi made an unbeaten 149 from just 104 balls (15 fours, 7 sixes), while Richardson's even time 91 had 14 fours and one maximum. Abidullah Taniwal had made 110 from only 84 balls (13 fours, 6 sixes) as he and Finn McGee - who made 98 not out - added 172 for the 4th wicket. A day definitely to be a batsman at Inch.