Sorensen heads for Hills

THE HILLS landed the 2017 IBI Corporate Finance Leinster Senior Cup as a late flurry of runs from Max Sorensen saw the Skerries side claim the title from a dramatic final at the Vineyard last weekend.
In pursuit of Merrion’s 186, the run chase touched on 10 an over at times but the former Irish international – who confirmed his retirement during the week – bashed a series of sixes to see The Hills with 14 balls to spare.
The Fingal side had inserted Merrion to bat and the decision was soon vindicated as in the first half of the innings with Nazeer Shoukat [2/10] and then Luke Clinton [2/26] ensuring the home team had the clear advantage.
But, as he has done throughout the competition, John Anderson [80] accumulated runs steadily and Merrion fought their way back into the game.
Michael Lewis [22] and Patrick Tice [41] provided excellent support and, with five overs to go Merrion looked well on the way to posting a 200 plus total.
But then the game took another, and what in the end may have proved decisive, twist as Ryan Cartwright [4/30] returned to the attack and in short order accounted for Anderson and Rice and wrapped up the tail.
A total of 186 all out was a lot better than Merrion might have expected half-way through their innings and it was certainly competitive. Scores have not been all that high in the Vineyard throughout this competition but it did not feel like enough.
There had been a momentum shift in the last five overs and Merrion certainly leaving 15 to 20 runs on the field.
The Hills started steadily and put on 30 runs without loss in the first ten overs. In the 12th over, Merrion skipper Dom Joyce brought back Tyrone Kane [3/29] into the attack.
This immediately produced results and two wickets fell. A sort of cat and mouse game followed with Cormac MacLoughlin-Gavin [38] and Hamid Shah [25] gradually reducing the required number of runs but, at the same time, never really got on top of the bowling.
There was a sense that the critical phase of the match was still to come when the big hitters from The Hills took to the stage.
Having got the score past the 100 mark and with eight overs to go, The Hills still needed 10 per over.
But once Sorensen [64*], Albert van der Merwe [17] and Cartwright [16*] got going there was no way to stop the flood of runs. There was a flurry of sixes from Sorensen [5] and the game was all over with over two overs to spare.