CORK – Rush Cricket Club won their fourth Butlers National Cup after a convincing 126-run win over Strabane Cricket Club at the Mardyke today.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Rush started falteringly losing three wickets in the first seven overs. Overseas professional Josh Doyle (89) then settled in to play the anchor role as the north county Dublin side began to re-build the innings after the initial losses.
A 77-run stand between Doyle and Nasir Totakhil (41) had Rush well positioned at the midway stage of this 40-over a side encounter, and despite losing Totakhil when he was in full flight, the next man in, Finn McGee (30) continued the momentum.
The last 10 overs went for 90, mainly due to captain Jarred Barnes’ power-hitting – his 43* off 32 balls included 4 fours and 2 sixes – as Rush finished with a highly competitive 281-8 in 40 overs.
The Strabane reply got off to a decent start, albeit behind the required run rate – but a platform had been laid at 76-1 in the 15th over. Enter all-rounder Totakhil – backing up his 41 with the bat, he removed four of the top seven Strabane batters, including the highly-prized wicket of John Mooney.
Totakhil’s guile and accuracy – and tight bowling line – was rewarded with figures of 4-19 from eight overs. He was ably supported by Asher Abassi who claimed 3-14. The end came quickly wit Strabane crashing from 96-2 to all out 155.
Rush’s victory was their fourth National Cup trophy in eight editions.
MATCH SUMMARY
Rush v Strabane, Butlers National Cup Final, Cork, 18 August 2024
Rush 281-8 (40 overs; J Doyle 89, J Barnes 43*; A Mullen 2-23)
Strabane 155 (34.1 overs; A Gillespie 41; N Totakhil 4-19)
Rush won by 126 runs
