It turned out to be a fairly frustrating second day in the friendly between Ireland Wolves and MCC Young Cricketers on Thursday as only 65 overs of play were possible at a rain-affected Walker Ground in Southgate. The upshot is that a positive result now seems highly unlikely with just one more day to go and little sign of the weather improving dramatically.
Resuming on their overnight 99-8 the home side fought a dogged rearguard action with Kiel van Vollenhoven and Jacob Duffy posting a half century stand for the final wicket before Andy McBrine ended proceedings in his first over of the match. Duffy was the man to go- 4 fours in the number 11’s valuable 35- while van Vollenhoven remained unbeaten on 30 in a total of 165 all out.
Nathan Smith had earlier picked up the wicket of Liam Hurt to return excellent figures of 5 for 32 but the visitors’ reply was a stop-start affair as conditions deteriorated in the afternoon.
The Wolves’ effort was dominated by Sean Terry who hit 6 fours and 2 sixes in his 78 at the top of the order although skipper Andy Balbirnie (24) and Jack Tector (20) both got starts- Duffy claiming two of the three wickets to fall for the MCC.
John Anderson (20) and Niall O’Brien (12) were the not out batsmen who will head into the final three sessions on Friday looking to push on quickly, with their side still 8 runs adrift with 7 first innings wickets in hand.
At the Walker Ground (1st Innings)
MCC Young Cricketers 165 all out (59 overs; B Curran 39, J Duffy 35, K van Vollenhoven 30*, N Smith 5-32)
Ireland Wolves 157-3 (48 overs; S Terry 78, A Balbirnie 24, J Anderson 20*, J Tector 20, J Duffy 2-52) 
No
Connaught
