There were two wins apiece for kingpins Merrion and Pembroke in Group D of the Alan Murray T20 Cup.
Rush lost to Pembroke by 8 wickets
Rush 199-5 (20 overs; Josh Doyle 110, Nathan McGuire 36; Nick Stapleton 3-28)
Pembroke 204-2 (18.3 overs; Nick Stapleton 112*, Zach McCabe 73*)
Nick Stapleton was again the nemesis for Rush in their second meeting of the day, with the overseas players scoring an unbeaten 112 as Pembroke chased 200 to win by eight wickets with nine balls left. The Australian hit 13 fours and 5 sixes in his 59-ball 112 not out, sharing an unbroken stand of 192 in 99 balls with Zac McCabe, who made 73 not out (9 fours, 1 six). The result was tough on Rush's own professional Josh Doyle, whose 110 included 13 fours and 6 sixes - Stapleton's 3 for 28 the only bowler to escape severe punishment.
Rush lost to Pembroke by 9 wickets
Rush 142 (19 overs; Brandon Morris 35, Nasir Totakhil 29, Nathan McGuire 28; Nick Stapleton 2-12, Ollie Riley 2-15, Byron McDonough 2-22)
Pembroke 143-1 (12.5 overs; Nick Stapleton 75*, JJ Garth 51*)
A 122-run stand for the second wicket saw Pembroke romp to a 9-wicket win in the first-game of their double-header with Rush. Tim Tector had gone cheaply as they chased 143, but Stapleton hit 6 sixes and 5 fours in a rapid 75 not out from 39 balls, with partner JJ Garth's 30-ball 51 not out having 6 fours and 2 maximums as they won in the 13th over. Brandon Morris top-scored with 35 in the Rush innings with two wickets apiece for Stapleton, Ollie Riley and Byron McDonough.
Railway Union lost to Merrion by 67 runs
Merrion 164-6 (20 overs; Peter Francis 88*, Mick Lewis 29, Sam Harbinson 25; Zami Safi 2-30)
Railway Union 97 (17.1 overs; Daniel Forkin 4-6, Sam Harbinson 2-8)
Merrion had little trouble in their two games against Railway Union at Park Avenue. Overseas professional Peter Francis hit 9 fours and 3 sixes in a 57-ball 88 not out in the visitors 164 for 6 - Mick Lewis making 29, and Sam Harbinson 25. Railway in reply were bundled out for 97 - left-arm spinner Daniel Forkin claiming 4 for 6, while Harbinson took 2 for 8.
Railway Union lost to Merrion by 8 wickets
Railway Union 105-8 (20 overs; Kenny Carroll 31; Max Sorensen 3-20, Tom Stanton 2-14)
Merrion 106-2 (16.2 overs; Stephen Doheny 64*)
Stephen Doheny hit 5 fours and 2 sixes in his 53-ball 64 not out as Merrion eased to an eight-wicket win over Railway. The home side had struggled with the bat again in their 105 for 8, with Kenny Carroll scoring 31. Another former Irish international Max Sorensen (3-20), bowled well, as did Tom Stanton (2-14).