It was a relatively low key week performance wise for the established Irish stars, but there were headlining hundreds for Andrew Balbirnie and Stuart Poynter against second XI opposition.

Ed Joyce was dismissed yet again in the 90's - the Sussex skipper made 98 before becoming one of three wickets for his very close friend Tim Murtagh - it's not known if their friendship is still intact after the game!

Joyce had made 20 in the first innings as Sussex were forced to follow-on - Luke Wright's hundred coupled with Joyce saw them easily negotiate the draw.

Another Irish player dismissed by a colleague was Gary Wilson whom Boyd Rankin trapped lbw for just 2 - much to the delight of the Bready man, who duly completed a forward roll!

Rankin, released from England duty having not featured in their NZ series, took 4 for 43 as Surrey collapsed from 232 for 2 to 272 all out. The Oval side did bat out for the draw comfortably though - Wilson making an unbeaten 28 second time around.

William Porterfield's recent lean spell continued as he managed only 11 as Warwickshire had racked up 631 for 9 in their only innings.

Niall O'Brien took three catches and a stumping but failed with the bat, scoring only 5 as his Leicstershire side beat Yorkshire by three wickets. The game was notable for the appearance of 15 year-old Matthew Fisher in the Yorkshire ranks.

George Dockrell hit his first six in county cricket, making his top score for Somerset - 31 batting at number nine in their drawn game against Durham. He had an unwanted record in the bowling stakes though with his most expensive figures in first-class cricket. He took 1 for 151 in a marathon 48 over bowling stint.

Graeme McCarter had a wicket-less match against Glamorgan with figures of 0-67 and 0-22 in their drawn encounter.

Andrew Balbirnie smashed an unbeaten 110 from just 64 balls (16 fours, 1 six) as Middlesex Seconds beat Kent II's by 15 runs - Paul Stirling making 39 in the same Trophy game.

Stuart Poynter just missed out on creating a bit of history for MCC Young Cricketers. The 22 year-old hit 172 against Durham II's - just two short of Alex Hales record score for the YC's of 174.

Poynter had the consolation of his innings coming to the attention of the Irish selectors who have called him up to the senior squad for the four-day game against Australia A.