The slightly-worse-for-wear Alan Murray Cup is heading back to Merrion. The eclectic side captained from behind the stumps by Australian Kade Beasley won the trophy in thrilling fashion by four runs against Malahide at Sydney Parade last night.

The trophy donated more than 30 years ago by Pembroke looks like it might need the attention of a silversmith and I fear for it after another year in the, eh, sociable pavilion in Anglesea Road. But as long as they put it in the safe keeping of Peter Blakeney they should have no fears of it suffering a fatal fall.

It was a stunning catch by the 16 year old that swung the game back from the grip of the north county club, precipitating a minor collapse that removed a partnership that look certain to give Malahide the game.

Merrion lost a couple of early wickets before Brad Spanner and Joe Morrissey steadied the ship. Spanner (43) wasn't his usual comfortably belligerent self while Morrissey was bludgeoning 46 from the other end he was content to keep the score ticking over. The total of 119 for 6 was still quite a bit less than what is usually needed to win these games.

Malahide also lost an early wicket, and that of their pro Strydom on 27 but a partnership between captain Dave McGeehan and Jim Govan consolidated before they cut loose. McGeehan, particularly, was punishing of wayward deliveries, although he was fortuitous to mishit several balls into space.

At halfway Malahide were 49 for 2 but five overs of veteran Ð how strange it is to write that phrase Ð Joe Morrissey were to prove crucial. Coming on in the twelfth over, the bowler who was unlucky never to reach national selection immediately restricted the scoring rate. His five 'death' overs went for 7, 1, 7, 5 and 7, impressive in the circumstances.

With four overs left Malahide needed 33 with eight wickets intact, but Beasley seemed to have erred when he took off pro Shaun Flegler in favour of Robin Willis. The youngster went for ten, including two nervous no-balls.

McGeehan passed 50 in the next over, and with 15 balls left just 19 runs were needed. The former Scots all-rounder drove Morrissey back over his head but young Blakeney ran ten yards around from long-on before launching himself into the air and clinging onto a memorable catch. The next ball saw McGeehan charging down the track in an attempt to reassert supremacy; he was halted by the upturned index finger of Alan Tuffery.

Those two wickets in two balls gave Merrion great heart and the experience accrued in winning this competition five times in the past six years was to stand to them once again.

Eighteen was needed off the last two overs as the emerging talent of Eoin Morgan joined the experienced Damien Ryan, and the pair made six off Spanner's last over. Twelve was then need off the last over to pass Merrion's total, but 11 would be enough if less than two wickets were lost. Morgan charged the first ball and missed, but tapped the second to midwicket for one. Ryan carted the next high to backward point where Willis's nerves proved the better of him Ð one scored.

A too full delivery by Morrissey was carved to fine leg by Morgan where it split the fielders for four, which meant five would be enough off the last two balls. The Ireland Under 17 player who is playing some games for Middlesex this summer then launched the next ball far, far into the clouds. The batsmen had crossed twice when it landed Ð in the safe hands of Justin Manville.

A last ball six was beyond the Malahide men and the 20 over cup was making the short trip up Sandymount Avenue to its usual resting place. Maybe they'll even organise a bit of maintenance work on what might have to be renamed the Leaning Tower of Murray.