We are accustomed to batting records being broken as more and more runs are scored in T20 matches. Womens T20 cricket, in particular, is notable for the few wickets taken and typical scores of 120 - 150 for the loss of a handful wickets. It was unusual and quite exciting therefore to watch a game where every player on both teams was called upon to make a contribution that could have affected the final outcome of the match.
On a very slow wicket the total number of runs scored by the two teams was less than 175 - but for both players and spectators the match was very exciting and despite the final margin on 18 runs in favour of Merrion could easily have gone either way. YMCA and Merrion are arguably the two strongest teams in Leinster at the moment [arguably as Pembroke and Leinster, despite losing to YMCA and Merrion respectively last week, would also make the case for inclusion among the strongest teams] and the sides were studded with current internationals. But in the end the match turned on the efforts of some of the younger players and the greater depth in batting that Merrion could call upon.
Batting first Merrion were soon in trouble as Rachel Delany, Isobel Joyce and Hannah deBurgh Whyte were all out cheaply. A stand of [17 ] between Leah Paul [11 ] and Ruby Neville [11 ] provided a measure of recovery but when the former was run out by a brilliant pick up, throw and direct hit by Lucy O’Reilly Merrion were in a lot of trouble. Kate McKenna batted well and top scored with [21] but wickets continued to fall and by the end of the 16th over it looked that Merrion would fall well short of a competitive total. But a crucial eighth wicket partnership (23) between Emma Paul and Sadhbh Breslin pushed the final score up to 96.
One would not have expected that to be enough for a strong YMCA batting line up. Wisely Merrion decided to start up with slow bowlers Rachael Delany and Julianne Morrissey. Although they gave away a few boundaries the crucial early wickets of Clare Shillington and Gaby Lewis fell to Delany [2-12 ]. Even then YMCA were soon back in control as Robyn Lewis and Jenny Gray were batting comfortably until Gray was needlessly run out [one of two in the YMCA innings]. The turning point of the match, however, was the introduction of Sadhbh Breslin [2/13 ] into the attack who took the crucial wickets of New Zealander Anna Peterson and Lucy O’Reilly
With wickets and overs running out it was left to Robyn Lewis [36] to try to marshall the lower order to get the six runs an over needed from about the 12 over mark. She managed to hit a number of boundaries and to farm the bowling for a time but finally in the 19th over a lofted drive found Ruby Neville on the boundary who took a comfortable catch.
All in all a very enjoyable match to watch for the good crowd of spectators in attendance. The overall level of fielding was very good and showed how much womens club cricket has improved in this regard over the past couple of years. It was especially pleasing to note the important contributions made by the younger players on both sides to the outcome of the match.