Gaby Lewis with a True All-Round Performance as YMCA Defeat Clontarf

Gaby Lewis scored an unbeaten century, took a wicket with the ball, before donning the wicket-keeping gloves and nabbing two stumpings as YMCA defeated Clontarf by 58 runs in the Sprint Coatings Women’s Division 1 on Thursday night.

Lewis carried her bat as she made 121* off 75 balls with an astonishing 20 boundaries and three huge sixes, in an exhibition of power hitting and precision placement.

Clontarf captain, Emma Butler, rotated her bowlers, using seven in total, in an effort to find the breakthrough. However, Lewis was steadfast in holding on to her wicket, redoubling her efforts when sister Robyn (38*) joined her at 61/1 at the end of the seventh over.

Molly Butler picked up the wicket of Sarah Forbes as her three overs went for just 18 runs, despite the efforts of Gaby Lewis to push the run rate towards 10 an over.

With such a daunting target to chase, Clontarf went about their task with a great deal of positivity. Aoife Brennan (29), in particular, attacked the YMCA bowling and struck five boundaries in her innings.

Anna Kirk (15), Susan Lawless (16*) and Hollie Erskine (15*) continued attacking to the very end, hitting seven boundaries between them, including some extravagant pulls and drives, as Clontarf amassed their highest total of the season, 127/5.

The excellence of Gaby Lewis was the difference however, as her earlier innings meant a 58-run victory for the southsiders.

Indeed, there was no keeping Lewis out of the action as she took 1-17 bowling her four overs straight, before taking over wicket-keeping duties from Sarah Forbes immediately after the 8^th over.

Once behind the stumps, Lewis completed a fine run out of Brennan with Emma McEvoy before showing sharp hands to effect two stumpings.

A fantastic night’s entertainment from two incredibly young sides. Although Gaby Lewis was the star of the show, the effort and fight from the Clontarf side right to the end will stand them in good stead in years to come.

Elsewhere on Thursday night, Pembroke defeated Malahide by 4 wickets at Sydney Parade. Amy Hunter continued her good form, top-scoring with 37 of Malahide’s 105/8 before being one of Hannah Little’s (3-30) three wickets. Orla Prendergast, who took 2-14, then struck 28, supported by 20s from Cliona Tucker and Louise McCarthy as Pembroke got home in the final over.

While at Anglesea Road, a Rebecca Stokell century led to a comfortable victory for Merrion over The Hills. Merrion won the toss and batted first. The Hills bowling was put to the sword as the Merrion openers put on an undefeated stand of 216 with Rebecca Stokell [107*] and Leah Paul 75*.
The Hills ended up on 106/7 off their 20 overs. Three bowlers got two wickets each, Celeste Raack [2/29] Niamh Macnulty [2/24] and Anabelle Squires [2/10]. Tess Maritz top scored for The Hills with 35*.

Sprint Coatings Division 1 20-over

YMCA v Clontarf, Claremont Road, Thursday August 6^th    

YMCA 185/1 20 Overs (G Lewis 121*, R Lewis 38*; M Butler 3-0-18-1)

Clontarf 127/5 20 Overs (A Brennan 29, S Lawless 16*, H Erskine 15*; S White 4-0-16-2)

YMCA won by 58 runs