Ireland Women win European T20 Championships
Ireland Women clinched the European T20 Championships with two games to spare following a thumping nine wicket win over The Netherlands at Rugby today.
A tight bowling display by the Irish attack saw them restrict their Dutch opponents to a modest 86 for 4 in their 20 overs, with only Miranada Veringmeier providing serious resistance, as she hit 52 from 42 balls (4 fours, 1 six.)
Teenager Lucy O'Reilly (2-14) was the most successful of the Irish attack, with Louise McCarthy 1-15) and Elena Tice (1-15) the other wicket takers.
Cecelia Joyce (39*) and Clare Shillington (31) both struck four boundaries in an opening stand of 77 in just 56 balls to take Ireland to the brink of victory, before Shillington was stumped with just 10 needed.
Gaby Lewis (7*) - another teenage product of Ireland's much vaunted youth system - hit the winning runs with 8.2 overs and 9 wickets to spare.
The tournament victory completes a memorable year for Irish cricket at European tournaments, winning all four events in which they've participated.
The 'Grand Slam' has seen the Under 17's and 19's both win their respective ICC Europe Challenge Series against Scotland and The Netherlands, while the Under 15's were unbeaten as they won their tournament earlier this month, also at Rugby.
Ireland Women will be hoping to finish the tournament on a high as they play both The Netherlands and Scotland again tomorrow (SUN).
ICC EUROPE WOMEN'S T20 CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Rugby
THE NETHERLANDS 86/4 (20 overs, M Veringmeier 52, L O'Reilly 2-14, L McCarthy 1-15, E Tice 1-21)
IRELAND 87/1 (11.4 overs, C Joyce 39*, C Shillington 31)
Ireland won by 9 wickets and win the tournament