The Sprint Coatings Women's Division 1 season kicks off tonight, but the news from Met Éireann is pretty dispiriting with rain set to fall in the Dublin area from mid afternoon onwards. The 2023 season is struggling to get going!
Leinster W1 vs YMCA W1 - Both teams start their league season with one of those rivalries that is always close, ,aking it impossibel to predict. In Observatory Lane last year. YMCA were unbeaten with the two games last year (a win and a tie); Leinster have only lost since August 2019. Gaby Lewis' brilliant 144 for YM in the fixture last year is the highest score, Vanessa Kelada's 5-16 for Leinster in 2018 is the best bowling.
Pembroke W1 vs The Hills W1 - A tough day could be in store for The Hills, we have no record of them winning since 2016 in Pembroke. But there is always a silver lining somewhere. They won a Pilkington Cup match against Pembroke in Claremont Road in 2018, and a Senior Cup game in 2017 by 5 wickets, with Ciara Metcalfe taking 5-8 and Katie Gurrey scoring 52.
Merrion W1 vs Clontarf W1 - The reigning champions, Merrion W1 have a brilliant record at home to Clontarf, winning six games straight between 2018 and April last year. But in the Pilington Cup, Clontarf won a nail biter last September by 6 runs, with Christina Coulter Reilly (72) and Anna Kirk (51) contributing to Tarf's winning score of 179.
Phoenix W1 vs Malahide W1 - Malahide won last year's Division 1 match between the teams, as well as the two previous meetings between the teams. Phoenix last won against Malahide in June 2021, and are boosted by the return of Georgina Dempsey to the club.
Terenure W2 vs North Kildare W2 - No preview, as previous matches this season involving these teams still to be processed.