Review: Round 1 of Women D1 League
Although the first round of matches in the new Women’s Division 1 League ended up with decisive victories in each case - the matches themselves suggested that this year we can expect a lot more competitive contests. The introduction of a few external players has galvanised the league and means that results are much less predictable [something that was a problem for many games last season].
The Merrion v The Hills match is a case in point. Having scored 170/5 in 20 overs one might have expected that the match would fizzle out as a tame win for Merrion. What occurred was very different as Katie Gurrey [from New Zealand] set about the Merrion bowling and scored 78 in 49 balls. Pressure was put on Merrion to set fields to defend and keep Gurrey off strike. This provided opportunities for Laura Boylan [28] to get in on the action and at one stage The Hills were 98/1 with six overs remaining to get 70 runs. Something that did not look impossible by any means.
Katie Gurrey in full flow for The Hills against Merrion
Merrion fought back and Julianne Morrissey [1/26 off 4 overs], taking as much pace off the ball as it is physically possible to do and still propel it the 22 yards, made the difference and the breakthrough. Gurrey was finally out, stumped off Isobel Joyce, at the end of the 15th over. But it was only with this wicket that Merrion were able to relax and eventually ran out winners by 35 runs.
In the meantime in Rathmines, Leinster also got a bit of a shock as Mary Waldron led the charge, with a better than a run a ball 65, as they tried to chase down a Leinster total of 169/2. Before Waldron was out at the end of the 13th over, Malahide were in a strong position at 119/2. In the end the batting fell away and Leinster won by 26 runs. Earlier in the evening there were 50s for Rebecca Rolfe [59] and for Ellen Ridgeway [64*] which set up the Leinster total.
In the third and final game Pembroke batting first never really recovered from an outstanding bowling spell by Gaby Lewis who took five wickets for 16 runs in her four overs. She was well supported by Jennifer Gary [4/12] as Pembroke were held to 87/9 in their 20 overs. In the batting line-up only Shauna Kavanagh [31] and Louise Little [20] made it to double figures. When YMCA batted Kim Garth took a couple of quick wickets but Heidi Cheadle [27*] and Clare Shillington [42*] saw them home without further loss to win by eight wickets.
Overall a very good start to the new league season. Looking at the scorecards - some evidence of early season rustiness in the number of wides and no balls [90 in total across the three matches] and [from watching the match] a lot of balls missed in the field by both teams in Anglesea Road. But with the sun shining and a good crowd enough to promise a good season
ahead.
This is an unofficial league table. It does not become official [and therefore appear on the website under Results > League Tables] until the relevant scorecards have been submitted.