SPRINT COATINGS DIVISION 1 ROUND UP – 8/8/2023

The penultimate round of fixtures sees Clontarf inch closer to title as they beat Phoenix. Merrion stayed in touching distance with a win over The Hills, and Leinster beat Pembroke in Sydney Parade.

These games took place this evening (Tuesday) rather than on their usual Thursday evening slot in order to avoid a clash with a Super Series fixture which was arranged by Cricket Ireland for Thursday. We are keen to do everything possible to protect the integrity of the Sprint Coatings Division One competition as the premier female club cricket competition in Leinster.

Clontarf vs Phoenix

Phoenix 115/5 in 20 overs (Z Craig 45, G Dempsey 25, C Terblanche 15, E Butler 1-16, R Searle 2-13, C Coulter-Reilly 1-21)

Clontarf 116/5 in 19.2 overs (A Walsh 60*, F Sargent 20, G Dempsey 3-12 incl Hatrick, A Foysal 1-25)

Clontarf win by 5 wickets

Zara Craig batted for the majority of the innings for a well made 45 to anchor her teams innings and see them set a competitive total of 115. She was supported by Georgina Dempsey (25) and Claire Terblanche (15) with 20 extras as a bonus. Robyn Searle’s single over was the best of the bowling (2-13) but Emma Butler and Sinead Thompson also took wickets.

The Clontarf innings was rocked with the destruction of their all-powerful top order in a brilliant spell of bowling from Georgina Dempsey. Searle, then Coulter Reilly and then Genevieve Dempsey were taken out in a spectacular hat trick spanning over two overs to leave Clontarf reeling at 11/3. However Alice Walsh played a spectacular innings of 60* off 56 balls (4 fours) and together with Freya Sargent (20) got the home team over the line with 4 balls to spare. A vital win in the chase for the title.

The Hills vs Merrion

The Hills 141/8 in 20 overs (M Musonda 54, T Dunne 54, S Bhoja 4-19, N Macnulty 2-20)

Merrion 142/1 in 15.3 overs (P Inglis 62, L Paul 42*)

Merrion win by 9 wickets

A 98 run partnership by Musonda and Dunne gave serious shape to the innings of The Hills and left Merrion with an imposing chase to stay in the title race. With international Jane Maguire going early it was up to the experienced pair to set a benchmark and that they did with a fine display of chanceless boundaries and strong running between the wickets.

Siobha Bhoja took a fine 4-19 in her four overs, with skipper Celeste Raack taking 2-24 and Niamh Macnulty 2-20.

The Cup champions set about the chase knowing they needed a big win and the opening partnership of 122 between Inglis and Paul gave them exactly that. Inglis was run out on 62 but Annabel Squires made sure there was no issue and the cup champions took a full points victory.

Pembroke vs Leinster

Pembroke 114/5 off 20 overs (S Kavanagh 32*, M Waldron 24, K Dillon 1-20, O Bagnall 1-23)

Leinster 116/1 off 13.2 overs (Y Van Der Westhuizen 51*, L Delany 50*, M Waldron 1-29)

Leinster win by 9 wickets

Pembroke found runs hard to come by and relied on the experienced Kavanagh and Waldron to get to 114. Leinster would have been very happy with that effort in the field.

In reply Leinster showed all their experience with overseas player van der Westhuizen and Irish captain Laura Delany both making half centuries as they won with overs to spare.

Provisional Table

While results have to be formally approved, the following is the indicative table at this stage.