VICTORIES FOR LEINSTER, PEMBROKE, BALBRIGGAN & CLONTARF IN SPRINT COATINGS DIVISION ONE

It was a night for semi-upsets in Sprint Coatings Division One this evening, as Merrion lost their unbeaten record, whilst Balbriggan recorded their first win of the season.

In Sydney Parade, Malahide batted first and thanks to a fine half century from Arlene Kelly, put together 104/4. Sarah Forbes was the pick of the Pembroke bowlers taking 2/29 from her four overs. The Pembroke chase saw Orla Prendergast in fine nick once again as her unbeaten 66 guided the team to an 8 wicket victory with over 6 overs to spare.

In Jack Harper Park, Balbriggan chalked up a remarkable first victory in Sprint Coatings Division 1. Phoenix batted first and Georgina Dempsey got the innings off to a good start, however after she had been dismissed only Darcey Dalwood passed 20, as two wickets for each of Reena Devi and Anna Gaging restricted the away side to 129/7. Balbriggan’s number 3 Claudia Green was instrumental in the chase as she compiled an unbeaten 73 from just 49 balls, striking 11 boundaries in guiding the side to an 8 wicket victory.

In Clontarf, The Hills batted first and made 104/6 from their 20 overs, 27 from Rebecca Gough and 24 for Jane Maguire the main contributors to the total as both Emma Butler and Lucy Barry took two wickets. The chase was lead by Robyn Searle as she struck three boundaries in a 48 ball 50, two wickets apiece for Jane and Aimee Maguire kept the game somewhat tight, however Clontarf made their way to a 6 wicket victory with 4.2 overs to spare.

Finally this evening’s featured game came from Observatory Lane, as Merrion batted first and an excellent bowling effort from the home side restricted their visitors to just 94 in their 20 overs. Clare Webber and Laura Delany bowled a fine spell in tandem to tie Merrion down, as only Isobel Joyce (26) and Celeste Raack (27) passed 20. Delany finishing with 3/15, whilst Webber took 2/27, Isabella Merriman also took 4/18 to finish off the innings.

The chase saw Laura Delany the mainstay of the Leinster innings, she entered the fray in the 1st over as Webber was dismissed by Niamh MacNulty. Delany and Joanna Loughran added a good partnership before the latter became Leah Paul’s first wicket. Paul followed up by dismissing Sophie MacMahon and Delany, who eventually struck her way to an excellent 45. Leah Paul finished her four overs with 3/30. In spite of some tight efforts from Merrion after Delany’s dismissal, the home side were able to scramble to a 5 wicket win with 5 overs to spare.