WINS FOR PEMBROKE, CLONTARF, BALBRIGGAN & MERRION - WOMEN'S DIVISION ONE ROUND-UP (AUGUST 29TH)

The final round of Women's Division One fixtures this evening saw the league table assume it's final standings as the season drew to a close with victories for Pembroke, Merrion & Clontarf who occupy the top three slots in the league, whilst Balbriggan's crucial victory lifted them from the bottom of the table, overtaking cup champions Phoenix!

That game is where we begin, as the first result of the evening landed courtesy of an excellent all-round performance by Balbriggan's Lara Maritz. After an excellent start with the ball saw Claudia Green picking up the first three wickets to fall. Maritz and Erin Knight shared a 5 wicket spell which saw Phoenix knocked over for just 71 in the final over, as in the absence of their Irish Internationals, Alice Tector and Gaby Lewis, the side struggled hugely, with Extras' 29 being their top contributor. The struggles continued with the ball, as just 46 balls were taken to chase the runs by Balbriggan, Lara Maritz finishing unbeaten on 54 from just 31 deliveries, and condemning Phoenix to the bottom of the table, in the same month as Gaby Lewis' heroic run in the Leinster Senior Cup guided them to glory.

In The Village, Malahide batted first and 30s from Christelle van der Schyff and Gemma Devally brough them to a competitive total of 111/4 in their 15 over innings, KimLi McDonald once again the star of the show for Pembroke with the ball taking 2/20. The chase was dominated by an unbeaten 64 from Lou Lou Little, who took just 44 deliveries, and was supported by Isobel Jennings' 27 in guiding Pembroke to an 8 wicket win with 7 balls to spare.

In The Vineyard, Clontarf batted first, and Robyn Searle filled her boots against her former club, making 79 from 58 deliveries and dominating their total of 155/5, where Genevieve Morrissey also made 30. Jane Maguire was the pick of the bowlers for the home side taking 2/26. Maguire then top scored as The Hills were shot out for just 89 in reply, as Gemma Sargent was the pick of the bowlers with 3/7, supported by two wickets apiece for Ava O'Reilly and Emma Butler.

Finally in Anglesea Road, Merrion batted first and made 150/5, Isobel Joyce top scoring with 34, whilst Elena Neill made 29*. Jenny Sparrow was the pick of the bowlers for the away side taking 3/31 in her four overs. In reply, Leinster's chase lasted just 14 overs before bad light stopped play, with their score on 77/5 seeing them finish 26 runs short on the DLS Method, in spite of a top score of 31 from Ava Canning.