Merrion 146-5 (C.Joyce 49, L.Paul 35; A.Kenealy 1-19)
Leinster 63-8 (Diepman 24, Kerrsion 21*; de Burgh Whyte 2-8, I.Joyce 2-8)
Merrion won the Toss and decided to bat first. Leah Paul and Cecelia Joyce got the home side going right from the start bringing the score to 79 off the first 10, Cecelia being particularly destructive including a massive 6 over the club house. Amy Kenealy was the standout bowler for Leinster, her 4 overs returning 1-19. Merrion’s great partnership ended when Leah played a lovely straight drive however the bowler managed to deflect it onto the stumps which left Cecelia out of her ground on 49(34). Isobel Joyce came to the crease and together herself and Leah kept the pressure on the Leinster bowlers, taking advantage of the large outfield with some good running. Una Raymond Hoey (1-25) had Isobel trapped LBW in the 13th over with the score on 98. Hannah de Burgh Whyte joined Paul as Merrion tried to accelerate from the good platform built. Together they brought the score to 130 before Paul was also runout backing up for 35(45). Despite a few late run-outs, Merrion closed on 146 -5, de Burgh Whyte on 31*(25).
Merrion continued their stronghold on the game when opening bowlers Leah Paul (0-11) and Hannah de Burgh Whyte (2-8) had Leinster reeling at 10-2 off 4, de Burgh Whyte picking up the wicket of Raymond-Hoey with the first ball of the innings and McMahon 3 balls later. Merrion’s spinners then kept the pressure on and with runs hard to find Leinster were forced into some brave running which was the undoing of Gee (7). Rachel Delaney (1-13) joined in on the action, bowling Ridgeway 4 balls later. Amidst all of this, Pia Diepman was quietly accumulating runs, placing the ball into the gaps well. The tight bowling continued from I.Joyce and Morrisey (0-13), who were backed up with committed fielding. When Anna Kerrison joined Diepman, they formed a great partnership, however with the field spread boundaries were hard to find, so they were forced to settle for 1s and 2s. Diepman was eventually runout for 24(39) by Rachel Delaney who had another run-out the next over. Some tight bowling from Isobel saw her claim 2-8 and ensure there was no fight back. Leinster finished on 63-8 from their 20, Kerrison on 21*. Merrion retained the Senior Cup winning by 83 runs.
Player of the match was presented to Hannah de burgh Whyte for her 2-8 and 31*.