14th July 2024
Co. Galway CC vs Limerick CC
Galway won the toss and elected to bat. Limerick got off to a strong start with tight opening bowling from Sana and Snighda, with wickets for Holly in the third and fifth over with a clean bowled and a caught by Sana to leave Galway for 26/2. More wickets followed in the seventh over, with Snighda clean bowing the next two batswomen to leave the opposition for 36/4. Despite some good bowling by Saadia and the returning openers, Galway proceeded to finish the final three overs with a solid score of 65/4.
Following the break, Holly and Katy headed in to bat. Opening with a few quick boundaries, the Limerick ladies made an impressive 35 run partnership in the first five overs to put Limerick solidly in the game. A low bouncing ball saw Holly bowled, her first out of the season. Saadia then joined Katy at the crease and scored a few quick singles before a miscommunication lead to a run out. Sanjana then stepped up to join Katy, who formed a quick but needed partnership to take the Limerick team to 50 before Katy was bowled out in the eighth over. With 14 runs needed from the remaining two overs, Snighda came to the crease to continue the scoring, but not before Sanjana lost her wicket. With 9 needed from the final over, Sana and Snighda put in a valiant effort, including running a quick two from the final dot ball of the innings, the pair were unable to match Galway’s total, ending the game on 62/4.
Limerick CC vs Cork County CC
Limerick lost the toss and were sent in to field by a Cork team riding high from a win over Galway. A tired Limerick team struggled to find their bowling form, giving away 17 runs in their first few overs, before an impressive direct-hit run out by Katy from close quarters in the third over. Despite some impressive swing from the fast bowlers, and some close dot balls, the experienced Cork batters carried their team to 76/1 – the highest score so far in the league.
In the second innings, Holly and Katy once again opened the batting to try and chase the high target set by Cork. And were they close! The pair made a very impressive 50 run partnership in 6 overs before Holly fell upon her wicket, in an unfortunate out. Sana was then sent in to bat and joined Katy at the crease to try and put the remaining 27 runs on the board. The remaining three overs were hard fought, and brought Linerick up to a very respectable 70 runs before a dramatic final ball run out for Sana, leaving Katy on 23 runs not out from ten overs, and Limerick in second position. Despite losing the game, Limerick demonstrated incredible perseverance after nearly 12 hours of travelling and playing, and never gave up – the commitment to cricket shown by this debut team is evident.
A special thank you is also issued by the Limerick Ladies to Yousaf Mahmood who both scored or umpired for all three games played in the Munster women’s league this weekend. He did an excellent job and we are all grateful for his commitment to the game.
CORK COUNTY CRICKET CLUB MATCH REPORT
On a day thankfully uninterrupted by otherwise predicted rain, Cork County delivered an outstanding performance at the Middleton pitch, winning both of their games in what turned out to be another fantastic day of women’s cricket.
Match 1. Galway CC v Cork County CC
Having won the toss and electing to bat, Cork County started their innings by fielding. Galway CC faced a strong opening by pace bowler Sara Kamel. Despite good effort from Cork County’s subsequent bowlers, the team saw a steady built up of score from Galway. However, the match saw a more disciplined and solid bowling from Cork County that kept Galway CC runs down to singles and twos. Pressure kept rising on Cork County until crucial wicket taken by spinner Sahara in the 9th over in a well-paced spectacular on-stumps delivery. Avika making her debut for Cork County CC Women XI on the day, bowled an impressive final over and sharp fielding from Sara saw Galway finish the innings with a spirited total of 66/2. Cork County CC opened the second innings with Sara and Shelley. Cut short by an unlucky start, two wickets fell quickly. Under building pressure, leading batter Sara stepped in with Cork County two wickets down and a formidable score to chase. The partnership of Sara and Sahara then began. They both maintained a fiercely determined partnership against strong Galway bowling. Kamel striking an impressive five 4s and Nankan three 4s they achieved 61 runs off 33 balls together and secured an exciting and decisive victory over Galway CC, with a total of 69/2 and winning the match by 5 wickets.
Match 2. Cork County CC v Limerick CC
Cork County won the toss against Limerick and elected to bat first in their second game. Opening batters Suzanne Kamel and O’Neill got off to a good start, steadily climbing with singles and two strong 4s hit by Kamel. After fall of Suzanne’s wicket in the 3rd over, Sara stepped up to the crease starting what was to be an impressive unbroken partnership with O’Neill. Facing an admirable bowling and fielding by Limerick, both players were unbeaten, scoring 56 runs between them, Shelley at 18 (21) and Sara 31 (23) and smashing two 4s each. Cork County ended the innings with an outstanding 76/1 for Limerick C to chase, the highest score in the league achieved by a team thus far.
The second innings opened with Avika’s well-contained deliveries. Cork County kept the opening overs tight, restricting Limerick to singles and one two. However, Limerick put up a strong counter-effort and saw built up of a strong partnership until unlucky hit wicket by Limerick’s batswomen. With Limerick’s strong partnership broken, the game turned to Cork County CC’s favour. Bowlers and some praise-worthy fielding kept next batters not out, but under pressure. A run out by Kamel off Avika’s final ball in the 10th over, and Limerick falling short of the target with 70/2 by the end of the match, ensuring Cork County’s second win of the day.
Overall a critical turning point for winners Cork CC on the pitch in Midleton, yet throughout the teams all displayed friendly camaraderie, support for each other and enjoyable repartee in the spirit of developing Munster women and girls cricket—with a few donuts and cupcakes shared at the end of another captivating T10 round!
Co. Galway CC Report
Co. Galway CC vs Limerick CC
Galway women won the toss and elected to bat first. Browne and Superleague debut Barry opened up the batting order. Barry was the 1st to go as she was bowled a direct wicket by the accurate Limerick captain Westmoreland. Thakur in at 3, scored 7 runs including a 4 but George caught her ball. It was Maxfield in next scoring 7 runs including a 4 but bowled out with elegant speed by Sibi. Guruge turn up to the crease but Sibi struck again 2 deliveries later. Finally it was the Galway captain Burkul to make her mark. Between her and Browne 20 runs were scored taking Galways innings to 65/4.
Thakur opened the bowling. With the the Limerick captain on strike. Guruge up next and kept a good economy for her bowling. 1st wicket came in the 5 over by Burkul, then in the 6th by Maxfield. Burkul struck again in the 7th aided by a catch. The final wicket caught in the 8th over great fielding Limerick were kept to 64/4.
Co. Galway CC vs Cork County CC
2nd match Galway won the toss again and chose to bat. Browne and Thakur opened the and got a partnership of 24. Browne was retired with Maxfield in at 3. Another partnership 23 brought the total up. However Thakur was finally bowled out by Cork spinner Nankan. Barry stepped up to clinch a few more runs but was run out by Kamel. With one ball remaining, Burkul ended the innings with a run. 66/2
An early wicket by Thakur’s bowling brought excitement to Galway. Followed by a another in the 2nd over. Bowled by Maxfield and caught by the wicket keeper Browne. Guruge kept another good over bowling and great effort fielding given lack of a full team. However Nankan and Kamel steadied the Cork side to win with a well-deserved partnership of 53 runs, resulting in a win of 67/2
Ed’s note: Thanks to the MCUWG for their photographs, footage, and fantastic match reports!
