Lydican provided the idyllic backdrop for the MCU Women and Girls T10 SuperCup last weekend. Under blue skies, the three teams of Cork County CC, Limerick CC and Co. Galway CC battled it out for silverware. Many congratulations to Limerick CC, who claimed the title in dramatic fashion!
Limerick CC Reports:
After Limerick CC’s Junior Cup victory, there was more silverware up for grabs in the form of the Women’s T10 SuperCup. Limerick’s women’s team wrote their name into the history books, in their inaugural season, by winning the cup with victories over County Galway and Cork County to claim their first bit of silverware.
With just one win so far this season, Limerick entered the day as considerable underdogs. Saadia Mehmood led the troops and she elected to bowl against the hosts after winning the toss. Sana George and Sheena Van De Munckhof created some early pressure with the new ball, George picking up the early wicket of Thakur with just the second ball of the innings. Limerick were sharp in the field and forced two run outs leaving the score at 30-3 at the end of the sixth over. The skipper then lead by example, bowling a fine spell conceding just two runs and taking one wicket. Galway pressed on in the final three overs and made 49 to give Limerick a target of 50.
There was some good battles in the run chase but opener Sanjana Shashikumar and Ashitha Dabbadka played some delicate shots, with Dabbadka finding the boundary three times towards her 17 runs. She would depart at 27-2 at the cusp of the half-way point. With the game in the balance, a brilliant third-wicket partnership between Sana George and Madhumithaa Marimuthu sealed the deal as their 23-run stand gave Limerick the win with two overs to spare.
RESULT| Limerick defeated County Galway by 5 wickets.
County Galway W: 49-4 off 10 overs.
Saadia Mahmood 1-4
Sana George 1-10
Limerick W: 50-2 off 8.1 overs.
Ashitha Dabbadka 17
Sana George 12*
Knowing victory in the second game would give them the honours, Limerick headed into the game full of confidence from the win against Galway. Mehmood lost the toss on this occasion as County chose to bat with dry conditions in Lycidan. The skipper took the new ball and history repeated itself with Limerick striking early in the first over again. County bounced back and took advantage of some extras to up the scoring which brought them into a strong position, 32-1, after 5 overs. Nisha Patil picked up a crucial wicket in the sixth over, clean bowling the dangerous Sara with her final delivery, to leave the score at 40-2. County meandered their way to 67-2 at the end of their innings, Limerick’s 24 extras making them the enemies of their own downfall.
In response, Limerick were on the charge from the off with Maria Van de Munckhof and Ashitha Dabbadka finding some much-needed boundaries. The loss of Van de Munckhof didn’t stem the Shannonsider’s momentum, as Sana George ensured they were on par with some well-timed shots beating the outfield. Dabbadka’s 23 from 14 balls put Limerick in a great position before Patil and George steered the ship home as Limerick chased down their target with the final ball of the eight over. Celebrations ensued as Saadia Mehmood lifted the trophy with her teammates and they took another piece of silverware back to Limerick Cricket Club.
RESULT | Limerick defeated Cork County by 5 wickets.
Cork County W: 67-2 off 10 overs.
Nisha Patil 1-7
Saadia Mahmood 1-15
Limerick W: 68-2 off 8 overs
Ashitha Dabbadka 23
Sana George 18*
Co. Galway CC Reports:
The 1st Munster Women’s T10 Supercup held at Lydican, home of Co Galway CC. The conditions for the first game were windy and the outfield was damp which meant the toss was going to be key.
The first game was between Limerick and Galway. Limerick won the toss and chose to field. Evelyn Maxfield and Jagriti Thakur opened the batting for Galway. Galway’s hopes of a big opening partnership was cut short when Jagriti was caught off the bowling of Sana George in the first over. With some good fielding and wet outfield runs were hard to come by for Galway. This led to a couple of run outs thanks to some sharp fielding by Sana George.
Evelyn Maxfield was the backbone of the Galway batting unit. Evelyn’s contribution along with some gritty and resilient batting from Sasindi Guruge and Sarah Barry, Galway ended the first innings at 49/4 Limerick openers Ashitha Dabbadka Muthappa and Sanjana Shashikumar were off to a good start. Ashitha continuing her good form played some very good shots to keep her team on track to chase down the target. Some good fielding by Jagriti resulted in a run out and first wicket for Galway. Ashitha found the boundary 3 times but a good ball off the bowling of Evelyn Maxfield led to a knick from Ashitha and found the gloves of the keeper Beverley Hannon. Sana George then continued the run chase with some fine batting and supported by Madhumithaa Marimuthu. There was some good accurate bowling from Jagriti, Sidhi, Sasindi, Beverley, Rohini and Evelyn but were not able to hinder the run chase and eventually Limerick reached their target in fine fashion from just 8.1 overs.
Co. Galway CC vs Cork Co. CC (last match of the day)
With Limerick victorious in their two matches, second place still had to be determined. Cork won the toss and elected to bat first. Sidhi Kadam opened the Galway Women’s bowling side and kept a good economy. Followed by Sasindi Guruge who bowled out Gunika Phogat by nicking the ball with her bat and, almost unnoticed, delicately dislodged a bail if it wasn’t for the keen eyes of Galway’s wicket keeper Beverly Hannon. Jaagriti Thakur gained a second wicket for Galway with her third ball of the next over. Hit by Suzanne Kamel to be caught by Evelyn Maxfield. Sara Kamel, who scored an impressive 22 runs off 12 balls including four 4s, was a crucial wicket to be clean bowled by Galway captain Rohini Burkul. With Cork’s main batter dismissed and superb fielding by Sarah Barry, Deirdre Coen and Rupali Kadam Cork finished out the 10 overs 54/3.
Galway was up next to bat for the second innings with Evelyn Maxfield and Beverly Hannon to open. Evelyn was caught and bowled by an alert Ciara Spalding after just scoring 2 runs. Jaagriti Thakur went in at number three to bat. Beverly and Jagriti settled into a fantastic partnership of 40 including a swift 4 from Beverly. No doubt putting some of her hockey skills to good use. With 13 wides given as extras Galway won 55/1 with wickets to spare resulting in 2nd place in the Munster Women’s T10 Supercup. Congratulations again to the mighty women of Limerick Cricket Club on winning the first Munster Women’s Supercup!
Lastly GCC women would like to thank all who facilitated the matches including groundsman Tom Maxfield, umpires Steve Woods and John O’Dea, who is also President of Co. Galway Cricket Club.
Many thanks to Joman Joseph of Acme Photography for the excellent photographs.
