CARLOW CLAIM GS CRICKET JUNIOR CUP TITLE GLORY!

It was another low-scoring thriller in Rush this afternoon, as Carlow claimed the GS Cricket Junior Cup title for the 2025 season with a 42 run victory over a spirited Ashbourne side.

Having won the toss and elected to bowl first, Ashbourne captain Vikas Panse was no doubt delighted when his charges had reduced their opponents to 3/3 after the opening two overs. From there Carlow recovered to 36/3 from six overs, however yet more madness threw them off-line again, with the side scrambling from 82/6 with five overs remaining, to reach what they themselves though to be an under-par 108 in their 20 overs.

That score suddenly looked massive when Carlow skipper and opening bowler Dammar Budhathoki claimed three wickets in his opening two overs to help reduce Ashbourne to just 14/5. From there they could never recover, especially having had to see off the remainer of Budhathoki's spell for not many runs. At the halfway stage the score was 32/6 and Carlow were flying. They kept things tight throughout, and ultimately an excellent all-round bowling performance restricted Ashbourne to 66 all out in the 16th over of the game, securing a 42 run victory.

Congratulations to all at Carlow CC on a tremendous performance that secured the title for this season, a fantastic achievement. Cricket Leinster would also like to thank the competition sponsor GS Cricket, and today's hosts Rush CC for their terrific hospitality throughout.