CL FUTURES CLAIM TITLE WITH TWO GAMES TO SPARE! (24.07)

The Leinster Women were comprehensive and professional in their performance once again this afternoon, as they claimed yet another bonus point victory, this time batting second, to secure a sixth consecutive win in the competition, this time the one which confirms them as the Future Series Champions for 2026 with two games to spare.

Having lost the toss, Leinster were asked to field first, and after a decent start from the North West side saw them reach 40/1, the introduction of Zara Craig and Ellie McGee into the attack saw immediate dividends, Craig firstly dismissing numbers three and four in Bhavsar and Spence, before McGee accounted for both the skipper McGranaghan and key player McCartney in quick succession. That put the NW on the back foot at 99/7, as Craig and McGee finished with 3/25 and 2/23 respectively.

A wicket for each of Aisling Lawlor and Arisha Foysal, as well as a well-executed run out between the duo, saw the innings close on 140, a score which was well below par and a result of an excellent bowling performance by the home side.

The Leinster chase started solidly, Annabel Squires again finding the boundary regularly, and only losing Susie Whaley as a result of a slight hesitation between the two running between the wickets, when Squires also fell for 28, the Northerners delivered a decent spell, however Lawlor and Craig were more than a match for this, and having seen off the dangerous Bhavsar in particular, began to up the tempo significantly.

They added 87 runs inside just 76 deliveries, finding the boundary almost at will having both gotten set, before Craig fell the ball after an inopportunely timed drinks break. Needing just 13 to win, Izzy McLean joined Lawlor and immediately found the boundary twice, before Lawlor launched a maximum over square leg to secure the victory with more than 18 overs to spare.

This is the second year running that the Leinster Women's team has secured the trophy whilst remaining unbeaten throughout the competition.

Huge congratulations to the whole squad and in particular to Coach, Mick Cotter and Captain Annabel Squires on this achievement.

Our thanks to James Sherwin and David O’Riordan (Sherwin O’Riordan Solicitors) for their ongoing sponsorship support, it is very much appreciated.

The Leinster Women still have two Future Series fixtures remaining as follows:

Saturday 1st August: Leinster Women vs NCU Women (11am, Oak Hill, 40 Overs)
Wednesday 5th August: Leinster Women vs NW Women (11am, Bonds Glen, Killaloo, 40 Overs)