The end of June provided a greater sense of how the season is shaping up across all divisions. While the exam season slowed the number of fixtures played, a lot of high quality cricket was still played. The first rounds of the Senior, Junior and Minor Cups completed with the second rounds well under way also.

With the Irish Women's team partaking in two drama filled series against New Zealand and followed by the closely contended series against Bangladesh, this meant that Division 1 games were sparse - but win some T20 wins for Leinster, the ever dominant Merrion and Pembroke.

Only one 50 over game was played, a well contested game between Leinster and Malahide in which Malahide emerged the deserving winners. Paris Crowe top scored with 124 and Niamh Walsh with 90 which left Leinster chasing 295. Leinster fought back with the help of Maria Kerrison top scoring with 71 but ultimately finishing up short, all out for 271 in the 43rd over.

Division 2 finally saw some games played, with wins for Leinster 2, The Hills 2, Malahide 2 and Rush 1s. This division is still proving to be less predictable with all teams showing the depth each club have in their youth players and the high scoring games show this. A similar story is told across division 3, with wins for YMCA 2, Pembroke 3 and North Kildare 2. The league is still wide open in terms of overall points.

Senior Cup:

A dominant Clontarf beat Malahide meaning they will face reigning champions YMCA in their semi-final on the 19th July. Leinster beat Pembroke setting them up for what is sure to be a highly competitive semi against current league toppers Merrion.

The final (which will be held on the 3rd August in Merrion Cricket Club) teams will be decided on the 19th July when both semi-finals are played.

Junior Cup:

Leinster beat Rush in their first round, while North Kildare received a walk over from Malahide. The two teams faced off in a highly competitive semi-final in which Leinster came out victorious.

The second side of the draw saw The Hills 2 beat Phoenix 1, and Merrion 2 beat Pembroke 2 leading to a semi-final between the Hills 2 and Merrion 2 in which Merrion 2 came out on top.

The final will be help in Railway Cricket Club on the 17th of August between Leinster 2 and Merrion 2. A game that is sure to be highly competitive.

Minor Cup:

Pembroke 3 beat North Kildare 2 in the first round, and were the deserving winners in a close semi-final against Leinster 3s, winning off the second last ball.

Rush 2 beat Greystones 1 in their opening game, Clontarf 2 received a walkover from YMCA 2 leading to a competitive semi-final in which Clontarf 2 emerged the winners leading them to their second straight cup final.

Pembroke 3 will play Clontarf 2 in Leinster Cricket Club on the 10th of August

Update from North Kildare from their 6 a side Tournament held on 3rd June 2018

North Kildare CC hosted their inaugural women’s invitational tournament on Sunday the 3rd June in the Maws, Kilcock.

Judith Neuman, President of North Kildare CC said on the event: “The Invitational came about at a women’s committee meeting. We wanted to do an event specifically for our 2nd team and for beginners at the club. We were delighted to have Carlow CC and Greystones CC down to the club.”

The day was very much about participation, with the players who were in the invitational being less experienced or who were starting to play the game for the first time. Being a 6 a side tournament, it gave clubs that are beginning women’s sections the chance to play games, without the need to have a traditional eleven players for league competition.

Bernard O’Mara, North Kildare CC’s Director of Women’s & Youth Cricket said: “North Kildare feel that it is important for all clubs to be providing cricket for women. As well as this, the event was also about developing relationships with other clubs, so there is a stronger community of cricket in the area. With Carlow CC playing on the 3rd June, it is hoped that it will help with the growth of women’s cricket within the Midland region and into new areas in Leinster. The club would like to thank Cricket Leinster for the support of the event, as well as HBV Studios for coming down to the day.”

It is planned to do another event like this later in the season and clubs are more than welcome to come and participate in it. If anyone is interested in doing a similar tournament to this in August/ September, please contact Judith on 087-9313631, or through her email aimsjn@iol.ie

Update from Pembroke on their season so far:

It is hard to believe that we find ourselves more than half way through the 2018 season already. In Pembroke we continue to field three women’s teams which many see as a luxury, but let me assure you, it can have its moments when it most certainly is not!!

The start of the season back in April / May presented the usual start of season problems; trying to relocate our players, trying to get them to find their gear and then generate interest in getting people to come outside in the cold.

We were delighted to have Clare Shillington join our ranks as club coach and also to play. We are also very lucky to have our experienced and younger players being involved in various squads at both senior and junior international and provisional levels, it is great to see all their hard work paying off.

In terms of our games and progress this season so far it has been a mixed bag really. Our 1st XI have a steady squad and are going from strength to strength. While we don’t win every game we play we are certainly developing and growing, the support and guidance from skipper Shauna and coach Clare have been instrumental in this.

Our 2nd XI have been struggling a little more than usual, with a number of last years players moving up the ranks and a number moving away we found the start of the season difficult enough, but now that we are into July and junior certs & school trips are over we hope to consolidate and finish the season stronger than we started it.

The 3rd XI in PCC is genuinely where the spirit of cricket is fully alive and well, unlike many other clubs our 3rds is made up of a more mature group of players – many of whom are beginners – but oh boy do they enjoy their cricket. Win, lose or draw these ladies are a force to be reckoned with, do not underestimate them and do not expect to break their spirit any time soon.

This year is Pembroke Cricket Club 150th Anniversary and as part of this we are holding and hosting a number of big profile and special events throughout the season – we hope to see you all along the wall to join with us in these celebrations over the coming months!

June did not fail to entertain with high level cricket being played all round in every division. We hope July can provide some more great games and excitement, especially with the advancing stages of the Senior, Junior and Minor Cups.

Lastly we wish good luck to our National Women's team who are competing in the Netherlands this week to qualify for the 2018 ICC Women's World Twenty20 in the West Indies. Backing You! COYGIG

Compiled by Stephanie Woods on behalf of the Cricket Leinster Women's Committee