Hunter dominates proceedings as Malahide defeat The Hills

Amy Hunter was the star of the show as Malahide beat The Hills by 53-runs (DLS) on Thursday night.

Displaying an array of shots, exhibiting incredible footwork, timing and placement, Hunter scored 91 not out that included nine boundaries and a swept six from on one knee. Hunter has been talked-up by teammates and opponents alike and it was easy to see why.

Whether it was clearing her front foot to spear a drive through cover or moving effortlessly to meet the ball on the half-volley, Hunter showed both technique and power in her 70-ball innings.

Having lost last week’s partner Caoimhe McCann (4) in the second over, Anna Kerrison (35*) proved the perfect foil as she rotated the strike before upping the run rate late in the innings. Their partnership of 134 took Malahide to an imposing total of 140/1 at the halfway point.

Kerrison (2-8) then proved her worth with the ball as Malahide kept The Hills reply under control. Despite Tess Maritz (27) and Cliodhna O’Reardon (17) putting on 40 for the opening wicket, once Maria O’Halloran (2-12) made the breakthrough, the wickets fell at regular intervals.

With 18 overs bowled Malahide had restricted The Hills to 73/8 and the light had closed in considerably. The umpires took the players from the field and with the par score being 126, Malahide had secured a 53-run DLS victory.

Anna Kerrison played very well tonight, and Malahide are an impressive side, but on the boundary the only topic of conversation was Amy Hunter and that innings. 

Elsewhere on Thursday night, Leinster had a 9-wicket over Pembroke at Sydney Parade. Shauna Kavanagh (38) and Louise Little (36*) continued their good form with the bat as Pembroke posted 108/4 off their 20 overs. However, an 80-run opening partnership between Rebecca Rolfe (41*) and Sophie MacMahon (33) set up a comfortable victory for Leinster with eight balls to spare.

At Castle Avenue meanwhile, Merrion defeated Clontarf by 32 runs. Merrion posted 113/8 despite three wickets apiece for Emma (3-10) and Molly (3-26) Butler. Susan Lawless (21), Anna Kirk (15) and Molly Butler (13) got starts but Clontarf never really threatened to chase down the target as five Merrion bowlers took wickets to restrict the home side to 81/6 in their reply.

Sprint Coatings Division 1 20-over

Malahide v The Hills, Malahide, Thursday July 23^rd   

Malahide 140/1 20 Overs (A Hunter 91*, A Kerrison 35*; J Hanna 1-23)

The Hills 73/8 18 Overs (T Maritz 27; A Kerrison 2-8, M O’Halloran 2-12)

Bad light stopped play

Malahide won by 53 runs by DLS