LEINSTER FUTURES SEAL TITLE WITH GAME TO SPARE!

A chilly Derry afternoon welcomed the CL Women’s Future Series side to Ballyspallen today, where a comprehensive 64 run win saw them claiming the title for the 2025 season with a game to spare!

Having lost the toss, the visitors batted and found themselves under pressure on a wicket where batting was undoubtedly tough at the start.

From 65/6 just after the halfway stage, Leinster saw Zara Craig and Ellie McGee put together the most fruitful partnership of the innings, adding 48 and taking the game right to the 19th over before the Rush all-rounder was dismissed for 21.

Craig finished unbeaten on 43, having guided the innings from the fifth over right through to the end, reaching a total of 123/7.

Lucy Barry shared the new ball with Craig, and the Clontarf seamer bowled an excellent opening spell. She claimed 2/6 in three overs as, alongside a wicket for Craig and fine direct-hit run out from Tector, the NW side were reduced to 21/4 in the PowerPlay.

Rebecca Cleary claimed the next two wickets to fall to finish with 2/9, whilst Ellie McGee finally saw reward for a brilliant spell of bowling when she took a wicket in her fourth over, finishing with 1/9 from her allocation.

Arisha Foysal (2/8) and Aoife Hayden (1/9) helped to wrap up proceedings, as the NW could muster just 59, with Leinster running out 64 run winners.

This victory saw Leinster crowned champions for 2025 with a game to spare. The tournament will conclude tomorrow when the side take on the same opposition in Derry once again, this time in a 50 over fixture.

Congratulations to all players involved on an excellent tournament in securing the Future Series title for 2025!