Pembroke Women are going for the double today as they take on Rush out in Rush in the Pilkington Plate 50-over final.
It has been a very close league for the first time in many years, every team winning two matches and losing two. However, Rush and Pembroke had the best percentages of the five sides in the competition.
This is the second time in a week that these two teams are matched up, Rush winning the contest last Sunday. Pembroke had trouble getting a side out for that tie though, and had a lot of tired bodies after a number of their players had a tough week in Holland playing in the European Cup.
Rush have the added bonus of selecting players from outside their club, notably Clare Shillington and Alison Smyth from Malahide. Once Shillington gets going with the bat she is difficult to stop and the short Rush straight boundaries will have her licking her lips.
The 'Broke have a very strong bowling line-up with Kim Garth, Louise McCarthy and Shauna Kavanagh providing the pace. Sharon Corbett - who was player of the match in the 25-over Cup final - is also an important bowler for the Sandymount side, and captain Ciara Metcalfe's legspin is one of their biggest assets.
Rush captain Carole McGuire will lead her side with the bat, and Clare Carthy is also one to watch. Her darting spin bowling has come on a lot in the last year, as has the team's fielding.
If Pembroke can hit their rhythm with the ball they could have too much for Rush, but should Shillington and McGuire get going and set a high total, Pembroke's batting could let them down.