TOP FOUR ALL WIN AS TITLE RACE HEATS UP! ED SPORTS PREMIER LEAGUE (AUGUST 13TH)

Sublime run-chases from Merrion and Pembroke headlined the bill in the ED Sports Premier League this evening, as wins for Balbriggan and Clontarf meant each of the top four were victorious and keep the heat rising at the top of the table.

Starting off in Observatory Lane, Leinster made 132/7 thanks mainly to 43 from Laura Delany, supported by 27 for Joanna Loughran as two wickets for each of Bella Armstrong and Síbha Bhoja kept the home side in check. The Rathmines outfit made the perfect start, dismissing in-form Annabel Squires first ball, however a blitz from Armstrong saw her unbeaten on 89 from just 28 deliveries, supported by 37* for Rebecca Stokell, as they ran out 9 wicket winners in just 7 overs, scoring at almost 19 per over!

Up next, in Kenure, Rush will have been very pleased with their score of 200/4 in their 20 overs, Cate Pedersen remaining unbeaten on 77, whilst the top score was Rebecca Lowe's 79. Marama Downes somehow escaping the carnage in taking 2/11 for Pembroke to help restrict the damage. What followed from LouLou Little was bordering on the ridiculous, as she smashed an unbeaten 151 from just 66 deliveries, taking her side from a potentially precarious position at 51/3 all the way to their target with 9 balls to spare. Little shared an unbroken stand of 151 with Susie Whaley, who played her role excellently in making 27 from just 26, ensuring a 7 wicket win for the Sydney Parade side.

In Jack Harper Park, there were runs once again for the South African contingent at the top of the order for Balbriggan, as Madison Landsman's 64, supported by an unbeaten 32 for Courtney Gounden guided their side to 167/7 in 20 overs. It could have been much worse for Phoenix, however Siúin Woods' 4/32 and two wickets for Arisha Foysal kept the score to something which looked manageable. In response, three wickets for Lara Maritz, accompanied by two for each of Julia Hoal and Landsman saw Phoenix held to 112/8 in their 20 overs, and Balbriggan run out 55 run winners.

Finally in The Vineyard, The Hills could muster just 94/8 in their 20 overs, as there were three wickets for each of Lucy Barry and Rosie Neuman-Jones for the travelling Clontarf. Neuman-Jones was to the fore once again with the bat, dominating at the top in making 47, whilst an unbeaten 39 for Robyn Searle saw the Castle Avenue side claiming a 9 wicket win with more than 8 overs to spare!