WINS FOR MERRION, BALBRIGGAN, MALAHIDE AND LEINSTER - ED SPORTS PREMIER LEAGUE (AUGUST 6TH)

It was a night of high-drama in the ED Sports Premier League, as Balbriggan and Leinster were comprehensive winners, whilst Malahide and Merrion left it late in their respective run-chases, Merrion reclaiming top spot in the table in the process.

Kicking off in Observatory Lane, Leinster kept The Hills to 93 all out inside 20 overs, Matilda McCartney top scoring for the visitors, as there were two wickets apiece for Alex Sheedy, Isabella Merriman and Orla Bagnall. Bagnall was the key performer in the chase, top scoring with 42, whilst Sheedy was unbeaten on 29, accompanied for the winning runs by the returning Sophie MacMahon, as the hosts sealed a 9-wicket win in just half their allocated overs.

Up next, in Kenure, Balbriggan's South African contingent dominated proceedings in the first innings, as Courtney Gounden (78) and Julia Hoal (61) combined for 139 of the 169 runs scored off the bat in their 20 overs. Elyse Jones was the pick of the Rush bowlers, claiming 4/27, whilst Elizabeth Cohr's 2/14 was a particularly impressive spell when Balbriggan's total of 201/9 is considered. In response, only stand-in skipper Cate Pedersen could muster much resistance, making 35 as this time it was Anna Vezhakattu that was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3/19, whilst there were two apiece for Gounden and Hoal in wrapping up a comprehensive victory.

In Malahide, Phoenix batted first and were indebted to an unbeaten 57 from Aditiba Chudasama in guiding them to 116/4 in their 20 overs, Arisha Foysal also adding 23 at the top of the order in a modest effort for the away side. Freya Sargent was the stand out with the ball, taking 1/13, whilst there were also a pair of run-outs to help stunt the away side's progress. In reply, Darcey Dalwood's dash from Super Series duty proved worthwhile immediately, as she dismissed overseas player Meg Thompson and Sorcha O'Carolan-Murphy inside the PowerPlay to put Phoenix on the front foot. Sargent and skipper Anna Kerrison added 55, before the opener fell for 26, before another strong stand between Kerrison and Sarah Condron (22) added 40 more before the latter was dismissed. Dalwood returned and finished her spell with 2/19, taking the game to the last over, however Kerrison was the hero once again, finishing 48* in sealing a last-gasp 6-wicket victory for the home side!

Finally in Castle Avenue, the side that started the night as league leaders batted first, and whilst four batters passed 10, only Maeve Martin (23*) could reach 20, with no player out-scoring extras (27) in their total of 122/8 in 20 overs. Ashwi Manoj was the pick of the bowlers for Merrion, claiming 2/15, whilst Julianne Morrissey was also excellent, taking 2/18, as every bowler claimed a wicket for the away side. Merrion's response started well, as they raced to 48 inside 7 overs, before losing both openers Bella Armstrong (29) and Aoife Brennan (12) without progressing the score. Aoife Hayden then top-scored with 32, however when she was dismissed with the total on 115, it was set to be a close finish. Ally Boucher held her nerve however, finishing unbeaten on 18, adding the winning runs with skipper Niamh MacNulty to claim a 5 wicket win with 2 balls to spare, and return Merrion to the top of the table once again.