WINS FOR MERRION, PEMBROKE, CLONTARF AND BALBRIGGAN - ED SPORTS PREMIER LEAGUE!

A comprehensive victory for Merrion was the stand-out performance this evening in the ED Sports Premier League as they continued their unbeaten start to their defence of the title.

Bella Armstrong was the star of the show, as she firstly claimed two wickets for just six runs in restricting Leinster to just 108/8 in their 20 overs, Tash Richardson top scoring for the visitors with 28, as both Julianne Morrissey and Aisling Lawlor also took two wickets apiece. Armstrong then took the game by the scruff of the neck, bludgeoning an unbeaten 56 from just 42 deliveries, including seven fours and a six as the hosts claimed victory with 8 wickets and 7 overs to spare.

In Castle Avenue, Robyn Searle's 97 helped Clontarf rack up 186/2 off their 20 overs, as she shared a stand of 162 with Sue Lawless who was unbeaten on 43. In reply, The Hills could manage just 105/5, Eve Meachen the main resistance with 43 of her own, as Annabel Walsh's 2/21 was the pick of the bowlers for the home side.

In Sydney Parade, Pembroke made 137/8 in their 20 overs thanks to 29 for Izzy McLean, an unbeaten 28 for Susie Whaley, and brisk 23 from Marama Downes. Mabel O'Donoghue's 4/32 saw her the pick of the Rush bowlers, with Elizabeth Cohr also claiming 2/19. An excellent all-round performance for Pembroke saw them keep Rush to just 124 all out in the 19th over, 3/28 for Mhairi Nicoll the pick of the bowlers, whilst there were two apiece for Anna Beale and KimLi McDonald, as only Cate Pedersen's unbeaten 58 could show any level of resistance for the away side.

Finally in the Phoenix Park, a half century for Courtney Gounden, supported by 24 for Lara Maritz guided Balbriggan to 132/5 in their 20 overs, Aditiba Chudasama the pick of the bowlers for the home side. In response, Darcey Dalwood was unbeaten on 51, however wickets at key times saw Phoenix falling 8 runs short, Erin Bond the pick of the bowlers, taking 2/26.