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

An action packed evening of ED Sports Premier League tonight saw wins for Balbriggan, Rush, Malahide & Merrion, as both cup finalists kept up some strong form in their last fixtures ahead of next Friday's final.

In Jack Harper Park, Balbriggan claimed a 57 run win over Leinster thanks to a solid batting performance. They ran up 200/3 in their 20 overs thanks to an unbeaten 72 from Courtney Gounden, accompanied by 42 for Nina Kerr and a rapid unbeaten 31 from Tess Maritz. In response, 58 from the in-form and returning Laura Delany was the backbone of the innings for the Rathmines outfit, accompanied by 37 for Joanna Loughran, however Julia Hoal's 2/39 was the pick of the bowlers in restricting them to just 143/6 in their 20 overs and securing full points for Balbriggan.

In Kenure, The Hills batted first and were indebted to the returning Jane Maguire and Lara McBride, who made 42 and 29 respectively in making 147/8 in 20 overs, with the progress stunted thanks to two wickets apiece for Elizabeth Cohr and Darcie Armstrong. In response, 68 for Ellie McGee, accompanied by 65 for overseas player Cate Pedersen guided Rush the majority of the way to their final total of 150, as 2/33 for Jane Maguire was the pick of the bowlers in a 7-wicket win for the home side.

A sensational final over for Malahide guided them to a 6 wicket win against Pembroke, with Anna Kerrison the hero making an unbeaten 60. Earlier in the day, an unbeaten 61 for Susie Whaley, accompanied for 40 for Marama Downes had guided the visitors to 145/3 in their 20 overs. Mhairi Nicoll's 2/25 was the pick of the Pembroke bowlers, helping them to contain Malahide relatively well, however Kerrison bludgeoned 14 off the final 3 balls of Downes' final over to guide the hosts home off the last ball of the 20 overs.

Finally in Anglesea Road, Merrion's in-form opening duo were once again to the fore, as a century for Bella Armstrong, who was on 101 when she retired hurt, accompanied by an unbeaten 73 for Annabel Squires guided the home side to 199/0 in their 20 overs. Armstrong's good day continued, as she claimed 3/23 from her four overs, supported by 2/20 from fellow opener Niamh MacNulty restricted Phoenix to 137/5 in spite of 65 from Aditiba Chudasma and Zara Craig.