Cecelia Joyce on her way to 72* for Merrion v YMCA at the weekend
Womens D1 T20 League starts tonight with matches:
Leinster v Malahide
Merrion v Clontarf
The Hills v YMCA
With both teams starting off with wins in the 50 Over at the weekend, there will be a lot of interest in the outcome of the match in Rathmines. Malahide go into the game on the back of a massive 313/3, with Paris Crowe scoring 120*. Maria O’Halloran [3/14], Aisling McCormack [2/8] and Anna Kerrison [2/26] picked up the bulk of the wickets for Malahide. Leinster also scored well in their weekend encounter with Pembroke. They made 273/6 with Sophie MacMahon [99] leading the way but with good support from Valmai Gee [57]. Sue O’Connor led the Leinster bowling attack [3/27], supported by Vanessa Kelada [2/21] and Ava Canning [2/36]. So two strong batting line-ups go head to head.
Merrion take on Clontarf in Anglesea Road on Sunday. Merrion had to chase down YMCA’s 183/9 which they did for the loss of four wickets thanks to half centuries from Cecelia [72*] and Isobel [56] Joyce. Earlier Celeste Raack had taken 3/28 with her leg-spin. Clontarf will be keen to get a win but will be concerned about the strong Merrion batting line-up.
In the third game The Hills take on YMCA. Jennifer Gray [54], Heidi Cheatle [40] and Lucy O’Reilly [30] were all in the runs at the weekend and they will be hoping to make that form into their second game.