A women's Minor Cup Final where the team first to bat scores only 49 doesn't sound like a thriller, but a thriller it was. Pembroke 3rds hosted The Hills 2nds on one of the only sunny Saturday mornings of the year today, and a big crowd witnessed some superior bowling on both sides.
Pembroke batted first and not one batter made it into double figures. The wickets were spread around for The Hills with two each for Samantha Keegan, Sophie Clinton and Vivienne Byrne and one each for Rhiannon Pope, Lauren Hoey and Katie Boylan as well as one run-out. Extras top scored with 20 and The Hills would have expected to win without much trouble.
But Pembroke didn't reach the final by accident and they certainly were not going to give up without a fight. Opening bowler Aileen Fitzpatrick put in a player of the match performance taking five wickets and giving Pembroke a real chance at the unlikeliest of victories. Eimear Mullen was the other wicket taker taking two for 11 runs from her four overs.
Caroline Clinton was the one constant in The Hills' innings, scoring a well measured 21 before she was out. But at that stage Katie Boylan (11) was in and going strong and eventually scored the winning runs in the 19th over.