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A fluent 53 from Cecelia Joyce and a devastating three wicket opening spell from Louise McCarthy guided Ireland to a 6 wicket victory over Wales in the ECB County Championship today.
Chasing 115 to for victory, Ireland openers Joyce and Una Raymond-Hoey (18) got Ireland off to solid start at Newport Cricket Club with a first wicket stand of 67.

Joyce was particularly punishing on the Welsh spinners, taking advantage of anything loose as she brought up her half-century in 72 balls, in a knock that included seven boundaries before she was adjudged lbw to Davies leaving Ireland on 89-2.

With victory in their sights, there was still time for some late drama as Elena Tice (4) was caught after top-edging a full toss, and Rebecca Rolfe was bowled by Clare Thomas for 6 to leave Ireland on 111-3. But Shaunagh Kavanagh sealed victory in the 34th when she dispatched a full toss to the deep mid-wicket boundary.

Earlier, Louise McCarthy continued her fine run of form with the ball, getting Ireland off to flying start by cleaning bowling Cerys Thomas in the 5th over to put Wales under early pressure at 4-1. McCarthy wasn’t finished there and she struck the stumps twice again in her next over to remove Parfitt (4) and Thomas (2) to leave the home side in all sorts of trouble on 7-3.

Before Wales could add another run Amy Kenealy got in on the act by removing Davies without scoring, again clean bowled, as both opening bowlers displayed great discipline.

Teenagers Lucy O’Reilly and Elena Tice picked up a wicket each before Rebecca Rolfe threw down the stumps from mid-on to reduce Wales to 37-7.

Marsh and Struthers consolidated for the hosts, and together they brought the score on to 68-8 before the latter fell victim to Raymond-Hoey – caught by Joyce at cover for a hard fought 8.

After Kenealy bowled Wyne for 9 it was up to O’Reilly to claim the final wicket of Marsh who, with 34, was the only Welsh pair to make double figures after a late flurry of runs; Wales finished on 114 all out.

It was a fantastic all around display from Ireland, who now turn their focus to the next match in the ECB County Championship Division Two which is against Wostershire on Sunday, June 29th.

At Spytty Park, Nerport:

WALES: 114 all out (Marsh 34, N Davies 9, L McCarthy 10-6-13-3, A Kenealy 10-1-32-2, L O’Reilly 7.5-0-20-2)

IRELAND: 115-4 (C Joyce 53, U Raymond-Hoey 18, C Thomas 4-1-5-1)

Ireland win by 6 wickets

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