The Women’s Super 3’s Series was one of the real success stories of the Irish summer, as three new representative sides fought it out over two formats for the first Super 3’s trophy.
The format of the competition was simple, with each team playing each other four times, twice in 50-over cricket, and twice over the shorter T20 format. Teams would get two points for a win and one for a tie, with games being played across a variety of venues throughout the summer.
Three sides were created from a pool of 42 players and the Scorchers, Dragons and Typhoons were born. The pool of players included women from Leinster, the North-West and Northern Cricket Unions, with the majority having been involved with Irish cricket at either a senior, or emerging player level.
With the three sides named, Kim Garth (Scorchers), Elena Tice (Typhoons) and Mary Waldron (Dragons) were named as captains and the tournament got started in May, with the Scorchers taking on the Typhoons in the opening clash.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first the Typhoons soon found themselves in real trouble as two wickets from Kim Garth, one from Lucy O’Reilly and a run out left them four wickets down for just 15 runs.
Kate McKenna led the fightback for the Typhoons though with a brilliant and patient 69 not out, helping the Typhoons to bat their full 50 overs making 152-8. Although that was a great recovery after the start they had made, it was nowhere near enough as the Scorchers reached their target for the loss of just one wicket, Meg Kendall finishing 59 not out.
Things did not get any easier for the Typhoons a week later as their batters struggled once again, McKenna continuing her early season form to top score with 32 as the Typhoons made just 88-7 in reply to the Dragons’ 248-9. Cecelia Joyce (46) and Laura Delany (48) had earlier fell agonisingly close to getting the first half century in a Dragons shirt as Louise McCarthy took 4-39 for the Typhoons.
After the two opening 50-over fixtures attention turned to the 20-over format as all three sides took part in two T20 days held at Leinster CC in Rathmines.
All three sides played each other twice on the June Bank Holiday weekend, with the Typhoons picking up their first win of the tournament when Kate McKenna once again top scored before Lucy Small and Vanessa Kaleda took two wickets each as the Dragons were unable to chase 143 to win in the second game of the day.
In the opening game the Dragons were blown away by Scorchers captain Kim Garth, who took tournament best figures of 5-5 as the Dragons were bowled out for 48, Rebecca Stokell picking up the only two wickets as the Scorchers cruised to their second victory of the tournament.
They continued that run in the final game of the day, although they were ran close by the Typhoons. Robyn Lewis made 40 for the Scorchers as they made 136-5, with the Typhoons falling just 14 runs short after five batters, including four in three overs, were run out, handing victory to the Scorchers.
The second day of T20 action was cut short due to bad weather, but not before what was probably the highlight of the season for the neutral as the Scorchers and Dragons played out a rain affected tie in the morning match, the Dragons making 88-7 in their 20 overs before rain came during the Scorchers reply.
The sides had left the field with the Scorchers level on Duckworth-Lewis-Stern but the opportunity arose to fit in one more over of play, with the Scorchers leaving the field thinking they had won thanks to an Anna Kerrison (21 not out) boundary from the final ball, but the scores were still level on Duckworth-Lewis-Stern and the match was declared a tie.
Rachel Delaney was the star with the ball, taking 3-24 as the Dragons beat the Typhoons in the first of the re-arranged T20 fixtures, before the Typhoons returned a week later to inflict a first defeat of the season on the Scorchers after Sash Maloney made 48 not out.
Heading into the final 50-over fixtures, the Scorchers, despite that defeat were still in the driving seat, and further cemented their position at the top of the table with a high scoring victory over the Dragons in their first meeting in the 50-over format.
Thanks to a brilliant 125 from Meg Kendal and 74 from Hannah de Burgh Whyte the Scorchers made an imposing 320-9 at North Kildare before Laura Delany (61) and Cecelia Joyce (73 not out) both made half centuries as the Dragons made 250 all out in reply.
The Dragons bounced back from that defeat with a comprehensive win over the Typhoons, which effectively ended their hopes of taking the title, Mary Waldron making 51 and Sash Maloney taking 5-50 as the Dragons posted 266-9.
The Typhoons struggled in their replay thanks to some great bowling from the Dragons, eventually bowling the Typhoons out for 170 to put pressure on the Scorchers at the top of the table.
That pressure increased in the penultimate game of the season as the Dragons inflicted a first 50-over defeat on the Scorchers with a dramatic one wicket win at North Kildare. Chasing 143 to win the Dragons had time to spare, but they found it harder to keep wickets in hand.
Jenny Gray made a crucial 48 in the reply, with the dramatic victory coming with just one wicket remaining, meaning the Scorchers would go into the final game of the season needing a win to secure the inaugural title.
Two wickets a piece for Kim Garth and Brooke Hepburn reduced the Typhoons to 116 all out despite 48 from Clare Shillington, but once again it was the Scorchers fielding that took centre stage, with the side once again picking up five run outs in the innings.
Elena Tice picked up 3-35 as the Scorchers nervously made their way to 117-4, with 45 not out from Leah Paul helping the Scorchers secure the win and take the title in the first season of the Super 3’s. Kim Garth collected the trophy for the Scorchers, as well as the individual award for player of the tournament.
The Super 3’s will return once again in 2016, and we look forward to your support once again.
Pic: Sue Kenealy
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Connaught
