In their second match of the weekend, Ireland Women fell short against Somerset, losing by 158 runs after being bowled out for 65.
After a convincing win over Worcestershire yesterday the team travelled to Bath for today’s game in high spirits, and would have been confident of reaching the target of 224 in their 50 overs, especially after posting over 300 yesterday.
It was not to be though as Clare Shillington fell in the first over, followed by her opening partner Shauna Kavanagh in the third with wickets falling at regular intervals thereafter until the side were bowled out for just 65 in the 25th over.
Lucy O’Reilly replaced Amy Kenealy in the only change to the team that won in Kiddeminster on Sunday.
Louise McCarthy had made an initial breakthrough, but Somerset reached 100 before Isobel Joyce secured the second wicket for Ireland with Luff and Davies both making half centuries.
Some tight bowling and excellent fielding, including direct hit run outs from Kavanagh and Elena Tice saw Somerset restricted to just 223-9 from their 50 overs, when in reality they were positioned to score a lot more heading into the final 20 overs.
O’Reilly (2-41), McCarthy (2-35) and Laura Delany (2-42) ended up with two wickets each and Isobel Joyce (1-33) one as Ireland looked to make it two wins from two over the weekend.
Things started badly with Shillington (2) and Kavanagh (0) both falling early, then both Cecelia (6) and Isobel Joyce (0) shortly after to leave Ireland 20-4 after the first seven overs.
Gaby Lewis (28) and Laura Delany (13) looked to be recovering and building a partnership before Lewis was painfully run out backing up.
That sparked another collapse as Meg Kendal (0), Delany, Robyn Lewis (1) and Tice (0) all fell in the next five overs leaving McCarthy (7) and O’Reilly (5) at the crease with just 52 on the board. The pair resisted, but could only take the score to 65 before McCarthy was caught at mid-wicket and Ireland were all out.
No
Connaught
