Ireland’s good form in the Division 3 of the ECB Women’s County Championship continued as they beat the weather with a convincing win over Hertfordshire.
Ireland’s good form in the Division 3 of the ECB Women’s County Championship continued as they beat the weather with a convincing win over Hertfordshire in a rain-shortened match.
After a disappointing Saturday when the Gloucestershire groundsman and appointed umpires combined to call off the match very early where Ireland Women were due to play against Gloucestershire at Nevil Road, a win against Hertfordshire the following day somewhat salvaged the weekend for the Ireland women’s team.
Water did seep under the covers and onto the wicket at Letchworth which meant a delayed start, but with both teams keen to get a game in, the game was reduced to 44 overs. Winning the toss, captain Isobel Joyce put Hertfordshire in.
Kim Garth opened with Louise McCarthy and both ended with outstanding figures, Garth with 9-2-12-2 and McCarthy with 6.2-2-8-2. Elena Tice was unlucky not to claim a wicket in her nine overs which went for 29 while Isobel Joyce was top wicket taker with three, going for 19 in her nine. Hertfordshire batted almost their full complement for their total of 109, but Louise McCarthy claimed the final wicket in the second ball of her seventh over – also the 44th.
Clare Shillington and Cecelia Joyce opened and Shillington went at top speed from the beginning, scoring 37 from 26 balls until she holed out to off-spinner Anje Lague. Her departure brought Isobel Joyce to the crease and the sisters finished the game in the 21st over with just one wicket down, Cecelia ending on 40 and Isobel on 26.
Ireland have now won three from three but still lie in third place while Saturday’s would-be opponents Gloucestershire lie in first place having won two games with one abandoned and four cancelled due to rain. 
Ireland at Loughborough before playing England & India
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