Chloe Tyron and Sune Luus starred for South Africa as they beat Ireland by a comprehensive 89 runs at Anglesea Road in the first of four one-day internationals.
Tyron’s powerful innings contained no fewer than 6 sixes as she batted magnificently to top score with 92 from just 68 balls.
She shared a 6th wicket stand of 142 in just 129 balls with Sune Luus to rescue South Africa from a precarious 106 for 5.
The pivotal moment in the game came when Tyron was dropped on 13, and she made the Irish pay with a increasingly brutal innings.
Luus proved the perfect foil – making a fine 52 from 67 balls (7 fours) as South Africa made an imposing 283 for 7.
Opener Laura Wolvaardt had played positively striking 9 fours in her 55 dominating an opening stand of 52 with Chetty (10).
Kim Garth (3-61) was the most successful of the Irish attack, although spinners Ciara Metcalfe (1-31) and Gaby Lewis (1-37) exerted the most control.
The Irish slumped to 56 for 5 in reply despite 23 from Cecelia Joyce and thereafter it was all about respectability.
Clare Shillington (29)- playing in her 150th game for the Girls In Green – shared a 50 run stand with vice-captain Kim Garth as Ireland showed plenty of fight.
Sune Luus (6-36) bowled superbly as the Irish innings faltered but Garth remained defiant in top scoring with an unbeaten 72.
The Pembroke all-rounder struck 7 fours in her 80 ball knock as Ireland were dismissed for 194 – losing by 89 runs.
The teams meet again in the second one-day international at Claremont Road on Sunday.
IRELAND WOMEN v SOUTH AFRICA WOMEN
At Anglesea Road, 1st ODI
SOUTH AFRICA 283/7 (50 overs; C Tyron 92, L Wolvaardt 55, S Luus 52, K Garth 3-61)
IRELAND 194 all out (44.5 overs, K garth 72*, C Shillington 29, C Joyce 23, S Luus 6-36)
South Africa Women beat Ireland Women by 89 runs
Ireland Women
No
Connaught
