DUNDRUM Women XI avenged their earlier Challenge Plate defeat to Lisburn 2nd XI with a convincing nine-wicket victory in their Section 1 league clash at The Meadow on Monday, 22 June.
Having suffered defeat when the two sides last met, Dundrum were determined to make home advantage count. After losing the toss, they were asked to field first as Lisburn elected to bat.
Lisburn’s innings got off to a steady start through openers Lena Todd (16) and Isobella Keery (5), but Dundrum made an early breakthrough when Rachel Hodge dismissed Keery with the score on 13.
Hanika Abhol (9) shared a 20-run partnership with Todd before Adelaide Shilliday struck to remove Abhol. Lucie Harper then injected momentum into the innings with an aggressive display, adding 40 runs alongside Todd. Todd was eventually dismissed for 16, leaving Lisburn on 78-4 after 13 overs.
Harper continued to take the attack to the Dundrum bowlers before Niamh Lowry ended her entertaining innings on 47 from just 27 balls. Dundrum maintained their discipline throughout the closing overs to restrict the scoring, with Lisburn finishing on 112 from their allotted 20 overs.
Shilliday was the standout performer with the ball, claiming excellent figures of 3-28 from her four overs, while the entire bowling attack kept the visitors under pressure.
In reply, Dundrum’s opening pair of Niamh Lowry and Joscelyn Wright continued the outstanding form they had shown in the previous league victory over CSNI, where they shared an unbeaten 115-run opening partnership.
The pair were once again in complete control, combining fluent stroke play with excellent running between the wickets to race to 89 without loss in just 10 overs. Lowry reached her half-century first, bringing up the milestone from only 37 deliveries, including two fours and four towering sixes, before retiring on 50.
Wright continued the charge and reached a deserved half-century from 39 balls, striking five fours and one six. Charlotte Shilliday then joined Wright at the crease and finished unbeaten on 12 as Dundrum comfortably reached their target in just 14 overs, sealing a comprehensive nine-wicket victory.
The result marks back-to-back league wins for Dundrum Women, who will now look to build further momentum as they continue their impressive run of form.
