Last Wednesday (23 July), Dundrum Women hosted Bangor Cricket Club’s womens’ team in a rearranged league game. Dundrum secured an impressive victory which will give them great momentum as the season reaches the closing stages.
Bangor won the toss and, on a cold evening at The Meadow, elected to bat first. Dundrum opened the bowling with Joscelyn Wright and Rachel Hodge. Wright, who was recently playing for Ireland U-17s in England, got the early breakthrough, bowling Rachel McDowell (5) in the third over to leave Bangor 7 for 1. Hodge was unlucky not to pick up a wicket, bowling an excellent opening spell of four overs for only 12 runs.
Niamh Lowry came into the attack to dismiss the dangerous Emma Rayner (7), leaving Bangor in trouble at 22 for 2 from seven overs. Dundrum kept the pressure on Bangor with excellent bowling and fielding to make scoring difficult. Lucy Gunson came into the attack for Dundrum and continued her good form with the ball, picking up two further wickets. In the end, Bangor finished on 70 for 5 from their 20 overs.
In the second innings, Dundrum opened the batting with Niamh Lowry and Joscelyn Wright. Dundrum got off to a flying start as they added 27 runs for the opening wicket inside only four overs. Lowry was dismissed (for the first time in the league this season) for 18 after an excellent delivery by Emma Hutchinson.
However, Darcy Hull joined Wright at the crease and kept the pressure on the Bangor bowlers. They added 43 runs together to take Dundrum to the victory target with over ten overs to spare. Hull finished on 26 not out and Wright finished on 18 not out.
It was an excellent victory for Dundrum, who have been getting better as the season has gone on. Dundrum are a young team with a lot of talent and, on their day, are capable of beating anyone in the league. With more experience under their belt, they will be a difficult team to beat in the coming seasons.
Dundrum will look to continue the momentum as they prepare to host Waringstown second XI in the quarterfinal of the Challenge Plate.
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