Hi Sandra,

You should be very proud of the way your team played last night, the batting was superb against some of the best bowling you will see this season - I don't think there are any other Div 3 teams with an opening bowler that can bowl quick, in-swinging yorkers so it is a testament to you all that you got your highest score in the Cup. I also think that their top 3 batters would give some of our men's bowlers a lot of trouble never mind the level they are playing at this season. As Mary says, a lot of their players would be playing in higher divisions if Railway had more than one team. I would be very surprised if that team is playing Div 3 next year, so hopefully you won't have to face them in the Cup again!

I'd also like to commend your team on the way they played last nights game, no matter how much pressure was put on our players not one of them complained nor did they show any sign of petulance towards each other or the umpires. As an ex-captain I have always insisted that my players play the game in the right spirit and to be gracious in both victory and defeat and that is something that is very apparent with the Ladies 3rd XI. Cheers
Sean
 

A Huge thank you must also go to our wonderful new player Alison McNamara who stood in as our 12th last night and supported us throughout the game .
Many thanks Alison ! 
cheers
Sandra
 

I agree with Sandra the thirds played with great spirit last night and if some of the Railway girls had been in any other cub they would not be playing third dividion but that is their luck and in fairness to all those who made a difference they have been Railway members a long time.

One thing that I was sorry to see, or not see, was the lack of support for the team from the other ladies teams, apart from those mentioned by Sandra. I know there is a lot of cricket at the moment and we all get fed up with it but even to look in for half an hour for a cup semi final would be nice.

Mary

AND NOW THE MATCH REPORT

__________________________________________________________________________
Well the Ladies 3's were unfortunate not to reach the final of the Minor Cup last night.We were beaten by a very strong Railway CC side.
Railway won the toss and elected to field the first Innings.
Pembroke got 140-9 with top scorers Sharon Gray (27) and Ciara Hughes (41) displaying some wonderful batting.
Railway replied with 144-1 in the 15th over. Despite the strenght of the Railway batsmen every Pembroke player worked hard in the field and should be very proud of putting up a good fight last night.


So girls dont be disheartened about last night - lets take away the positives
> 140 is the highest batting score for the 3's so far in the cup. Well done !
> Ciara Huges - magic sweep with the bat to the legside to get all those 4's, class !
>Sharon wonderful batting as always !
> Aoife unfortunate with that stumping but was wonderful at the wicket and we will get that one the next time.
> Cara, Aileen & Cilla - super bowling against a very strong side. Aileen great to have you back
> Super fielding on the boundary by Caitriona, Karen, Ciara ,Cara & Dawn not to mention Carole at Fine Leg - a rock every time!


Well done again all and lets not lose heart, its onwards and upwards to the next game. Many thanks again to Sean for umpiring , Mary for doing the book, Hen for managing , Becca & Claire for supporting !

Have a great weekend all and please come down and support the Ladies 1's tomorrow playing Leinster at 1pm.

Sandra

 

Match Report: Pembroke Ladies 3’s v Phoenix CC, Phoenix Park , Wed 22nd June

Phoenix won the toss and elected to field. Sharon Gray (10) and Priscilla Pegman (12) opened the batting but wickets fell quiet early and it wasn’t until Carole Cromer found the crease and clocked up a fabulous 36 runs including three 4’s and a 6 in partnership with Ciara Hughes (11) that Phoenix felt the pressure. Caitriona Fitzpatrick (9) was unfortunate to get caught in the last over having defended her wicket so well. Phoenix had us all out (except Dawn) for 116 off 24 .3 overs.
Pembroke fielding in the 2nd Innings was fantastic and every single player gave it 110%.
Ash Carthy was on fire bowling, helping Sharon catch the first wicket in the 4th over and bowling her next in the same over. Wickets fell fast after that from Ash again Sandra (bowled), Aoife ( Run out & Stumping), Sharon (Catch), Carol (Run out). Julie and Priscilla held their own bowling, making it easy for the fielders to get the wickets that would secure our win. Ciara was magnificent on the boundary saving many fours. Karen and Dawn worked hard to keep the singles down around the field .All- round the team work was fantastic.
Pembroke won by 24 Runs and the Head of Cricket for Phoenix declared our own Carole Cromer Player of the Match – well done Carole.
Overall a super start to the season from the Ladies 3’s – well done girls ! 

To the sound of distant horses jumping in the RDS and a posse of fit young Rugby players running around in shorts on the railway side boundary, causing some distraction to the ladies focused on fully on playing cricket and making it another Pembroke win.

Pembroke lost the toss and Phoenix chose to bat first not doubt trying to banish any bad thoughts of the Phoenix home match two weeks earlier, were Pembroke were victorious Phoenix ran up a total of 60 with assistance from Pembroke (think they were missing 'Woof Woof') with a number of drops from Sharon (who finally made a catch on the 3rd attempt) and Jude. Supported by Karen kindly giving them a 4 although the ball had not hit the boundary. But it was a night for the bowlers, with Jude, Aileen and Ash Carthy in flying form. Ash in particular getting 4 wickets doing her new hair do proud,

To the 2nd innings, Sharon 'The Boss' opened the batting with Eileen Wicky Sheehan and with excellent running between the wickets. The target was achieved in 8 overs with Sharon getting 39 not out and Eileen 6 not out. The rest of the team had to console themselves for not getting to bat with Claire's lovely smoked salmon brown bread sandwiches and scones with cream & jam.

Thanks to Danny for umpiring even if it was under false pretenses (thanks Niamh) and to Mary Sharp for helping with the book and clarifying the number of overs that can be bowled.  

 

(1) Fri 16th July Jude Hayward reports: Ladies 3’s Friday evening in Railway – Boxed Black and Blue – literally!!!

 

Not our finest hour and taken somewhat by surprise, the Ladies 3’s were well beaten by a strong Railway side – a side at least made of two Trojan batters and one star bowler not taking anything away from the supporting and impressive roles played by the rest of the Railway team.

 

Scores somewhere in the region of 158 vs 88 from Pembroke. Several Pembroke bashed legs, a bashed hand (thankfully in place of a face!!) several bent and bruised fingers – a call for ice on a warm balmy evening – and not for the Gin and Tonics!!

 

However, let’s focus on the positives of the night – and there were many.

Wickets taken by Sandy, Ash, Jude and an excellent display of wicket keeping from Eileen... moments of bowling and fielding madness intended only to keep her on her toes!

 

First time match appearances from Hannah Senior, supported by friend Hannah Marshall. Hannah S batting late in the match – a rising star at the crease all be it for a brief period – potential indeed – and well up for the challenge. 15 an over for a first time appearance may have been a lot to ask.

 

Ash knocked up a respectable 14 and then supporting the tail end and indeed embarrassing some of the openers and middle order (with the exception of another fine batting display from Eileen (24) holding it all together again!) another first time batting appearance in a match for Claire Gallagher. Heroic and a massive 8 – believe me it was massive on the night, congratulations to Claire for an able display. And to top it all off – with more talking, giggling and supportive (if not a little blue at times!) screaming from Catriona Fitzpatrick – Daddy was a proud. Last woman in now looking at about 70 off the last over and a half...... first ball delivered to Catriona was dismissed to the boundry for a four and a most impressive mid wicket celebration. Second ball dismissed in similar fashion and several additional runs beyond Catriona arrived back to Papa with smiles and more squeals of delight... why don’t we see more of this cricketing Fitzpatrick we wonder?

 

Oh last but not least thanks to the Gallagher family on mass to support – President Billy, Ethna, Becca (with cookies J) and Hen

 

(2) Mon 26th July Sandra Ryan reports:The Ladies 3’s travelled to The Hills last Monday eve.

The Hills won the toss and elected to field first. This suited Pembroke as we only had 9 players.

 

Sharon & Eileen opened the batting but the wickets came quickly for The Hills from a strong and accurate bowling side. Best batting of the night came from Aileen (11) , Jude (15) and Kathryn (10). Catriona Sheridan (6) was unfortunate to get caught on the last ball of the match, having batted very well on her return from injury.

So Pembroke finished the first innings 69-8.

 

The Hills replied with 72-2 after 12 overs. Judith took both wickets and bowled out of her skin. The 11th over was the most entertaining with The Hills only requiring one run to win , Jude's accurate bowling made sure Phoenix had to work hard to get that last run.

 

All in all we did well given we did not have our full team on the night and the opposition were a strong side.

 

Must also mention a welcome return to Niamh Byrne -back playing for the 3’s and fielding well at cover.

 

Despite the loss the hills were alive with the sound of laughter as the game was played in great spirit– a huge thank you to Emmet for travelling to umpire and to Mary Sharp for supporting.

 

(3) Wed 28th July Sandra reports: The Pembroke Ladies were away to Phoenix on Wed night and with a full squad we were determined to make this one a win after our defeat to The Hills on Monday.

 

Phoenix won the toss and elected to bat first. This suited the Ladies 3’s as are our strength and depth lie in our fielding.

 

Jude opened the bowling, smashing the wickets and sending the Phoenix Captain home for a duck. This was the start we all hoped for and lifted those enthusiastic spirits, spurring us on for the rest of the game. Jude took another cracking wicket with her first ball in the third over. From there on in, we kept the runs down with excellent bowling from Jude, Aileen, Sandra & Ash not to mention the superb work by all in the field.

 

Two more wickets were taken – a cool one handed catch by Eileen the wicket keeper and Jude again at mid wicket. Phoenix got 61-4.

 

The 3’s were now on fire going into bat. Sharon Grey & Eileen Sheehan opened the batting and were looking comfortable to take us through until Eileen (11) was bowled out. Catriona Sheridan was unlucky to get run out soon after. Then Nicky Stronge (11) took to the crease and herself and Sharon (33) settled into a great partnership catching the target in the 9th over, Nicky finishing with a convincing boundary 4.

 

Sharon had a great nights batting, clocking up 33 runs, making up for her early dismissal on Monday night at The Hills.

 

This was a great win for the 3’s and a big thank you to Mary Sharp for umpiring, who was highly amused by our continuous appeals!

 

A big thank you must go to Niamh Byrne who stood in while Aileen was on hols to organise the team and continues to do a great job keeping score for the 3’s.

 

C’mon the 3’s ….lets finish the rest of the season on a high!

 

Bereft of accurate match data and detail ... Ash has the score book.. this match report comes more with observation and pride than an extensive fact base!!

North Kildare 10.00am on a Sunday morning ... congratulations to the team for simply showing up on time and in the right location. This is a team of morale and a hearty amount of spirit - most of us still carrying a fair amount of it from the previous night’s activities - play hard and play hard springs to mind. It would appear that the team generally and equally took it's pre match preparation very seriously and shared amonst the members the experience of a very late night, a very early start and deep alcoholic embibment the previous evening ..... Those not included in this piece of commentary - you are by far the wiser people :-)

To the cricket ... the Pembroke batters opened with a show of defiance and strength on a beautiful, sunny, Kildare morning. Despite the imminant threat of rain and a forecast to boot, the sun popped in and out an conditions remained dry for the vast majority of the game. The full batting order was used with the exception of number 11 Jude (me - fantastic, more time to recover!!), honoured, in Aileen's holiday absence, with captaincy for the day, and obviously deep in match day thought, strategy and tactics (well..... jellies, Lucozade and sadly a lack of parecetamol !!)

Notable batting contributions from all - ticking over in runs, flying up and down the wicket with aplomb and grace befitting of the day, the sun and the elegance of the game. Excellent calls and communication all the way through against some seriously accurate and somewhat tricky bowling from N Kildare. Highest run total from Eileen on 32 - followed closely by Marion on 28 and some excellent partnerships holding the overs and keeping the order alive for the full 20. All to be applauded for doing just exactly what was required on the day!!!!

A notable tally of 113 runs achieved - first time this season breaking 100 and 2 runs ahead of the target set... Cilla promised cartwheels at 110 - I missed them; although was worried of the prospect of her throwing herself upside down - on only 3 hours sleep and a vertatable consumption of soft drink cocktails, turkey sandwiches and jellies that morning.

And to the field - 4 Bowlers used and once again a gritty team performance fielding close and long to hold the runs total down against a more than compatent and solid set of bats women offered by North Kildare. A lot to do - Ciara, Karen, Kathryn, Jen, Cilla Sharon coraling the ropes and holding the deep field and boundaries. Marion, Ash, Eileen bossing the wicket. Susan bowling the lion’s share, took 3 wickets, bowled and caught two in a quite dramatic diving style, no other catches in the field today but two more wickets pinched by Jude and overs bowled by Ash and Jen supported a successful session "rolling the arm". Eileen stopped everything that came her way, again some excellent contributions from the entire field close in from Marion and a busy day on the leg boundary for the outfield. Well done to Kildare some really good batting and shots placed excellently through the field. A couple of great partnerships that made a really good and tight game of it.

Excitement to beat the band - all coming down to the last over bowled by Susan. Kildare had been consistently knocking out a run per ball in the closing overs and were catching the run total steadily. But they needed to up their pace and rate. A driven and spirited attempt to meet Pembroke's tally, Kildare took risks and lost a batter on the last but one ball. Danny chatting at the wicket missed the last ball and called a wide...premature celebrations calmed - Pembroke were asked to bowl one more time in the only downpour of the match.

Job done ladies ; Kildare finishing on 105. Ladies from the Brook..... delighted!

Thanks to all and another celebrity guest appearance from Ciara Hughes – still refusing to admit cricket is “her” game. Danny and Niamh... again... you rock!

Jude (facts to be verified but close enough for the report!!)
 

 

 

 

 

Clontarf away

Sandra Ryan reports...

The Ladies Thirds travelled to Clontarf last Thurs eve to play their first league game of the season.
Clontarf won the toss and chose to bat first. They very kindly provided a sub fielder for Pembroke who were one short due to an injury at the last minute.

Pembroke showed plenty of spirit and enthusiasm in the field with great encouragement from Captain Aileen and plenty of “Cmon Girls” from Eileen who had her work cut out wicket keeping but let nothing passed her.
It was a first Pembroke game for new members Sharon Gray and Noirin Feighery who made a great contribution out field. Great too to have Clare Gallagher and Katryn Fusco back for the opening game.
Bernie Quinn bowled very well (0/37) and was unlucky not to get a wicket.
Clontarf were a strong side clocking up 46 runs before the first wicket came with a great stumping by Ash McCarthy .The only other wicket was a stumping by Sandra Ryan assisted by Aileen Fitzpatricks excellent fielding. Clontarf finished 176-2.

There was some mid game drama in the first innings with a Munster & Leinster collision in the field – Eileen & Sandra both ran enthusiastically for the same ball , collided and missed a catch. Although very winded and bruised they dusted themselves down and opened Pembrokes batting with a steady partnership until Eileen (7) got caught with an LBW and later Sandra (8)got bowled out. This followed with three wickets falling in the the 6th over. However Aileen (10) ensured the scores kept clocking up forming an impressive partnership with Bernie Quinn .
When Aileen got caught in a run out Priscilla “ Eye of the Tiger “ Pegman ( or at times the Roar of the Tiger) entered the field and was outstanding with Bernie keeping the Pembroke score going until the last ball of the 2nd innings. Bernie clocked up a super 28 not out and Priscilla was 15 not out – great finish by the girls. Pembrokes total was 74-6
So despite the huge loss we held our heads high knowing we played well against a very strong side but still have a lot of work to do for our cup game next Thurs against Leinster.