Kildare (Cricket news): A dramatic collapse and a spectacular all round performance by Eimear Richardson was the spotlight in the final two matches of the Arachas Super 20 Trophy at North Kildare Cricket Club today as the Scorchers secured the title.
In the first match of the day, a record low team score of 19 by the Scorchers saw the Typhoons record their first victory of the competition.
Player of the Match Ava Canning claimed 3-9 in a display of danger in swing bowling in very bowler friendly conditions. Not one of the Scorchers batters were able to score in double figures, as the presumptive title winners crashed to just 8-5 after 3.1 overs with Canning finding good support with the ball from Raack (2-8), Laura Delany (2-1) and Maria Kerrison (1-1).
Earlier in the day, Eimear Richardson returned to form as she bowled a 4-21, which included a brilliant diving catch and bowled, as the Typhoons were bundled out for 78 in the 20th over.
Orla Prendergast tried to repair a poor start by her Typhoons side, coming in at 28-2 in the 8th over and striking two sixes in a breezy innings of 19 from 13 balls. Unfortunately her dismissal resulted in the Typhoons losing 6-23 in 8 overs to set the Scorchers just 79 for victory.
The Scorchers used seven bowlers in their bowling attack with Richardson being the stand out. Lara Maritz (2-3), Cara Murray (2-12) and Sophie MacMahon (1-5) made the key breakthroughs, as the side in blue had no answer on a low, slow wicket.
However, what appeared to be an easy victory for the Scorchers ended up anything but, and the Scorchers batting woes resulted in the most unexpected of wins.
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The second match of the day saw a better batting performance by the Scorchers setting the Typhoons a target of 96 for victory. Eimear Richardson scored 38 from 34 balls, supported by stand-in captain and the competition’s top run scorer Leah Paul hitting 23.
Once more the bowlers had the advantage under heavy, grey skies with Celeste Raack (1-11) bowling her leggies with great control in damp conditions, while Mary Waldron made a very rare appearance at the bowling crease. Waldron’s contribution was not with the ball though, but in the field. Standing at mid wicket, Waldron swooped on a pull shot by Richardson and with a sharp direct hit, ended the Scorchers’ top-scorers innings.
Lara Maritz chipped in towards the end with 13*, by then it was the Typhoons who went into the innings break with their tails up.
The Typhoons looked to speed up their innings, despite losing Rebecca Stokell for 8 they found themselves only one wicket down at the halfway mark on 39-1. However, instead of the batters increasing the tempo, it was Lara Maritz with the ball that swung in Scorchers favour. Coming in for her second over, Maritz took the wicket of Delany (15) with a pitched up ball that moved slightly away off the seam, and then two balls later bowled in dangerous Orla Prendergast for a duck.
Mary Waldron (28) looked to finish off the innings, but wickets fell around her with Richardson (4-11) and Sophie MacMahon (3-13) claiming most of the remaining dismissals to end the Typhoons' run chase on 77.
The Scorchers won the Arachas Super 20 Trophy 4-1, with Eimear Richardson named Player of the Match.
