CONGRATULATIONS to Waringstown Women on completing a second successive NCU cricket league and cup double by landing the title in a 30-run win over nearest challengers Holywood at Seapark.
Coach and club chairman Alan Waite hailed the achievement in a message to the successful players, saying: “You have won 28 out of 30 matches over two years. Two Challenge Cups, two Premier Leagues and two all Ireland finals. An outstanding achievement!
“Today was a great example of team and trying to hang in there when the going is tough. Penny Speer, Nora and Anna put on 30 for the last two wickets. We won by 30 runs! We only bowled four wides in 20 overs!
“Our fielding was much better than last week and when the opportunities came we took them with two great catches. You should all be very proud of what you have achieved. It has been a long season but we have one great occasion to come, a second All Ireland final.
“We need the right balance of rest and training over the next two weeks. Well done everyone.”
Waringstown captain Sophie Hinds reacted: “I was happy when we had put 120 on the board as I knew if our batters were struggling to score on the pitch, it would be the same for Holywood.
“We are all absolutely buzzing having achieved back-to-back doubles. It’s some achievement for this group. We have been together for the past two years and our togetherness and consistency as a group has certainly paid dividends. We and all our coaches have worked hard and it’s great to have that rewarded with trophies.
“They are great to captain as they always give 100 percent. It’s just like playing with your best friends and that togetherness allied with our enjoyment has been key to the success. It’s been really great for the club.
“Although we have a lot of young players coming through, we also have a nice balance with some very experienced players like Amy Caulfield, Charlotte Lyons and Naomi Matthews — who I suppose are relatively young but have played an incredible amount of cricket in that time. The youngsters have really benefitted from playing alongside players of their calibre.
“Penny Speer has been phenomenal with the bowling this year, taking wickets every week with remarkable consistency. She has been a real asset for us and, despite her youth, has shown nerves of steel in pressure situations which is great for a captain to be able to call upon. We were so happy for her today in that as well as her batting she got crucial runs.
“It’s been a remarkable season and it’s great that it’s been a real team effort with everyone chipping in. We were helped by the return of Abbi Harrison from her knee injury, while New Zealander Abigaile Gerken was also a wonderful addition to the squad. They’re wonderful to have around with their enthusiasm and dedication.”
Waringstown now go for the treble in All-Ireland T20 Cup final where they face twice winners Merrion at Stormont on Sunday, August 31.
Result: Waringstown 120 all out, 19.3 overs (Abbi Harrison 44, Penny Speer 23), Holywood 90 all out, 18.1 overs (Rachel Harrison 4-11, Amy Caulfield 3-13) Waringstown won by 30 runs.
The celebrations begin
Sophie Hinds with the trophy
