Ladies win Challenge Cup to complete double
Lurgan Ladies added the Challenge Cup to the League Champions Cup after a thrilling 5 run win over North Down in the final at Pollock Park on Sunday to cap a wonderful season. Hannah Grieve led the Lurgan team to victory as the skipper hit yet another superb undefeated half century. The game had to be switched to one of the new artificial wickets at Pollock Park and North Down put the Lurgan girls into bat on winning the toss. Hannah lost opener Chloe Neville for 2 and Sarah McCallan for 2, with just 15 runs on the board. This brought Lauren Breakey to the middle
and the pair batted cautiously at first until 20 runs, including two sixes from Hannah, were plundered off the 11th over of the innings. The pair put on 59 runs for the third wicket with Lauren scoring 10 and Hannah eventually retiring on 52 no setting up the Lurgan team for a total of 107 for 7 wkts in their 20 overs.
Lurgan’s opening bowler Suzi McCollum struck with the third ball of her first over to dismiss North Down opener Harrison LBW for a duck. Hannah Grieve removed Neeld for 4 and Benson was then run out for just 3. An excellent Suzi McCollum catch off the bowling of Jane Kilpatrick saw Lurgan seemingly in control but a 31 run 6th wicket partnership between Clarke and Flanagan brought the visitors back into the game. Although losing wickets regularly, North Down took the game into the final over needing 9 to win. But a wicket from the 2nd ball bowled by Hannah Grieve swung the game in Lurgan’s favour and the captain conceded only 3 runs to bring the trophy to Pollock Park for the first time. Best bowling figures were Jane Kilpatrick’s 2 for 12 off four overs while Suzi McCollum took 2 for 15 off 4 and Hannah Grieve 2 for 22 off 4. Emma McMurray also chipped in with 1 for 11 off 2.
More photos will appear on the gallery page