Salute the Champions
Lurgan Ladies Premier League winning team with coach Derek Heasley
Ladies clinch Premier League title
Lurgan Ladies have clinched the NCU Premier League title with an unbeaten run that culminated with a 46 run win at Muckamore on Sunday. The defeat of CSNI by local rivals Waringstown means that the Lurgan girls cannot now be caught and have emerged champions with two games to spare.
In Sunday’s game, another undefeated half century by Hannah Grieve paved the way for a formidable 161 for 8 wkts in their 25 overs. Although losing their first 3 wickets with only 23 runs on the board, a fourth wicket partnership of
47 between Hannah and Jane Kilpatrick put Lurgan back in control of the game. An excellent 28 from Suzi McCollum along with a very useful 15 from Alex Craig towards the end of the innings set the home side a tough target to chase.
In reply, a second wicket partnership of 47 between Muckamore’s Lyness and Morrison meant that the home side were still in with a chance while they had wickets in hand. Lyness went on to make an undefeated 50 but the Lurgan bowlers were keeping the runs down and Muckamore kept falling further behind the run rate. At the end, 115 was 46 runs short of the Lurgan target and when news filtered through of CSNI’s defeat, celebrations could begin. Jane Kilpatrick was the most successful of an excellent bowling attack, taking 3 for 24 in her 5 overs while Lauren Breakey claimed 2 wkts for 23 runs. Hannah Grieve conceded only 13 runs in and there were good spells from Suzi McCollum (0-25) and Sarah McCallan (0 for 32) all off 5 overs.
Under the coaching of former Irish international Derek Heasley and the management of Sandra Grieve, the Lurgan girls have a chance to complete a league and cup double when they play North Down in the NCU Challenge Cup final to be held at Pollock Park on Sunday 27th August where there will hopefully be a good crowd to cheer on the team.
