Ladies suffer title setback

Lurgan Ladies Premier League title hopes took a setback on Sunday when they lost at North Down by 44 runs.

A prolific opening partnership between North Down’s Harrison and Benson gave the home side a solid base for a good score. Harrison retired on 50 and Benson was eventually bowled by Emma McMurray for 44. The Lurgan girls fought back towards the end of the North Down innings with Emma McMurray claiming 3 more wickets in one over to finish with the excellent figures of 4 for 26 in 5 overs. Lois Lyttle and Jane Kilpatrick also took a wicket each as the North Down Ladies set a daunting total of 159 for 6 wkts in their 25 overs.

In reply, Lurgan openers Chloe Neville and Jane Kilpatrick also got off to a great start. However with the run rate set at over 5 an over it was always going to be challenging total to pass and when Chloe Neville was run out for 32 and Jane Kilpatrick caught and bowled by Harrison for 28, the overs began to run out for the rest of the Lurgan girls. Vicki Gardiner scored 10 and Jane Kilpatrick was 8 not out as the Town sides valiant run chase finished on 115 for 5 wickets.