
Amy Hunter takes centre stage with fine century as Dragons storm past Typhoons
The Belfast teenager was at her inventive best, displaying her full repertoire of shots in a wonderful 106 from 96 balls that included 10 boundaries.
Hunter shared a third wicket stand of 102 in 18 overs with fellow international Arlene Kelly – who hit five fours in a breezy 41 – and a further 82 for the fifth wicket with Bready all-rounder Alana Dalzell (33) in a Dragons total of 233 for six in 39 overs.
Further rain meant the target was adjusted twice, leaving the visitors a challenging 198 in 26 overs.
Former Ireland captain Laura Delany top-scored with 48 in the chase, while there were runs too for opener Annabel Squires (46) and Leah Paul (22).
However, the required rate kept climbing, and two wickets for New Zealander Bella Armstrong ensured the Typhoons fell 19 runs short.
The win takes the predominantly Ulster-based Dragons to the top of the table ahead of the Scorchers and Typhoons, who meet next up in Co Wicklow.
Meanwhile, in the NCU Women's Premiership, Holywood remain unbeaten after a 65-run DLS victory against CSNI at Seapark.
Lara Maritz made it two centuries in seven days as the currently out-of-favour Irish international sent yet another message to the selectors with a brilliant unbeaten 101 from just 68 deliveries – 17 fours and one maximum.
She dominated a third wicket partnership of 124 in just 10 overs with Erin Bond (23no) as the Seapark side racked up 192 in 20 overs.
CSNI were never in contention, struggling to 74 for five in 15 overs – captain Jemma Gillan top-scoring with 20 – before heavy rain forced the players from the field. Alexandra Atkinson with two wickets was the pick of the Holywood attack.
Waringstown are top after they made it four wins from four with a thumping 174-run victory against Muckamore.
Amy Caulfield (33) and Sophie Hinds (29) shared an opening stand of 71 to lay the perfect platform for Charlotte Lyons and Abigaile Gerken. The pair scored half-centuries in a third wicket stand of 119 in 11.2 overs to take them to a daunting 200 for three.
Penny Speer then took four wickets as Muckamore were rolled over for just 26 – two wickets apiece for Lyons and Naomi Matthews.
There was no play in the Lisburn versus North Down game scheduled for Wallace Park.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Prague pencilled in for Criterion comeback
The son of Galileo has been a real hit for the Newmarket-based South African since his 10,000 guineas transfer from Ballydoyle in October 2023 and after being ruled-out of Group One action at Newbury with a high temperature, Cunha deciding against a mooted run at Epsom this weekend in preference of a trip to the Knavesmire for a race switched north from Newmarket. Cunha said: 'He's good and he only missed three days work basically, but I think the timing of it was a blessing in disguise and he looks better than ever now. 'He will probably go for the Group Three Criterion at York on June 28, that will be his starter. 'We looked at the Diomed at Epsom, but it was just too soon. He missed those three days and then we obviously brought him back slowly for a week and there is no point rushing him as he's too good a horse. 'To me he has improved loads since and he has just turned a corner. Maybe he wasn't ready for it (Newbury) and everything happens for a reason, so I'm quite excited to get him up to York.' Prague's finest hour came in Newmarket's Joel Stakes last September with that Group Two event on the Rowley Mile the five-year-old's long-term aim once again, with Cunha also having no regrets about forgoing a trip to Royal Ascot for a stellar Queen Anne Stakes later this month. Prague added: 'After York he will probably go to back to Haydock for the Superior Mile he was second in last year and then for the Joel Stakes he won, that is the plan at the moment. 'I think going to Ascot would have been mad and barring Frankel's renewal, I think this is the best Queen Anne I've seen, it looks a proper race. It will be a good spectacle and I would rather be watching with a glass of champagne in my hands than having a runner that's an outsider.'

Leader Live
3 hours ago
- Leader Live
Rogue Legend poised to join growing Resolute Racing squad
Paddy Twomey's two-year-old has won twice since narrowly beaten on debut and was impressive in the silks of the Rogues Gallery syndicate – who will be represented by James Owen's Rogue Impact in the Betfred Derby on Saturday – in a hot race at Cork recently. However, Rogue Legend will sport the colours of the American operation at the Royal meeting, pending blood test results which are expected to be confirmed early next week. Stewart said: 'I was impressed with his recent performance on the track and plan to run him in one of the two-year-old sprint races at Royal Ascot. We will enter him in all of them and then pick the race. 'With a Timeform rating of 104 he is one of the top two-year-old sprint horses in Europe and I expect for him to be very competitive.' Stewart has previously stated his ambition to make Resolute Racing a force on the world stage and last year acquired the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained Goliath after his victory in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. The American was the source of conversation on X last week when inadvertently suggesting he had struck a deal to purchase Richard Hannon's Queen Anne hope Rosallion. But he instead continues his association with Twomey having previously recruited Irish 1,000 Guineas runner-up A Lilac Rolla from the Irish handler, with the four-year-old poised to make her first appearance for Bill Mott in Saturday's Just A Game Stakes at Saratoga.


South Wales Guardian
4 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Botti savouring ‘special day' with Italian Derby hero Molveno
Having seen his father Alduino, his uncle Giuseppe and his brother Stefano enjoy multiple victories in the Capannelle Classic, the Newmarket-based trainer was thrilled to get his name on the roll of honour, with fellow Italian Marco Ghiani in the saddle. Botti said: 'We had a nice dinner with the jockey and his family last night and it was great. 'For us the Italian Derby means a lot. My dad won it a few times, as has my brother, so he couldn't be too upset finishing second and third this year! 'It was a great ride and I thought the horse was very brave. At one point I thought he'd slipped a little bit too far back in a field, but he actually picked up well in the straight.' Molveno won three times on the all-weather during the winter and was last seen filling the runner-up spot in a handicap over Newmarket's Rowley Mile. He faced a hike in class and distance in Rome, but Botti was confident his charge had what it took to make his presence felt. 'I always thought the extra three furlongs shouldn't be an issue. After his last run at Newmarket we thought we'd step up in trip and I said to the owner, who is Italian-based, if you want to go for the Italian Derby I wouldn't be against it,' he added. 'He loves fast ground. I know with his form you wondered whether he'd be good enough or not, but I've bought a few horses for my brother rated 90/95 who have been competitive, so we said we'd take a chance and it worked out quite well. 'I'm sure it was special for Marco as well. It was his first Group Two winner, he was born in Italy and his parents were there, so it was a special day for sure.' Molveno looks set to enjoy a short break following his Italian heroics before being campaigned abroad later in the year. Botti said: 'Having won a Group Two it will be really tough for him in England and as he travelled so well and likes fast ground, I think we'll campaign him more in the second half of the season in a few races maybe in Qatar and Bahrain and places like that. 'I think that's what we'll do. He deserves a break now as it's a long way to Rome, so we'll freshen him up and get him ready for the second part of the season.'