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Belfast Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
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.
Belfast Telegraph
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Scorchers burned as record partnership roars Dragons over line in convincing inter-pro victory
Bella Armstrong and Rebecca Lowe's record partnership led the Dragons to a seven-wicket win in the Super Series50 inter-pro at Lisburn. The pair shared a third wicket stand of 221 as they easily chased down what looked like a challenging 275 target set by the Scorchers. Armstrong top-scored with a 120-ball 154 that included 22 fours and two maximums, while Irish Under-19 international Lowe, playing at her home club, hit nine fours in a splendid 88. Earlier, Louise Little made 106 while Ireland captain Gaby Lewis scored 63, but they fell away, losing four wickets for 10 runs with Waringstown leg-spinner Cara Murray taking a five-wicket haul. In the NCU Women's Premiership, Holywood top the table after they won by 55 runs at North Down in a high-scoring game. Lara Maritz thumped 12 fours and cleared the ropes nine times in a hard-hit 52-ball 121 before retiring. The former Irish international added 166 with overseas player Madison Landsman, who made a similarly boundary-laden unbeaten 82 from 41 balls (12 fours, three sixes) in a Holywood total of 223 for one. Kiara Fisher made a spirited 96 not out in the chase, hitting 14 fours and one maximum in her 60-ball innings, but received little support as the Comber side ended on 168 for seven – three wickets for Erin Bond. Waringstown are still unbeaten in second place after they beat CSNI by eight wickets at Stormont. Skipper Jemma Gillan made 41 in a home total of 109 for nine – two wickets apiece for Penny Speer, Rachel Harrison, Abigaile Gerkin and Amy Caulfield. Gillan struck twice in the first over of the chase, but Caulfield (39no) and Sophie Hinds (37*) shared an unbroken third wicket partnership of 104 to seal victory in the 17th over. Muckamore were also eight-wicket winners at home to Lisburn. Joanne Logan took three wickets to restrict Lisburn to 94 for seven, then a run-a-ball unbeaten 30 from Beth McCrea eased them home in the 12th over.
