The 50 over match between Leinster Development and Yorkshire Under 17s took place in The Hills Cricket Club. Losing the toss, Shauna Kavanagh’s Leinster side were put into bat. With a lightening quick outfit and a flat wicket to bat from, Amanda Walker and Emma Flanagan opened the innings for Leinster.

Walker and Flanagan looked to rotate the strike and pierce the field, but two wickets in the same over from R.Childe left the home side 20 for 2 after 7. Unfortunately Leinster could not consolidate, losing quick wickets to be left at 33 for 3. In trying to build a stand, Jennifer Grey offered some patient resistance along with Nikki Symmons who looked to use her pace between the wickets before being bowled by J.Watson for 7. Grey and Valmai Gee looked to consolidate the position at 48 for 4 and started to build the highest partnership of the Leinster innings with22 runs, before Gee was run out for 10. Quick wickets followed and the Rush Conway sisters of Niamh and Clodagh were the final pair at the crease and showed great maturity and patience by playing to their strengths and working the ball for singles and twos using their pace between the wickets. Unfortunately, their partnership drew to a close when Clodagh hit a cover drive straight to the fielder. Leinster were all out for 88 runs off 24.4 overs, with the top score being the extras count of 40.

This was always going to prove to be a tough score to defend on such a good batting track and quick outfield but the girls stuck to the task at hand and showed great character in their attempt to shock the opposition. Niamh Conway and Amy Kenealy opened the bowling for Leinster and Niamh bowled tightly up front encouraging the batters to drive in the hopes of getting an edge to the slips that were waiting. Amy bowled with pace and bounce and was unlucky to have chances drop in between the fielders. Shauna captained well and rotated the bowling in the hope of finding a break through and it came immediately in the 6th over from Hannah de Burgh Whyte bowling L.Wilson for 5. Clodagh Conway replaced her sister at the Pavilion end and bowled a threatening line and length and was rewarded with the wicket of. H. Craig (15) caught be Kavanagh in cover. However, the run total was never going to be enough and with some beautiful shots including nine boundaries, J. Watson (49* from 39 balls) guided Yorkshire to a victory with only two wickets down in the 12th over.

A disappointing start to Leinsters campaign ended in some harsh lessons. If Leinster were to show their true potential and talent, they would have to come out a fighting and determined side for the next match which was a Twenty20 in Civil Service on Tuesday 27th July.

Many thanks have to go to The Hills ground and catering staff for a wonder event. Thanks also to Willie Dwyer who was match manager on the day, along with the official umpires and scorers.

Leinster Development 88 all out 24.4 overs

Yorkshire U 17's 89 for 2 in 11.5 overs

Yorkshire won by 8 wickets