Match Reports

Junior Cup Final - 08 August 2010

The Ladies Seconds fell at the final hurdle in their bid to win the Junior Cup.

The Hills are an exceptionally good team in the field and with the bat. They won comprehensively and thoroughly deserved their victory.

Pembroke had beaten The Hills in the league, but the tables were well and truly turned this time round.

Aíne Gallagher played a fine innings, but unfortunately the excellent Hills' bowling meant that wickets fell frequently at the other end. A final total of 69 for 8 from 20 overs was well short of a defendable total.

The Hills' opening partnership took to the Pembroke bowling and the total was reached in the 12th over for the loss only one wicket.

The Pembroke Ladies, despite the situation deteriorating through the game, never let their heads fall and continued to give their all defending the indefensible. Their delight at taking the one wicket to fall was evident and reflected in the delight their supporters on the sideline showed. A fine catch on the boundary, which may have only delayed the inevitable defeat briefly, by Marion Richardson (i think) demostrated that these girls can play in a spirit sadly lacking in many "teams" and not only when things are going well. The Ladies Seconds, led by Mary O'Dwyer, would certainly be my nomination for team of the year (if such an award existed).

Sadly after Friday night's Tillian Cup defeat for the Seconds and this defeat the Club's only chance of a cup this year is in next Sunday's Junior Cup Final. The Men's Fifth XI take on Knockharley. If you can make it to Merrion C.C. your support would be most welcome.

Leinster fall to make it 9 from 9 - 12 July 2010

Nine from nine, the Ladies Seconds march on. Leinster again provided the opposition, this time in Observatory Lane. Becca Gallagher sent this SMS to The Fox's Henhouse... "Yipeedy do da dey....... 9 in a row!! Batted first, scored 129 for 7, jackie (McDowell) 39 becca (Gallagher) 20*, aine (Gallagher) and paula (Fitzpatrick?) 11 each! Rained for entire second innings, kept them to 96 off 20 for 4......becca 2-14, aine 2-20....... as usual great team effort in the field! All good!"

Cup Final reached, crowds required... - 05 July 2010

August 7, Observatory Lane, Junior Cup Final, Ladies Seconds, MASSIVE SUPPORT REQUIRED.

If any team in Pembroke Cricket Club deserves the full support of the members, it is Mary O'Dwyer and her Second XI. Unbeaten all season, 8 wins from 8 games.

Tonight in Sydney Parade they dispatched North Kildare in the Junior Cup Semi-final, as a team. Every player supported, backed and gave her all for every other, all the time. The batsmen called and ran everything they thought possible, rarely was anyone sent back. Trust was paramount, if you were called you ran. Loose balls were put away, good balls kept out. Batting was done in partnerships. Each bat made her mark with Susan Ryan and Mary O'Dwyer being particularly ruthless. Each wicket to fall was welcomed back to the sideline, no matter the score or the method of dismissal. Welcomed back into the fold, by those already out and those waiting to enter the fray to offer their contribution.

At the end of the twenty overs Pembroke had amassed exactly one hundred runs.

North Kildare fancied their chances at 5 an over at the commencement of their innings. The first three wickets all fell as catches to the prowling Captain Mary O'Dwyer at short mid off. Priscilla Pegman patrolled the boundary as efficently as a sheriff on the Mexican/Arizona border. Marion Riordan saved many runs as Urugarian strikers save goals and the entire fielding was top draw.

North Kildare finally fell too far behind the run rate required as the bowlers Susan Ryan, the Gallagher sisters and Bernie Quinn bowled the right ratio of good:bad balls and too many dot balls for the North Kildare side.

Many congratulations to the Ladies Seconds and if you have a chance to watch one game this season I urge you to make it the final. You will see cricket being played for the joy.

Leinster - away - 02 July 2010

The players of the Ladies Seconds last Tuesday saw the team keep their unbeaten record quite convincingly with a comprehensive victory over Leinster 2's. Batting first Pembroke progressed in second gear, losing wickets, but steadily accumulating runs. However with Susan Ryan and Nikki Symons together Pembroke rapidly changed into top gear. Nikki, in particular was very punishing on Leinster's bowlers, with Susan providing the support necessary. Nikki scored 66* including one enormous six into the Park Avenue gardens. No less an expert than Billy Dwyer proclaimed it to be the largest he had seen. Nikki has now scored 330 fantasy points with 236 runs.

From their 20 overs Pembroke made 142, which meant that Leinster had a mountain to climb. The steepness of the climb was not made any easier by the tight accurate bowling of Aíne and Becca Gallagher....

6 from 6 - the fairytale continues - 16 June 2010

Merrion were the latest team to fall beneath the wheels of the Ladies Seconds juggernaut tonight in Anglesey Road.

Pembroke batted first and made 108. Top scorer Jackie McDowell made an invaluable 39 and the total was boosted by "Fun & Games" Champion Aíne Gallagher's 29. Skipper Mary O'Dwyer scored 20.

Merrion were then restricted to 100 for 5 as Becca Gallagher took 3/20 and Bernie Quinn 1/30.

A win by 8 runs means the unbeaten Seconds just keep on going with only the sweet taste of victory savoured so far this season.

Rush at Sydney Parade fall to Ladies Seconds - 11 June 2010

46 runs for Nikki Symons in an opening partnership of 74 with Aíne Gallagher (24) laid the foundations for a good Pembroke win on Friday night in front of a disappointing crowd.

Despite the openers putting on 74 the final total of 100 will be below what Skipper Mary O'Dywer would have hoped for. But a fine fielding and bowling performance saw Rush fall out runs short with one wicket remaining.

Aíne Gallagher followed her batting with four wickets making it onto the Honours Board. S. Ryan and Nikki Symons both took 2 wickets whilst Becca Gallagher took the other.

Rush were never allowed to keep up with the required rate and another win for Pembroke means the team can move forward with confidence, although in an ideal world the batting order will fully fire.

Mary's team play with joy and fun throughout and deserve better support in the future.

"Great win and character shown by Pembroke Ladies 2nds v The Hills tonight!" - 01 June 2010

Ciara Metcalfe writes via Facebook...
Nikki Symmons got 99 in a great game in The Hills tonight. Skipper Mary O'Dwyer scored 17, whilst there were contributions from others.
The Hills then made 131 for 5 and Jackie McDowell took 1 for 17 off five overs. The fielding display was AWESOME with everyone diving around, throwing themselves in front of everything. Aine Gallagher took 1/41, Nikki followed up her innings with 1/46 and Becca Gallagher 0/24. The Hills finished just three short.

Pembroke pressure pays off in Cup game - 19 May 2010

The Seconds made their second trip of a fledgling campaign to Malahide on Wednesday night.

Pembroke only managed to score 76, which ordinarily would not be a defendable total. But this team is rapidly proving they are not an ordinary team. Malahide could total no more than 69 in a great fielding display and an all round team performance.

The Seconds remain unbeaten.

Malahide - Away - 13 May 2010

Two games.. Two wins.... The Ladies Seconds went to Malahide on Tuesday night, missing the Financial General Meeting, but gaining a win.

The Ladies Seconds headed to north County Dublin on last Tuesday evening to take on the might of Malahide in a Division 2 game. Winning the toss Pembroke chose to bat first and despite the early loss of Becca Gallagher for 4, captain Mary O'Dwyer (33) and newcomer Nicky Daly (28) ensured the Pembroke total was never static. Ingird Heaslip (12) and Nikki Symmons (12) continued to score well before the later order fell without anyone after number 5 making double figures. Malahide still only managed to take 7 wickets as Pembroke posted 124 off their twenty overs.

In reply Malahide came up against some good bowling with Ashling Carthy taking 3/16 off 5 overs and Nikki Symmons 1/21 from 5 also. This coupled with the fielding ensured that Malahide fell 10 runs short of their target and the Seconds kept their unbeaten record.

Two wins from two represents a superb start and there appears to be real talent pushing to get onto the Firsts and also coming through from the Thirds. Come'on the Ladies...

Dublin University - 30 April 2010

The Ladies Seconds recorded their first win in the league this year against the previously undefeated Dublin University last night.

A total of 140 was well beyond the visitors who by the time the light had disappeared had only 2 wickets remaining and conceded defeat rather than returning.

Captain Mary O'Dwyer was most unfortunate being run out backing up as the bowler spilled a simple caught and bowled chance but saw the dropped ball fall onto the stumps. Aine Gallagher scored well for Pembroke and sister Becca Gallagher bowled with her usual control.

A good start for the Seconds, under the watchful eye of Eamonn Fitzpatrick and a sizeable crowd. And a good start to the Friday night cricket evenings.