Bready retain Senior Women’s league title

Alana Dalzell duly picked up the Senior Women’s league trophy on Monday night after the Magheramason side beat Eglinton by 14 runs to make it eight wins out of eight for the new champions. 

Bready have been irresistible in the title race and despite coming up a little short with the bat against Eglinton on Monday night they were able to defend their total of 98-8 to keep their record intact.

Cody Wallace top scored with 21 not out with Millie Spence (19) and Mansi Bhavsar (15) the others to contribute to the total.

Jenni Jackson bowled well for her 3-17 from 4 overs, however the villagers battled hard in reply.

Zara Craig made 26, Lucy Carmichael 16 and Tasha Simmons 14 to keep the visitors in the hunt, however Cody (4-19) and Charlie Scott (2-7) kept Bready in front as Eglinton closed on 84 all out.

Speaking after collecting the trophy from Joanne McLaughlin, Alana was full of praise for the younger members of her squad who had stepped up when they were needed.

“It’s been a fantastic season for us- unbeaten in the league so far and getting to the cup final despite long-term injuries to several of the girls.

“We had to promote a few of the underage players and they have been brilliant.

“There’s a lot of really good work going on and credit to Hammy (Trevor Hamilton) for everything he has put in over the past few seasons.

“The girls coming through will benefit from playing in the senior league and hopefully over the next four or five years they will become the next generation of senior players at the club.”

In the night’s other two games- Fox Lodge cemented second place in the table with a 91-run success against Strabane.

Mollie Devine hit 10 fours and 2 sixes in her 76- sharing in a 140-run second wicket stand with Lucy Neely who made 67 (4 fours, 4 sixes) as the Foxies set a target of 183-4.

Chloe Deans (2-29) was the pick of the Red Caps’ bowling and although Emma Doherty batted really well for her 37 not out, Mollie’s 2-3 from 4 overs and Kara Bates (2-19) restricted the reply to 92-6.

Coleraine beat Bonds Glen by 8 wickets- Lucy Thompson top scoring with 37 in the Bee Gees total of 110-6; Connie Block (3-16) best with the ball for the home side.

Hannah Skinner (42), Rachel Johnston (22) and Kenya McCartney (18*) combined with the bat to ensure a cosy success for the Bannsiders.