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Skipper’s 67 the highlight of warm-up
Laura Delany’s 67 was the highlight of a performance that saw Ireland’s women take more steps in the right direction despite an 8 wicket defeat against a strong South Africa side.

Ireland’s captain arrived at the crease with the score 7 for 1, before navigating the innings intelligently, consolidating and accelerating. Delany finally lost her wicket in the 43rd over when Luus took a fine catch.
Winning the toss and choosing to bat, Ireland had looked to set a score to chase but the South African bowling made things tough on each new batter. On a gloriously sunny day, they bowled tight lines with the keeper up and by the first drinks break, after 15 overs, Ireland stood at 28/3.

By the second drinks break, after 33 overs, Ireland were 83 for 4 and looking to push on in their final overs. With the help of Delany’s acceleration and a bright cameo of 16 from Amy Kenealy, Ireland posted 158 for 8 off their full allocation.

Ireland almost had South Africa on the back foot immediately on the resumption. A big LBW shout from the very first ball from Kenealy could have been the perfect start. Not out was the decision and instead of a wicket, Kenealy made do with a maiden. The bowlers kept it tight initially before Lee and Wolvaardt began to find the boundary.

Shauna Kavanagh came into the attack and took two quick wickets in successive overs but there was to be no comeback for the women in green on this occasion. An unbeaten 57 from Wolvaardt and an unbeaten 47 from Du Preez saw South Africa home by eight wickets with time to spare.

This was a strong showing from South Africa but it is obvious that with every game played this young Irish team is gaining valuable experience of international competition. They start the Quadrangular Tournament proper on Sunday against India.

at Potchefstroom (Uni 2), May 4, 2017
Ireland Women 157/8 (50.0 ov) L Delany 67, S Kavanagh 25, M Kapp 2-11, S Luus 2-30
South Africa Women 158/2 (27.2 ov) L Wolvaardt 57*, M du Preez 47*, S Kavanagh 2-20, LC Boylan 0-24

South Africa Women won by 8 wickets

Peter Boyd
Laura Delany leads her young team in South Africa
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Connaught