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Ireland Women endured a frustrating day in Bath as they succumbed to a narrow defeat before losing their second match to rain.
Kim Garth, in her first match as Ireland captain got off to a fantastic start, winning the toss and then taking two wickets in her first over as Somerset were reduced to 5-3 after the first three overs of the game.

Somerset were under pressure from then on and after ten overs found themselves 36-5 with Robyn Lewis and Laura Delany also in the wickets for Ireland. Somerset did make something of a recovery and finished their 20 overs on 97-7.

Chasing the tricky target, Ireland opened with Cecelia Joyce and Clare Shillington but the loss of four wickets in the first ten overs meant that at the half way stage Ireland were 31-4, still requiring a run-a-ball to win after an excellent bowling display from Somerset.

Kim Garth and Gaby Lewis steadied the ship and cautiously moved towards the target ensuring no more wickets were lost, but with the required rate increasing gradually. Heading into the last five overs the pair needed 45 runs from the final 30 balls.

As they began to accelerate Lewis lost her wicket, bringing Shauna Kavanagh to the crease. Along with Garth, Kavanagh worked hard to bring the target to within reach before she was run out in the final over with 12 required from the final four balls.

Unfortunately it was not to be and Ireland fell short of the target, Somerset winning by nine runs, with Ireland finishing 88-6 from their 20 overs.

The second game of the day saw them taking on Surrey, although rain between the two matches saw the start delayed and the match reduced to just 18 overs per side.

Surrey, batting first got off to a flying start, Ireland clearly struggling with the wet conditions as Surrey made 24-0 in the first three overs. At that point the heavy rain returned and the sides left the field never to return, with the match abandoned shortly after.


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