Ireland U19 Women claim dramatic Super Over win

IRELAND Under-19 Women claimed a thrilling Super Over victory against Namibia in their third match of the six-game series, pulling the deficit back to 2-1 after a dramatic finish threatened to deny them a deserved success.

Penny Speer was the hero with the ball, conceding just seven runs in the Super Over before skipper Alice Tector and Niamh Lowry held their nerve to see Ireland home. It was a welcome victory for the Irish youngsters, who have an opportunity to level the series when the sides meet again this afternoon.

Earlier, Ireland had posted 138 for seven, recovering from a disastrous start that saw Rebecca Lowe and Millie Spence dismissed with just seven on the board. Tector counterattacked with 26 from 17 balls, while Aisling Lawlor contributed 19 and Lowry made 27.

However, it was Clontarf's Genevieve Morrissey who provided the backbone of the innings, striking five boundaries in an unbeaten 37 from 29 deliveries. Katy West chipped in with an unbeaten 12 as Ireland finished strongly, despite Wilka Mwatile returning remarkable figures of three for eight.

Namibia's reply looked to be heading for a comfortable Irish victory when the hosts slumped to 40 for four. Lawlor was outstanding, claiming two for nine from three overs, while Lucy Andrews impressed with one for 17.

However, Arrasta Diergaardt (33 not out) and Naomi Benjamin (16) revived the chase before Mwatile launched a spectacular late assault. She smashed an unbeaten 42 from just 17 balls, including three sixes, as Namibia plundered 53 from the final five overs.

The hosts needed 18 from the last over and incredibly managed to tie the scores, Mwatile striking Sophie Bellew for six from the final delivery to force a Super Over.

But the impressive Speer responded superbly before Tector and Lowry completed a memorable victory.

Summary Score: Ireland U19 Women 138/7 (20 overs; G Morrissey 37*, N Lowry 27, A Tector 26, W Mwatile 3-8) tied with Capricorn Eagles A 138/5 (20 overs; W Mwatile 42*, A Diergaardt 33*, A Lawlor 2-9). Ireland won the Super Over. Namibia lead series 2-1.