The sixth match of the Cricket Ireland Women’s Super T20 Series 2026 at Oak Hill Cricket Club delivered an entertaining contest as Dragons Women edged past Typhoons Women by eight runs in a closely fought encounter. After opting to bat first, Dragons Women stitched together crucial partnerships throughout the innings before their bowlers held their nerve in the chase to secure an important victory. The contest featured aggressive batting, timely breakthroughs, and a tense finish that kept the momentum swinging between both sides.
Dragons Women began their innings with positive intent, and the opening stand between Sophie Reid and Alana Dalzell immediately put pressure on the Typhoons Women bowling attack. The pair added 51 runs for the first wicket in just 5.5 overs, setting a strong platform for the innings. Dalzell looked particularly fluent during her 35-run knock off 24 balls, smashing seven boundaries at a strike rate of 145.83 before Kia McCartney broke the stand. Sophie Reid continued the momentum with a composed innings of 30 from 25 deliveries, striking four boundaries while rotating the strike effectively.
The breakthrough of Dalzell brought Typhoons Women briefly back into the game, and Orla Prendergast could not make a major impact despite her importance in the middle order. The Dragons skipper managed only seven runs before Aimee Maguire dismissed her, leaving the score at 65/2 in 8.3 overs. However, the innings was rebuilt superbly by Leah Paul, who anchored the batting effort with a classy unbeaten 58 from 36 balls. Her innings was filled with elegant stroke play, including nine boundaries, and she ensured the innings never lost momentum during the middle overs.
Sarah Forbes struggled to accelerate and was dismissed for eight by Aisling Lawlor after adding 24 runs alongside Leah Paul. Yet the finishing touch came from the unbeaten partnership between Leah Paul and Arlene Kelly. Kelly contributed a handy 15 not out from 14 deliveries, helping Dragons Women add valuable late runs. Their unbroken 47-run stand for the fifth wicket pushed the innings beyond the 160-run mark and gave Dragons Women a competitive total of 161/4 in 20 overs.
The Typhoons Women’s bowling effort had mixed fortunes during the innings. Aimee Maguire was the most economical bowler, conceding just 15 runs in her four overs while claiming the important wicket of Orla Prendergast. Ellie McGee and Aisling Lawlor also picked up one wicket each, while Kia McCartney removed Alana Dalzell. Georgina Dempsey endured a difficult outing, conceding 47 runs in her four overs, while Ava Canning leaked 33 runs despite bowling a full spell.
Chasing 162, Typhoons Women started cautiously but lost captain Louise Little early for 12 after Jennifer Jackson provided the breakthrough. Lara Maritz attempted to counterattack with a brisk 20 off 22 balls, including a six, but Lara McBride trapped her lbw as Typhoons slipped to 47/3 in the eighth over. Rebecca Stokell also failed to convert her start, scoring seven before Cara Murray dismissed her.
The middle overs brought Typhoons Women back into the contest through a spirited partnership between Ava Canning and Georgina Dempsey. The duo added 37 runs for the fifth wicket, with Dempsey playing aggressively for her 27 off 18 balls, striking four boundaries at a strike rate of 150. Ava Canning chipped in with 16 runs before Cara Murray removed her at 84/4.
The game’s defining phase arrived when Alice Tector launched a counterattack that nearly turned the chase around completely. Tector played a magnificent unbeaten knock of 43 from only 25 balls, hammering seven boundaries at an impressive strike rate of 172. Alongside Georgina Dempsey, she added a valuable 44-run partnership that revived Typhoons Women’s hopes. However, Lara McBride struck again to dismiss Dempsey, and shortly after, Christina Coulter Reilly departed for seven, leaving the chase hanging in the balance.
Ellie McGee’s 13-ball seven consumed crucial deliveries before Orla Prendergast dismissed her in the penultimate over. Despite Alice Tector remaining unbeaten until the end alongside Aisling Lawlor, Typhoons Women finished on 153/7, falling short by eight runs in a thrilling finish.
The Dragons Women’s bowling attack shared responsibilities effectively. Jennifer Jackson and Cara Murray claimed two wickets each, consistently striking at important moments during the chase. Lara McBride also delivered a crucial spell, taking 2/27 from four overs, including the wickets of Lara Maritz and Georgina Dempsey. Orla Prendergast chipped in with the wicket of Ellie McGee, while Alana Dalzell bowled a disciplined spell despite remaining wicketless.
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