Dragons Women produced a nervy but ultimately successful chase to defeat Typhoons Women by three wickets in match 5 of the Cricket Ireland Women’s Super T20 Series clash at Wicklow on May 24, 2026. In a contest that saw regular wickets fall throughout both innings, Dragons held their composure in key moments to chase down the target with 34 balls remaining. The game featured valuable middle-order contributions, impactful bowling spells, and several momentum shifts that kept the encounter alive until the closing stages.
Typhoons Women endured an early setback after captain Louise Little was run out for just 1 in the opening over, placing immediate pressure on the batting unit. Lara Maritz attempted to rebuild the innings positively and looked composed during her knock of 23 from 22 deliveries, striking four boundaries to keep the scoreboard moving. Alongside Alice Tector, Typhoons slowly settled after the shaky beginning, but Jennifer Jackson removed Tector for 2 to leave the side at 23/2 in 3.1 overs.
Christina Coulter Reilly injected some momentum into the innings with a brisk 10 off 8 balls, including two boundaries, while Maritz continued rotating the strike effectively. The pair briefly steadied the innings before Dragons Women struck again through Arlene Kelly and Lara McBride. Maritz departed for 23 at 36/3, and shortly after, Coulter Reilly also fell following a useful stand in the middle overs.
Typhoons’ struggles deepened when Rebecca Lowe managed only 3 and Joanna Loughran was trapped lbw without scoring by Lara McBride. From a relatively stable position, the innings slipped to 43/5 in 7.2 overs as Dragons tightened their grip through disciplined bowling and sharp fielding efforts.
Ellie McGee and Aimee Maguire then led the recovery phase for Typhoons Women with an important middle-order partnership. McGee scored a patient 21 from 31 balls, while Maguire played the most fluent innings for her side with 30 off 25 deliveries, striking three boundaries at a strike rate of 120. Their stand carried Typhoons beyond the 90-run mark and gave the innings some much-needed respectability after the top-order collapse.
Even as wickets continued to tumble, lower-order contributions proved useful. Darcy Dalwood remained unbeaten on 12 off 11 balls with two boundaries, while Kia McCartney added 4 not out. Their late partnership helped Typhoons Women finish on 119/8 from 20 overs after being in danger of posting a much smaller total earlier in the innings.
Dragons Women shared the bowling responsibilities effectively, with Arlene Kelly and Lara McBride emerging as the standout performers. Both bowlers picked up two wickets each, conceding just 20 and 21 runs respectively in their four-over spells. Cara Murray also impressed with economical figures of 1/19, while Jennifer Jackson chipped in with 1/24. Although Freya Sargent went wicketless, her control in the powerplay helped maintain pressure on the Typhoons batters.
In response, Dragons Women approached the chase aggressively despite losing wickets at regular intervals. Sophie Reid provided a confident start with 26 off 25 deliveries, hitting five boundaries and sharing a rapid opening stand with Alana Dalzell. Dalzell played one of the most explosive knocks of the match, smashing 23 from just 11 balls with three fours and a six at a remarkable strike rate above 200. Their attacking partnership pushed Dragons to 59 before Dalzell was run out in the fifth over.
After the strong start, the Typhoons Women fought back through their bowlers. Sibha Bhoja dismissed Sophie Reid for 26, while Aimee Maguire produced a crucial spell in the middle overs. Orla Prendergast contributed 10, Leah Paul added 11, and Sarah Forbes scored 7, but regular breakthroughs prevented Dragons from cruising comfortably toward the target.
Aimee Maguire emerged as the standout bowler for Typhoons Women, finishing with impressive figures of 3/27 from 3.2 overs. Ellie McGee also delivered an excellent spell, claiming 2/12 in her three overs and helping Typhoons create pressure during the chase. Sibha Bhoja chipped in with a wicket as Dragons slipped from 81/3 to 118/7, briefly opening the door for a dramatic comeback.
Abbi Harrison’s quick 16 from 16 balls proved valuable in the later stages before she became the final wicket to fall. However, Dragons Women had already moved within touching distance of victory, and the lower order calmly completed the chase at 120/7 in 14.2 overs.
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