Isle of Man Women produced a commanding performance against Greece Women in the fourth match of Group B in the Women’s Continental Cup 2026, chasing down a revised target of 53 with remarkable ease. After Greece Women were restricted to 52 in 15 overs, Isle of Man Women raced to 56/1 in just six overs to seal a nine-wicket victory with 84 balls remaining. The result was built around a disciplined bowling effort from the Isle of Man and an aggressive chase led by Libby Moore and Grace Cottier.
Greece Women were put under pressure almost immediately after Adamantia Makri was dismissed for 1 off five balls by Lucy Barnett in the second over. Maria Polimeri and Aggeliki Savvani then attempted to steady the innings, but their partnership did not last long. Savvani fell to Barnett for 1 off three deliveries at 2.2 overs, leaving Greece at 7/2.
Polimeri briefly tried to rebuild the innings and contributed six from 15 balls before Georgina Ford had her caught by Hicks at 5.5 overs. Greece were 19/3 at that stage, and the pressure continued to mount. Aggeliki-Ioanna Argyropoulou then provided the most substantial contribution of the innings, scoring 17 from 36 balls with one four. She first added a small partnership with Polimeri before attempting to stabilise the innings after the early collapse. However, Joanne Hicks eventually removed Argyropoulou at 12.4 overs, with Greece reaching 45/6.
Lydia Katsimari contributed four from eight balls before Hicks claimed her wicket at 8.5 overs, while Sofia-nefeli Georgota was trapped lbw by Hicks for one from five balls at 10.2 overs. Maria-afroditi Vervitsiotis offered a brief resistance with six from eight deliveries at a strike rate of 75.00, but Amelia Griffiths had her caught by Ford. The lower order could not provide the late acceleration Greece needed. Theodora Parisi-mesimeri scored three from six before falling to Hicks at 14.2 overs, while Maria Penna was run out for a duck following a fielding combination involving Rachel Overman and Hicks.
Greece eventually finished on 52 in 15 overs, with Kyriaki Giannola unbeaten without facing a ball. Extras proved significant, contributing 13 runs through five byes, one leg-bye, two no-balls and five wides. Argyropoulou’s 17 was the highest individual score, while Vervitsiotis and Polimeri were the only other Greek batters to reach six.
The Isle of Man Women bowling attack was led brilliantly by Joanne Hicks, who finished with outstanding figures of 4-0-10-5. Her five-wicket haul was the key reason Greece struggled to establish any momentum. Hicks struck repeatedly through the middle and latter stages, dismissing Polimeri, Katsimari, Georgota, Argyropoulou and Parisi-mesimeri.
Georgina Ford also made an important contribution, taking two wickets for nine runs from three overs, although she conceded three wides.
Lucy Barnett opened the bowling effectively, returning figures of 4-0-8-1 at an excellent economy rate of 2.00. Amelia Griffiths bowled one over for four runs and picked up one wicket, while Rachel Overman completed three overs for 15 runs without taking a wicket and also conceded two no-balls. Together, the Isle of Man bowlers kept Greece under sustained pressure, with the fielding unit also contributing through catches and the run-out.
The Isle of Man Women chase began with an early setback when Lucy Barnett was dismissed for four from three balls at 0.3 overs. Barnett struck one four before Adamantia Makri caught her off the bowling of Makri, leaving Isle of Man at 5/1. However, that wicket proved to be little more than a temporary interruption.
Libby Moore joined Grace Cottier at the crease, and the pair completely changed the complexion of the chase. Moore played with confidence and attacked the Greek bowling, smashing three fours in her unbeaten 24 off just 20 balls. Her strike rate of 120.00 ensured that Isle of Man remained comfortably ahead of the required rate.
At the other end, Cottier provided equally aggressive support. She remained unbeaten on 19 from only 15 deliveries, striking three fours and scoring at an impressive strike rate of 126.66. The Moore-Cottier partnership was the defining stand of the match, adding 51 unbeaten runs after Barnett’s early dismissal and taking Isle of Man from 5/1 to 56/1 in only six overs.
Greece tried three bowlers during the chase. Adamantia Makri bowled two overs and conceded 22 runs while taking Barnett’s wicket, while Sofia-nefeli Georgota delivered three overs for 24 runs and finished without a wicket. Maria-afroditi Vervitsiosi bowled one over, conceding 10 runs and also went wicketless. The Greek bowling attack was unable to contain Moore and Cottier, with 9 extras, including two no-balls and seven wides, also adding to the Isle of Man total.
With Moore and Cottier continuing their assault, Isle of Man Women reached 56/1 after only six overs, comfortably surpassing the target of 53. Moore’s unbeaten 24 and Cottier’s unbeaten 19 ensured there was never any serious doubt about the outcome once the pair settled in. The chase was completed with 84 balls remaining, giving Isle of Man Women a convincing nine-wicket victory in the Women’s Continental Cup.
Loves all things female cricket