WARINGSTOWN Women remain on course for the treble after a hard-fought 16-run win at Fox Lodge in the semi-final of the All-Ireland T20 Cup at Ballymagorry.

The NCU champions were rocked by two early wickets in two balls by Ella Wasson (two for 13) but regrouped and got back on track thanks to opener Amy Caulfield (29) and Naomi Matthews (20).

It was still evenly poised at 77 for 4 in the 13th over, but a match-defining stand of 56 for the fifth wicket between skipper Sophie Hinds – who top-scored with 31 (four fours) and Samantha Todd (25) tilted the balance back in the Mid-Ulster side’s favour as they posted 138 for seven.

The other successful bowlers for the home side were Elle Moore, Mollie Devine and Kara Bates.

Fox Lodge lost opener Elle Wasson first ball, but looked to be on top thanks to a brilliant second-wicket stand between Sarah Black and Mollie Devine – both experienced interprovincial players with the Dragons.

The pair added 66 in ten overs to have the home supporters dreaming of a shock win. 

Black struck four boundaries and the only maximum of the game in a top score of 48, while Devine’s 29-ball 32 included five fours.

Sadly, for Fox Lodge, Waringstown rallied and showed all their nous in cutting off the boundaries, while fielding like dervishes as the required run rate gradually climbed.

The excellent Naomi Matthews (two for 26) accounted for both the dangerous duo, and teenager Penny Speer bowled a superb spell, conceding just 13 runs in her four overs while picking up the wicket of Elle Moore.

Hannah McLaughlin (17) struck a few defiant blows in a losing cause as the hosts finished on 116 for six.

“It was a close match but delighted to get the win,” said Waringstown captain Sophie Hinds afterwards.

“We love coming up here to the North West as the track is always good. Our batters did well to get us to 138 after a bit of an initial struggle with those early wickets.

“I’ll always back our bowlers to defend any score, and allied with a great fielding effort meant we  really stuck to the task well and squeezed them. Thankfully, we got the win in the end.”

It promises to be an exciting end to the season for Waringstown, who after winning the NCU Cup last week, now have a Premiership decider coming up against Holywood, followed by an All-Ireland decider against Leinster kingpins Merrion.

“It’s going to be a great occasion to finish our season with another final. It’s fantastic that it’s at Stormont this year, having travelled down to Phoenix last year. We know it will be very tough against Merrion who have won the competition twice before.”

The final at Stormont will take place on Sunday August 31st.