Women's Hockey: Having found goals hard to come by over the past few weeks in their build-up to the European Nations Cup finals writes Mary Hannigan, the Irish senior side went on a scoring spree in Scotland over the weekend, with seven players sharing nine goals in two matches against the hosts.
The team showed plenty of character in Saturday's full international, fighting back from a 3-1 deficit to gain a 3-3 draw, having lost two players through injury - sweeper Arlene Thompson (whose thumb got in the way of a Scottish short corner strike in the sixth minute) and Linda Caulfield (whose knee was badly bruised after receiving a blow from a stick). Caitriona Carey had levelled for Ireland after they conceded an early goal but Sue Gilmour put the Scots 3-1 up midway through the first half, converting two penalty corners. Kim Mills finished off a superb move to pull a goal back just before half-time and Sarah Kelleher made it 3-3 midway through the second half.
The Irish were, remarkably, 5-0 up by the 37th minute of yesterday's practice match (with two goals from Claire McMahon and one apiece from Rachel Kohler, Mills and Lynsey McVicker). Mary Logue made it 6-1, after Gilmour had pulled one back, before Samantha Judge's 68th minute consolation goal finished the scoring. It was a encouraging weekend for coach Riet Kuper who was further lifted by news that Thompson had not, as feared, broken her thumb. The Pegasus sweeper will miss next weekend's games against the Czech Republic but is hoping to be fit in time for the following Monday and Wednesday's matches against Holland and Belgium in Kampong. The Irish under-18s also had a successful weekend, finishing runners-up to Germany in the Four Nations' tournament in Bremen. After Friday's 3-0 defeat by the hosts Ireland went on to beat Italy 2-0 and Scotland 2-1.
Cricket: After the South African Cricket Academy side won Saturday's one-day international decisively at Castle Avenue, Ireland pulled off a deserved win at Rathmines yesterday, taking the spoils on a faster run-rate, after heavy rain ended play after their opponents had bowled 33 of the allotted 40 overs, the start having been delayed by 90 minutes.
Such a result did not look likely as Ireland batted stolidly, but slowly, up to the 21st over, in reply to the South Africans' total of 207 for eight. But a quick innings of zest and enthusiasm from Jonty Rhodes, whose knock of 32 included three soaring sixes changed all that, and ably abetted by Peter Davy, Ireland's top-scorer, he helped to put on a brisk 48 for the third wicket.
Davy and Rhodes then departed the scene in rapid succession on the last ball of the 27th over and the first delivery of the 28th, respectively. But there was to be no collapse as Angus Dunlop and Barry Archer added 45 runs in their unbeaten fifth wicket stand from the last six overs to achieved a fine victory.
Earlier, as Wade Wingfield hit 94 runs (202 balls, three fours) for South Africa, Greg Molins bowled impressively, to take three for 41, and was well backed up by Kyle McCallan and Archer. Tyron Henderson was the best South African bowler, taking two for 17 off six overs.
