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Arthur J Gallagher Women’s Senior Challenge Cup Final
Richard White NCU PRO
UPDATE: Lurgan beat North Down by 5 runs The final will be contested by Lurgan Cricket Club and North Down Cricket Club. The pair has emerged as the last two standing after thirteen sides battled it out for the right to be crowned NCU AJG Women's Challenge Cup Winners 2017. Shane Matthews, Managing Director for Arthur J. Gallagher in Northern Ireland, said, ‘With Challenge Cup holders North Down taking on 2017 League champions Lurgan, Sunday’s final is set to be a seriously competitive and fantastic finale to a great cup campaign for both teams. As a community insurance broker, Gallagher has been proud to continue our sponsorship in 2017 and excited to extend our support this year to the Women’s competition. The NCU Challenge Cup embraces all that is good about pulling together as a team, striving for excellence and showcasing great sportsmanship and our team has thoroughly enjoyed getting out and getting involved to show our support for cricket and the community. Best of luck to Lurgan and North Down!’ Photo Right - Shane Matthews AJG and NCU President Peter McMorran with 2017 League champions Lurgan defeated Laurelvale in the Second Round after receiving a bye in the First Round. Lurgan progressed to the final after a thrilling two wicket win against CSNI in the Semi-Final. Captain Hannah Grieve produced an all-round performance with 37 runs and two wickets. Lurgan captain Hannah Grieve talking about the upcoming Senior Challenge Cup Final said, ‘The girls are very much looking forward to playing in this year’s final and having home advantage will make it even more special. We have had a good league and cup campaign so far, but we know Sunday will be a completely different game and we will not go into it underestimating North Down in any way. They are an experienced side with a lot of strong players making up their core group and we know as a team we will have to be on top form for us to come away with the win. We are looking forward to the occasion and hoping we can complete the double on Sunday.’ 2016 Challenge Cup holders North Down defeated Muckamore by nine wickets in the First Round, and had a comprehensive 73 run victory over Donaghcloney Mill in the Second Round. North Down scored 170 for two wickets with Laura Campbell and Rebecca Neild both scoring 36 not out. A ten wicket victory against Instonians in the Semi-Final will see North Down aim to defend their title. North Down captain Sandi Harrison said, ‘I'm looking forward to playing in the final again this year. Despite us being the current holders, Lurgan have had a very impressive season so far and remain unbeaten, so it's obvious that they go into this game as favourites. However we have been playing well in the last couple of weeks and hopefully we will peak on Sunday. Whatever the result, I'm sure it will be a competitive game and one that the players and spectators will enjoy.’ Cup Final Squads
The Women's Challenge Cup sponsored by AJG is testament to how far Women's cricket in the NCU has developed in recent years. The NCU now has Senior and Junior representative teams with an ever expanding fixture list, and some of those players are also involved in the Irish Super Three Series. Supporters from the participating clubs, and all other cricket followers from across the Northern Cricket Union and beyond will be warmly welcomed to Pollock Park, Lurgan Cricket Club. Photo credits Jonathan Porter / Presseye |
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The 2017 NCU Arthur J Gallagher Women's Challenge Cup Final will be played at Pollock Park, Lurgan (home of Lurgan Cricket Club), on Sunday 27th August (12Noon Start). 