Richardson stars as Ireland crush Scotland

Ireland Women 86 for 0 (Joyce 41*, Richardson 33*) beat Scotland Women 85 (Richardson 4-10) by 10 wickets
Scorecard

Eimear Richardson's brilliant all-round display ensured Ireland cruised to a comprehensive victory against Scotland in the opening game of the European Women's Championships at the Clontarf Cricket Ground Club in Dublin. Chasing a relatively modest 86 to win, the Irish opening pair of Richardson and Cecelia Joyce knocked off the runs in just 14.3 overs.

Put in to bat, Scotland battled against a tight and impressive Irish bowling display, with captain Kari Anderson top scoring with 29. But her dismissal with the total on 62 for 4, heralded a dramatic collapse. Anderson leg glanced Amy Kenealy to wicketkeeper Valmai Gee, who took a superb catch standing up to the stumps. The same combination accounted for Fiona Urquhart for just a single, before Richardson took centrestage.

The offspinner accounted for Catherine Smaill, Caroline Sweetman, Lynne Dixon and Lorna Jack in quick succession, to finish with the excellent figures of 4 for 10 off her eight overs. Leigh Kasperek (10), was the only other Scottish batsman to reach double figures, before being brilliantly run out by a direct hit from Jill Whelan.

During the chase, Joyce struck some lovely cover drives, and was particularly severe on anything remotely short, striking seven boundaries in her unbeaten 43-ball innings. Richardson was equally impressive, favouring the midwicket areas and finding the ropes regularly as too often the Scotland attack strayed in length and line. Richardson struck six boundaries during her 50-ball stay.