The first league tournament was organised by the TRNC ladies of North Cyprus at the football ground in Bellapais; a ground with amazing views but an extremely slippery pitch.

After a road trip from Limassol the Limassol Ladies picked up the Sri Lankan Ladies at the border crossing and we all arrived in time to watch the last 12 overs of the men’s leagues match and do some warming up.

After that match was finished it was the Sri Lankan Ladies against the TRNC ladies. The Sri Lankan Ladies won the toss and started batting first.

The first pair batting reached 12 runs before a run out and a bowled. The final score was 233 (as counting started at 200).

Up next for batting were the TRNC ladies. The first pair held their ground and did not get out, which is quite an achievement as the bowling of the Sri Lankan ladies is very fast. The next two pairs were trying to catch up on the score but sadly got 3 outs by being bowled out and a run out. Their final score was 219.

Pressed for time as the next 40 over men’s league game needed to start, after a short break it was the Limassol Ladies against the Sri Lankan ladies. The Limassol Ladies had to borrow a player from the Sri Lankan team as they only had 5 Ladies to start with. Now the team was a truly United Nations team as it consisted of Ladies from Sri Lanka, India, the UK, Russia and Holland.

Limassol started batting and after 3 outs and 6 overs only managed 203. The fast bowling Sri Lankan ladies were a bit too much to handle to be able to score many runs. It was a good practice for the defence shots well practised during training.

There was also not much of an answer to the many fours that the Sri Lankan ladies were hitting and their final score was 248.

Again a short break and straight into the next game.

Limassol started batting against the TRNC ladies and made an impressive total of 232 runs.

Up next to defend the wickets were the TRNC ladies. It was a close game with a score of 228 with 2 balls remaining. Sadly the one but last ball was a drop catch with the ball hobbling over the line of the field. Equal score. One ball and one run remaining to win the match. The TRNC gave it all and managed to do just that.

Final score of the tournament:

Sri Lankan Ladies: 2

TRNC Ladies: 1

Limassol Ladies: 0