CRICKET/Women's World Cup qualifying:Ireland's attempt to earn a place in next year's Women's World Cup fell at the feet of a stronger South African side in Stellenbosch yesterday as they went down to a seven-wicket loss in the semi-finals of the qualifiers.
After passing the 300-run mark against Zimbabwe, skipper Heather Whelan again won the toss and put her side in to bat. South Africa's bowling attack proved a much sterner test though, eventually dismissing Ireland for 107.
It was the highest total the hosts had given away all week, Holland's 50 being the next best, while they also bowled a hapless Bermuda side out for just 13 in their opening match.
Malahide opener Caitriona Beggs went in the seventh over, one of three players to be run out in the innings. Six balls later Ireland's chances of posting a good target were dealt a severe blow when tournament top-scorer Isobel Joyce was caught by wicketkeeper Trisha Chetty off the bowling of Alicia Smith for a duck.
Wickets fell at regular intervals after that, with only the robust technique of Cecelia Joyce able to withstand the South African attack.
The Merrion opener carried her bat through the innings to finish unbeaten on 43, with Clare Shillington (13) the only other player to make it to double figures.
Isobel Joyce picked up two wickets in South Africa's chase, but Olivia Anderson's unbeaten 46 helped her side home with more than 22 overs to spare.
Whelan summed her side's mood in the wake of defeat and missing out on a World Cup spot.
"I think everybody is absolutely gutted, we trained so hard for so long in order to try to go to the World Cup in Australia but it's not going to be."
Pakistan claimed the second World Cup place on offer after beating Holland by 94 runs to set up a final tilt at South Africa.
Ireland will hope to finish their week on a high note when they take on the Dutch for third spot.
Scoreboard
WOMEN'S WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS SEMI-FINAL
(Stellenbosch, South Africa)
Ireland won toss and batted
IRELAND
C Joyce not out 43
C Beggs run out 1
I Joyce c Chetty b Smith 0
C Shillington lbw b Devnarain 13
N Coffey c&b Loubser 8
J Whelan c Terblanche b Loubser 0
E Richardson run out 8
H Whelan run out 2
C Metcalfe c Brits b Fritz 6
J Carroll lbw b Smith 0
M Herbert lbw b Benade 1
Extras (lb 5 w 19) 25
Total (all out, 47.4 ovs) ... 107
Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-11, 3-31, 4-42, 5-44, 6-59, 7-69, 8-80, 8-87, 9-87.
Bowling: A Kilowan 5-3-6-0; A Smith 9-2-29-2; D Devnarain 6-0-22-1; S Benade 7.4-2-12-1; S Loubser 10-4-12-2; S Fritz 10-1-21-1.
SOUTH AFRICA
O Anderson not out 46
M Terblanche lbw b I Joyce 6
C Brits lbw b I Joyce 3
S Benade lbw b Metcalfe 15
A Minnie not out 27
Extras (w 10 nb 1) 11
Total (for 3 wkts, 27.4 ovs) ... 108
Did not bat: T Chetty, A Smith, D Devnarain, S Fritz, A Kilowan, S Loubser.
Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-36, 3-74.
Bowling: H Whelan 7-0-25-0; I Joyce 6.4-0-21-2; M Herbert 3-0-15-0; C Metcalfe 7-1-27-1; J Whelan 2-0-7-0; E Richardson 2-0-13-0.
South Africa won by 7 wickets.
