The Women’s Senior Cup quarter-finals all went ahead, albeit shorn of the international players, taking a little gloss off the proceedings. YMCA coped without star performer Gaby Lewis, as they beat Phoenix by 42 runs.

Australian Sophie Strickland hit five boundaries in an unbeaten 62 from 57 balls, adding 55 for the fourth wicket with Kate McEvoy (21) as YM posted 137 for 4. Sarah Forbes also made 21, and she completed a fine all-round match as her 2 for 10 restricted Phoenix to 95 for 4. Nevedha Saravanarajan making 27 not out, and Ali Keenan 23.

YMCA will face Merrion in next week’s semi-final, after they beat Leinster by 37 runs. Celeste Raack making a half century as Merrion posted 163. They then kept Leinster to 126 despite Joanna Loughran’s ffifty.

Closest game of the night was at Pembroke, who survived a real scare to beat The Hills in the last over. Miranda Andres scored an unbeaten 33, while Robyn Searle made a run-a-ball 30 (6 fours) as The Hills scored 123 for 5.

Mary Waldron scored 35 at the top of the order, but when she was dismissed by Naomi Matthews (3-12), the tie was very much in the balance. Mhairi Nicholl (14*) and Anna Beale (12*) getting the Sydney Parade side over the line.

Pembroke will have a home tie in the last four, taking on Clontarf who knocked out Malahide. Anna Kerrison top-scored with 33 as Malahide made 88 for 6 – two wickets for Emma Butler (2-13).

Malahide looked favourites as they reduced Clontarf to 41 for 6 at the half-way stage, before Freya Sargent (24*) and Susan Lawless (11*) added an unbroken 49 for the 7th wicket to seal the win with seven balls left.