There were five half centuries on a high scoring night in the Leinster Women's Division One matches.

Leah Paul stroked 8 fours in a quickfire 59 from just 49 balls to help Merrion to an imposing 153 for 2 in their match with Leinster.

Paul shared stands of 76 with Rachel Delany (28), and 61 with Isobel Joyce, whose unbeaten 45 occupied just 31 balls (6 fours).

Hannah De Burgh Whyte (2-16) removed both Leinster openers cheaply, and when Irish skipper Laura Delany (20) became the third lbw victim of the evening, things looked bleak.

Una Raymond-Hoey batted well for her 51 (44 balls, 4 fours) sharing a 5th wicket stand of 52 with Sophie McMahon as Leinster finished on 132 for 5 - losing by 21 runs.

Ciara Metcalfe's stint as Hills coach got off to a winning start as they won by 40 runs at North Kildare.

Helped by Kildare's wayward bowling - they conceded an incredible 50 wides - The Hills made 161.

Miranda Andews claimed 4 for 23 as Kildare were dismissed for 121 - Lucy Small making a fine 57.

YMCA were the most emphatic winners of the night, beating Pembroke thanks to a typically belligerent innings from Clare Shillington.

The Irish international crashed 8 fours and cleared the ropes once in an unbeaten 69 from just 44 balls.

She shared an opening stand of 102 with fellow international Gaby Lewis (30) as YMCA raced to the nine wicket win.

Earlier Kim Garth had made an unbeaten 51 in Pembroke's modest total of 113 for 7. New Zealand international Anna Peterson the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 for 22.

There's action in the Super 3 series on Sunday, when reigning champions The Scorchers take on The Typhoons at Merrion (1pm).