The 2023 cricket season got underway this morning with the W&Gs side making the trip across the boarders to play Doncaster Town W&Gs in a friendly softball match.
Captain Mercy won the toss and asked the opposition to bat first. A move that reaped instant rewards with Evie opening the bowling taking wickets on her 2nd and 3rd delivery. The 1st, a runout that she fielded herself, hitting the wickets direct and the 2nd clean bowling the Doncaster opener. 2 more wickets fell in the 3rd over, Charlotte striking with her first delivery caught by Katheryn who was making her outdoor debut for the club. 4th wicket was a runout thanks to some great fielding by Alice firing the ball into the bowlers end. After the opening pairs 4 overs the score was 206 for the loss of 4 wickets.
Doncaster’s 2nd pair arrived at the crease and the run rate start to jump striking 4 4s to the short leg side boundary. Bridie bowled the 4th over to the 2nd pair and slowed the run rate taking a well deserved caught and bowled. Score at end of Doncaster’s 2nd pair was 232 for 5 wickets.
Doncaster’s 3rd pair played steady cricket and added a further 12 runs to the score. This was kept in check by Izzy, Evie, Katheryn and Wendy. 2 more wickets falling, a run out off Evie and Wendy inducing the batsman to hit her own stumps. Kudos to Izzy for appealing to guarantee the wicket. Score at end of Doncaster’s 3rd pair was 244 for loss of 7 wickets.
The last pair for Doncaster batted sensibly picking up singles and benefitting from some loose delivered wide balls. No more wickets fell and Doncaster ended there innings on 268 for the loss of 7 wickets. A fantastic effort in the field from all the team.
Clumber opened with Izzy and Evie and after a watchful start the pair settled in picking up singles at will. Evie sticking a lovely boundary through cover point in the pairs last over a highlight. Score after the first 4 overs 226 for the loss of no wickets. A great start ahead of the required run rate. Clumbers 2nd pair were Kathryn and Wendy who played watchfully for the majority of there 4 over stint. Unfortunately Katheryn misjudged a loopy delivery and was bowled in the 2nd over of there stint at the crease. Score at end of our 2nd pair was 230 for the loss of 1 wicket. The game nicely poised at the half way stage.
Our 3rd pair of Charlotte and Dawn got us back on track with 10 from there first over including a fantastic (now trade mark) reverse sweep from Charlotte flying to the short boundary for 4. The ladies continued to make steady progress for the remainder of there time at the crease and were unfortunate to lose a wicket with 3 balls of there innings remaining. Dawn runout. Score at the end of our 3rd pair 248 for 2 wickets.
The stage was set, Clumber requiring 21 for victory.
Our last pair for the day, Mercy and Bridie who went about there business with some ease keeping pace with the required run rate of 5 per over Bridie rotating the strike with clever singles and Mercy once again showing her power hitting a beautiful 4 to the long on boundary. 3 overs down and Clumber were 4 from victory. The last over started with disaster, Mercy misjudging a well bowled delivery being clean bowled. This left the sisters now requiring 9 for victory from 5 deliveries. 2 singles from the next 2 balls meant 7 were needed from the last 3 deliveries. Alas is was not to be with the Doncaster bowler holding her nerve to bowl 3 good dot balls. Clumber finishing 262 for the loss of just 3 wickets, 7 short of victory.
A great prelude to the outdoor season in well fought match that could of ended with either side being victorious.
Positives on the day was some excellent bowling and fielding from all of the Clumber ladies. From a batting perspective only losing 3 wickets showed the progression this group are making. Was also great to see a couple of juniors helping out with the officiating. Sam scoring and Jasper putting his new training to good use and umpiring his first game. Thanks to the boys for giving up there time.