On a crisp sunny morning in Slough we gathered for the final game of the season, 1st vs 2nd. Having already been postponed and with a time change we were grateful for our squad depth as half our team were now unable to play. Slough also have a formidable squad, boasting Berkshire county's opening bowlers, so this was not going to be an easy match. Lucy opened the bowling with probing balls, giving the batters plenty to think about.

Izzy G then came into the attack with a pace filled over accurately targeting the stumps.

Lucy then returned for a second spell before Maggie took the ball. All our girls were bowling well, but Slough were picking off the wider balls and hitting boundaries. Support and encouragement on the pitch from our girls was at its finest, we just needed that first wicket.

Els came into bowl just as their first batter retired having faced her 20 balls, Slough had put on 60 after 6 overs.

A huge shout from the boundary as a sound carried and Katherine took the catch but nothing was given. The girls were working hard in the field and putting pressure on the batters with a quick turnaround.

Els was back and facing Slough’s captain and Berkshire’s U15 player who was looking and finding the gaps. Lucy returned for her final over and Slough were 97-0 after 10 overs. As the 100 came up Millie flighted a beauty and took an lbw for our first wicket.

Hope was thrust into the attack next and had what looked like a plum lbw from the boundary but again nothing given.

Millie slowed their run rate down with her next over as we searched for another wicket. Grace’s pace was rotated back in as another batter retired having faced 20.

A good attempt at a run out was then followed the next over with a direct hit from Izzy but the batter had made their ground. With Millie back in we then finally got a run out as Hope scored a direct hit which never looked in doubt from the moment it left her hand. 133-3.

Maggie returned with a clean wicket, having composed herself after being hit for an exquisite 4 after 3 dot balls!

As the clouds gathered Izzy G came back, directing the field and peppering Katherine behind the stumps with fizzing deliveries.

Maggie then took a caught and bowled with her first delivery of the over.

As Slough looked to pile on the runs Hope tempted the batter into skying a shot and Grace held on to it comfortably as the crowd held their breath.

The team had done a great job of securing wickets and slowing the run rate. With Hope bowling we almost had a carbon copy catch, this time it caught Grace on the throat as she went to catch it and we had a pause to check she was ok to carry on.

Els came back for the final over, Katherine hitting the wicket twice with attempted run outs. With the final ball approaching the bails went flying and Els had her wicket! Soon followed by her second wicket with the last ball of the innings! 175 to win, a score we’ve chased down before we just needed the girls to steady their nerves.

Our openers were Lucy and Hope who’d been promoted up the order to give Grace a bit longer to recover from her knock.

First over we lost Lucy to an inside edge which ricocheted off her bat, onto her pad and then stumps. Hope hit a sumptuous 4, flashing her bat hard at a wider ball. Grace then got on to the boundary gang with a drive to deep point. As the girls looked to convert a single a direct hit put paid to Grace.

Following over, a slower straight ball from their pace bowler put paid to Hope who’d knew instantly as she came off she’d been duped by the bowler. 13-3 and not the start we’d planned for. Izzy and Els were looking to steady the ship, resetting before each ball as their pace bowlers continued to rotate.

The pair put on 20 before another slower ball snuck through Els defence. Slough were bowling well and Maggie was in with Izzy. A beautifully guided ball round the corner went for 4 before Izzy hit a consecutive 4 and our 50 was soon up. Izzy retired after her 20 balls and our Player’s player Katherine was in. A ball to her foot trickled onto the stumps and it was an unfortunate wicket to lose. With their spin attack on it soon brought another wicket as Millie was bowled. Izzy returned having already retired. Maggie was showing determination and grit but again a slower straight ball accounted for her. As Izzy had retired she was now last batter standing and had to be bowled, caught or run out. A glancing blow to her helmet meant a quick health check but she was good to go again. Izzy was looking to work the field as Maggie had to run to complete scoring. Izzy was showing true skipper mentality, guiding the ball around the pitch and make sensible decisions. Izzy fell just sort of 50 with both her innings combined. A final score of 85. Just as last year our girls swarmed the batters, congratulating them as if we had won.

Whilst not the result we’d all hoped for our U13 Pink Army have done us proud each and every game. Today there was hope, disappointment, grit, laughter and some tears.

There’s no need for tears. As a squad they’ve put themselves in this cup final position having beaten every team in front of them including today’s opponents. Each squad member has contributed whether in training, matches or from the side lines. Each girl has tried, failed and been lifted by their team mates at one stage or another and their resilience and friendship shines through time after time.

As coaches we couldn’t be prouder of our squad and we know brighter days lie ahead but we’re still unbeaten indoor and outdoor league champions - a feat to look back on with pride. Go well girls

Matt, Ross & Will

Match report - Matt Percy