Falkland won the toss and elected to field.

On an overcast evening the girls arrived looking to continue our winning momentum.

Millie took the first over looking to get an early breakthrough, probing their openers. Isabel joined the attack with a clean bowled wicket on her fourth ball and then combined with captain Grace for a run out on the last ball of the over. Mya was up next fizzing the ball down and the batters were looking worried and rightly so as Abigail took a wicket with her first ball in the following over! The girls were demonstrating aggressive intent and after the pair swapped out Newbury CC were on 199-3 from their start of 200 - an electric start from our girls!

The next pair arrived at the crease to Els thundering down at them. The girls were fielding well and putting pressure on runs between the wicket.

Liv nearly secured a run out on her third ball but the batters just made their ground. A skied shot from Lucy’s bowling dropped agonisingly short of Mya at short fine leg which was then repeated a few bowls later! Newbury were on the ropes and we hoped Hope would take advantage in her over. She duly did as the batters scampered for a single and Abigail got the ball to Katherine who whipped the bails off. A quick check between the umpires and it was given. Next ball was a clean bowl for Hope and the batting pair retired after their allotted overs. 213-5.

Grace wanted back into the action and she caught 2 edges before whistling one just over the bails. Millie returned with a near perfect Yorker before getting one through the gate to take middle stump the following ball. Liv then tempted the batter first ball of her over and Katherine took the catch, everyone wanted in on the wickets. This was a lesson in measured bowling and fielding and another run out was appealed but not given. The pitch was variable with many staying low and the rogue bouncer carrying through. Isabel took her third wicket and second clean bowl before swapping bowling for wicket keeping.

After Maya’s over they were 218-8 and Hope soon reduced them to 9 on her 5th ball. Fresh from her wicketkeeping duty, Katherine took the ball and nearly joined the group with a flashed shot which nearly carried to Grace at mid off. She did join the group on her second over with a wicket first ball! Followed by a run out 4th ball as Lucy struck with a direct hit from mid on. Grace took the penultimate over, clipping the bails with her second ball and a run out on her third from Hope’s throw to Isabel who was well placed to stump the Newbury batter.

Lucy bowled the final over with a second ball wicket and Newbury finished on 205-14 after 20 overs. A masterclass in bowling from the girls taking 14 wickets between them!

Grace and Abigail opened the batting for us with Grace quickly off the mark pulling a 4 to deep midwicket. A well struck 2 from Abigail before a slower ball took her wicket. A questionable call led to a run out and we looked like we were making hasty decisions when we had plenty of time and batters. This was about gaining valuable batting and game management experience with a total of 6 needed for a win. Grace was bowled going for a big hit before then smashing a beautiful 4. The pair finished on 205-4

Isabel & Millie were next up, with a brilliant pull shot from Millie for 4 and then Isabel was caught and bowled. This pair were running hard and put on 25 in their partnership.

Mya and Liv were in and Mya was dropped first ball from a punched drive! Liv then flicked one off her pads for 4 to square leg. Next over, one stayed low and bowled Liv before another tight run out decision went against us. 15 for the pair and we were 245-7.

Hope and Els came in, taking a single before a well flighted delivery beat Els. She soon responded with a 4 to the longest boundary on the Wilson Carlisle Ground. Hope was hitting the ball sweetly but Newbury’s fielders were in the right place to stop a boundary each time. A sweep from Hope finally brought up a 4 followed swiftly by another. 22 from the pair.

The final pair in were Katherine & Lucy as the light began to dim, we had 4 overs to make hay and not do anything silly! They’d listened to us and batted sensibly, taking singles and making safe doubles to steer us home with only one more wicket lost!

Best bowler: Liv
Best batter: Hope

Four wins from four! Lots of learning points for us, sliding the bat in (still), running in the knowledge it may not reach the boundary but also an understanding of game management.

Well done Pink Army, thanks to the supporters who braved a slightly chilly evening and to Will & Ross for umpiring and scoring respectively.

Match Report - Matt Percy