Falkland won the toss and elected to bat.

On a hot morning in Woodley we gathered ready to push on after last weekends defeat. With Thames Fusion 2 players short our girls gamely offered to help and we rotated our batters to endure the match went ahead.

Thames Fusion struck second ball with a straight ball that stayed low and our captain Izzy was out!

Darcy was in next and we were looking to run sensibly but hard between the wickets. Darcy survived a scare being dropped at mid wicket before the pair started piling on the runs and we were 35-1 off 3 overs. A delay to the proceedings as their fielder misjudged a catch and took one to the eyebrow brought a much needed drinks break. As their player was unable to continue, Izzy G joined Thames Fusion to ensure they had enough fielders!

At the restart Lucy pulled a great 4 to the boundary and the girls then ran 2 on an overthrow - the coaches were pleased as this was something we’d asked the girls to focus on.

Next over Darcy drove a delightful 4 to the boundary at long off. The pair were hitting freely, unfortunately to their teammates who were professionally fielding and saving 4s for Thames Fusion!

Lucy and Darcy both retired on 28 from 25 balls, excellent strike rate. This bought Alexa and Izzy B to the crease. Smart running between the wickets kept the strike rotating and the scoreboard ticking. 88-1 after 10 overs and Thames Fusion swapped their wicketkeeper to help with their bowling. Alexa was looking confident scoring to deep fine leg. Communication between this pair was phenomenal, looking for 2s and the bats were sliding in to the crease, everything we had talked about on Friday night.

The pair brought up our 100 and were looking to score big before retiring, Alexa retired not out on 15 bringing Els in to partner Izzy B.

A straight ball put paid to Els’ innings and Liv was in. 132-2 off 17. The girls set about defending straight balls, running on any extras as the pitch showed signs of wear and pushing our score towards 150. A lofted ball was dispatched for 4 and Izzy B retired not out.

Millie was now in and threaded a beautiful 4 straight back past the bowler and between 2 fielders. Liv and Millie steered us to 149 for 2 off our 20 overs, superb work!

Due to the injury in the first innings we were trying to make up time. Izzy G set the field and Liv opened the bowling beating the bat twice but just drifting over the stumps. Millie was next targeting the stumps and Thames Fusion were struggling to score. Els entered with fierce pace, repeatedly stinging Alexa’s gloves behind the wicket. Darcy’s full toss, on her 3rd ball in accounted for their opener and we were off! Izzy B thundered in next beating the bat each and every time with only 1 off the over. The variable bounce in the pitch was making wickets hard to come by as the girls were hitting the same spot with different results every time. A maiden over from Liv was followed by captain Izzy and then Lucy with a wicket in her second ball. Backing up on the field was excellent and the appreciative groans grew from the supporters as each ball whistled past the stumps. Fielding-wise, Izzy B was hitting the stumps with ease from long stop but their batters were just making the crease. She then tried to force the issue with her second over to no avail before taking her place behind the stumps. Lucy returned with an instant impact bowling their batters before Alexa and Lucy combined for a run out to finish the match.

Another victory for the Pink Army under the heat and a superb all round team performance. These girls are growing in confidence each match and listening to advice!

Well done Pink Army!

Best batter: Liv
Best bowler: Millie

Match Report: Matt Percy