Winning the toss, the visitors chose to field first on a sunny but windy afternoon. The decision looked to be a good one as the early losses of Ava (1) and Izzy R (0) saw Falkland slip to 18-2. As Lou joined Immi at the crease, the 2 slowly started to push the score along. As the first bowling changes came, both batters started to find the gaps in the field and boundaries started to flow. Immi was finding the boundary with ease and swiftly reached mandatory retirement at 30 runs. The very next delivery saw Lucy (0) depart and the the West Ilsley team sensed they were on top.

Daisy came out to the crease and was straight into her stride finding the gaps in the field and the boundary. Lou eventually fell for 17 after hitting a huge 6 with a sumptuous clip into the leg side. Contributions from Izzy G (5), Amelia (1) and Milla (1) supported Daisy before she eventually fell for a well-crafted 28. Alexa (1) was next to fall and this brought the in-form Immi back to the crease with Issy G at the other end. The 2 pushed the score forward with Immi ending on 41 not out and Issy G on 3 not out. The Falkland team posting a solid 137-9 from their 20 overs.

In response the visiting team were in good mood, but Lucy (2-18) soon changed things with a wicket from their first ball of the innings - a challenging in-swinging delivery that took the opening batter by surprise. 2 balls later she struck again in identical fashion leaving the visitors struggling on 0-2. The West Ilsley batters dug in deep and a 50 partnership from the next 2 batters saw them gain the momentum in quick time with some strong shots to the boundary. Turning to spin Izzy R (1-5) made the breakthrough with the score on 67 with a beautiful delivery bowling the batter through the gap. With the scores evenly balanced Amelia (2-5) took the next wicket swiftly followed by another from the pace of Lou (1-7) and Izzy G (1-20). 3 wickets falling in as many overs checked the West Ilsley innings.

With 5 overs to go and only 20 runs needed, momentum looked to have swung back in favour of the visitors. Tight bowling from Lou and Amelia swung the game back in favour of the home side, but a huge 18th over saw things swing back in favour of the visitors once again as they found the boundary on several occasions. At the end of the 19th over the scores were tied and Falkland once again turned to the spin of Immi. With just 1 run needed for victory she bowled 5 dot balls taking the game to the final delivery. A wonderfully flighted delivery saw the batter hit the ball back straight as the non-striker set off for the run, but Immi had other ideas and took a great catch off her own bowling to see the game end in a thrilling tie.

A great game for all the spectators and a thrilling end to a wonderful game of cricket which ebbed and flowed throughout.

Report: T Colby