For the second time in less than a week, Maidenhead were the opposition for our U15 girls. After a big defeat, Falkland had a point to prove in the return match, and wow did they prove it.

Captain Chloe won the toss and elected to bat first. Anabel and Georgia opened the batting, facing up to the all pace attack of Maidenhead. Georgia started strong, hitting a wonderful four, and defending the straight ball well. The first wicket fell with the score at 10, Anabel clean bowled. This brought in the Captain, and Chloe set about the maidenhead attack, hitting boundary after boundary. Georgia was next to fall, clean bowled. 46-2.

Lucy walked in for what would be an entertaining knock. Eight balls later she was out, but those eight balls saw five boundaries, including her first ever six. 71-3. Issy then played on to her own stumps 78-4. Izzy joined captain Chloe at the crease and the girls took the game away from Maidenhead. Boundaries and attacking stroke play were clear to see. Chloe reached her ball limit and retired. This meant Hope and Izzy were batting together, great attacking running saw the girls get up to 187, when Hope was dismissed, caught behind. Izzy was out two balls later, after hitting 47 from 27 balls.

This allowed Chloe to return, and she thoroughly deserved to get to her first 50 of the season, finishing on 53 not out, with Hollie not out too.

Falkland finishing on a hugely impressive 193-6.

Maidenhead felt they were in with a chance when Izzy pulled up injured in the first over, but the Falkland girls rallied together. The first wicket fell in the 3rd over, Lucy with a beauty. The Maidenhead captain was looking dangerous, and hitting good boundaries. But it was Chloe who ripped one through her defences. In her next over she claimed her second victim, again just too quick for the batter.

Anabel took the next wicket, a lovely flighted delivery was too good for the batter and Maidenhead were in trouble at 71-4. A little partnership grew before Chloe again smashed the stumps 91-5. Issy came on to bowl and produced one of the best overs of the season. She clean bowled two batters in two balls, her hattrick balls was amazing, beating the batter and clipping the bails… but the bails stayed on the stumps, denying her a well deserved hattrick. 91-7. Anabel picked up the last wicket, another well flighted spinner, was just too good for the batter. Maidenhead were 105 all out, beaten by 88 runs.

This was a really good demonstration from the girls of batting sensibly, hitting the bad balls and protecting the stumps against the good ones. 193 was a big score against a strong side, so I hope all involved are proud of what they achieved today. Once again thank you for all the great support and encouragement throughout the match.

Match Report - Ian Gibson