U18’s beat Hampshire to reach Semi Finals of the ECB Girls U18 County Cup

 

After a successful group campaign (Won 7, Lost 1) it was an early morning start for the trip to Winchester College to take on Hampshire in the Quarter Finals.  As with most cricket pitches currently, the outfield was parched and looked as if fielding would be a challenge, the wicket however looked good, but presented a new challenge for many of the girls being a hybrid pitch.  Devon won the toss and elected to bat in humid conditions.

 

The opening pair of Corney and Vereker got off to a solid start before Vereker was adjudged LBW in the 7th over with the score on 32.  Corney was joined by Read and together they put on 48 which was to be the highest partnership of the innings, when Read fell on 21.  Bishop came to the crease and anchored the innings taking the score from 80-2 to 167-5 finally falling for 40, which included partnerships of 42 with Davis and 40 with Donovan.  Donovan finally fell on the penultimate ball of the innings for a useful 34 and the score on 205/7.  

 

 

The Hampshire reply started solidly with an opening partnership of 44, before Davis took the catch to remove Chahal off the bowling of Daldorph.  Another partnership was developing when Bishop was brought on to bowl the 18th over and with her 4th ball took the return catch to dismiss Khurana for 27, Hampshire 79-2. Hampshire still looked in control even with Bishop and Dennis bowling well, Avoth and Chissell took the score to 114/2 from 25.  The tide began to turn in the next, with Read taking the catch behind to dismiss Chissell.  Bishop had the dangerous Avoth (51) caught on the boundary by Ball in the 30th, Hampshire 135/5.  The next saw two wickets fall, firstly a brilliant c&b by Dennis, and then a mix up running off a wide saw Ball execute the run out (138/7).  Turner moped up the innings in the 36th over bowling Thomas to seal a 50 run win.  

E Bishop 40 (48)

E Corney 36 (51)

K Donovan 34 (38)

 

E Bishop 8-0-41-3

C Dennis 8-0-30-3

M Turner 1.1-0-5-2

 

The team will now travel to Grantham, Lincolnshire and will be joined in the Semi Finals by Essex, North East Warriors and Suffolk.  Semi Final to be played 24th Aug and Final/3rd Place Playoff 25th August.  

 

Thanks to Mark Lockett for the text and permission to use the photographs