Our Women’s 1st XI put their best foot forward against strong opposition Old Minchendenians on Sunday 9th August in the morning heat, but ultimately it wasn’t their day, and they suffered a 12-run loss.
The morning was off to a good start (if you discount the pitch-invading geese who were kindly shooed away by Alan the groundsman) as even though Emma lost the toss, the outcome meant she got her way anyway - Old Minch opted to field first. Soph and Piumi were first to bat, taking sensible singles where they could, and Soph closed out their innings with two boundaries on the leg side to bring Southgate’s total after four to 40 runs. A solid effort.
Pooja and Shikhaa were up next, with a safe innings that put on a total of 30, helped nicely along with some wide deliveries and Pooja’s first ever four! A proud moment that took Southgate to a comfortable 70 runs after eight overs.
Emma and Maddie’s first two overs were less fruitful, and their third over took a turn that saw two wickets in 5 balls. Old Minch’s umpire pointed out after the eighth over that the line their team were bowling from was too far, and so this was adjusted (as were the stumps...). Maddie’s run out a few balls later then felt a bit harsh, but Southgate’s stand-in umpire, Amila, diplomatically gave Southgate the opportunity to shorten their wicket at over nine when bowling, which was graciously accepted. A couple of fours from Emma at the end brought the total after 12 to 104.
Yo and Mareeni closed the show, but struggled to score highly in their first two overs. A lovely four from Mareeni in the third, accompanied by another from Yo to finish the innings. Despite Old Minch’s strongest bowler and captain Radika bowling brilliantly and taking a wicket, Southgate’s closing pair put up a good fight and it was 112 (312) to beat.
At this point, the heat of the morning had burnt through the clouds and the team were feeling the pressure. Southgate’s bowling and fielding was not its best, and Old Minch were a worthy opponent with the bat. Between the number of wides bowled and runs scored, their first batting pair put on 41 runs against overs from Maddie, Emma, Soph and Pooja.
Their next pair followed suit, also scoring 41 runs off bowling from Yo, Piumi, Shikhaa and Maddie. Southgate were struggling into the second half of the innings, with Emma’s first two balls of her second spell going for four and still no wickets taken. Old Minch only managed a couple of singles off Soph’s sensible second over, and Pooja bowled a solid second with no runs off the bat. Wides were the ninth man for Old Minch today (even with the shortened wicket), and despite Piumi and Shikhaa bowling well for a second time, Old Minch had scored 129 runs with one over to go.
Last chance saloon for Southgate saw Yo bowl her third and final over of the game. Realising something had to be done, a much-needed dot ball came first, followed by a diving catch off her own bowling to give Southgate a fighting chance! Well, fighting was to say the only way Southgate could win after the third ball (a dot), would be for Yo to take three wickets in a row. The subsequent three dot balls to end a maiden wicket over were bittersweet, but Southgate were gracious in their defeat.
Southgate 112 (312) - Old Minchendenians 124 (324).
A disappointing outcome for the “divas”, but Old Minch were gracious in their win, concluding what was an enjoyable morning of cricket for all.
All eyes now turn to next week’s league match against Enfield – it’s a big one!
Emma Dangerfield