including a fantastic win against Netherlands.....
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The Hertfordshire Women’s team have had a tremendous start to the season winning five out of the six games played with the U15s team also winning their first league game.
The Women’s XI started with a friendly game v Huntingdonshire and set the visitors 299 to win. A fine unbeaten century by Gemma Marriott (119*) and a quick fire 60 off 48 balls from Elsa Barnfarther being the main contributors to the total. The Huntingdonshire side battled to 151 all out in the 43rd over with Lizzie Ruxton 3 for 20 and Millie Dyer 2 for 28 doing the main damage with the ball.
Many thanks to both Knebworth CC and the umpires in getting the next game on, a T20 against the Germany Women’s National team (Golden Eagles). In very unpleasant conditions the Herts Women scored 130 for 5 in the 18 over contest with Kezia Hassell making an impressive 63, with skipper Amy Price finishing on 26 not out. Some tight bowling saw the German side finishing 25 runs short in a game which was played in great spirit despite the conditions.
The early May Bank Holiday saw the first of two 50 over double header’s against Cambridgeshire and then Suffolk. Cambridgeshire decided to bat and managed 151 all out in 47 overs, this time it was Charlotte Banks 3 for 13 and Arminah Awan 2 for 19 who were amongst the wickets. The Herts team made short work of the target with Gemma top scoring with another fine not out innings this time missing out on a century finishing with 91 not out in an 8-wicket victory.
The next day in Suffolk was a different story despite a wicket in the first over the Suffolk side set a challenging target after finishing 241 for 3. Despite losing three of the top five for ducks the Herts team never give up and managed to bat the full 50 overs finishing on 176 for 9 with another half century from Kezia.
A break from league action saw another win in a friendly game against the Eastern Academy region. Scoring 208 for 9 in the 50 overs with Kezia this time managing to make her century with one ball left in the innings. Roxy Buckley was pick of the bowlers with 4 for 18 and a fantastic catch in the deep. Alice Baird and Amelie Munday also chipped in with a couple of wickets each and Kezia capped off her day with 3 catches.
The most exciting game of the season thus far was played at Harlow v the Netherlands Women’s side. Losing the toss and batting in overcast conditions things were looking good at 93 for 2 before a collapse saw a competitive total set at 147 all out with 5 overs unused. The Herts bowlers were soon in the wickets and a great spell of bowling 10-5-12-2 from skipper Amy made sure the Dutch side had to fight for every run. The critical wicket came from run out from a direct hit from Catherine Cirkel running out top scorer Hannema who at that stage had scored 75 out of the 118 on the board. There was still drama as the last wicket pair needed 25 to win and managed 22 of those before Amy took a catch off Roxy to the relief of players, coaches and spectators alike to finish a wonderful game of cricket.
The U15 side have played one game v Cambridgeshire enjoying another close game.
Amelia Kemp with a half century (89*) along with Lottie Hobson (22) managed to set a total of 162 before Imogen Lightening 4 for 21 and Daisy F 4 for 6 restricted The Cambs side to 124 all out and a 38-run victory.
The late May bank holiday weekend sees the end of the 50 over league season for the Women with games v Northamptonshire on Sunday at the Wantage Road county ground, followed on Monday v Norfolk at Tring Park CC. Not forgetting a T20 game on Friday24th May at Watford CC v the Oman Women’s National Side. With it being half term all of the girl’s teams are in action with the HOME games (There are away games to not listed) for U15 Sunday at Knebworth CC V Suffolk and Tuesday 28th May at Haileybury College in a T20 v Oxfordshire and Warwickshire. The U13 are at Bishop Stortford CC on Wednesday 29th May v Huntingdonshire and the U17 are at Boxmoor CC v Berkshire on Friday 31st
Tom Ruxton