On a searing hot Sunday 18th June, Hertfordshire girls and women had a superb day winning 4 from 4. The Women won their two T20 matches and the U13s and U15s won their respective league matches too.
We had a maiden half-century (Daisy Fitzgerald - U13s), two incredible “5-for” bowling spells (Libby Riddell 4-0-10-5 & Gaby Pimm 6-1-25-5 for U15s); a hat-trick (Catherine Cirkel 4-0-10-4 – Women), quick 50s (Rebecca Tyson – 67 from 47 and Kezia Hassall 61 from 51 - Women).
All in all, a great day and further evidence of the increasing strength and team spirit in the girls and women’s squads.
U15 Report
Libby Riddell 4-0-10-5 & Gaby Pimm (6-1-35-5) blow away Hunts in 9 wicket win (Scorecard)
The Hertfordshire U15 girl’s side continued their good form by beating last season’s group winners Huntingdonshire by 9 wickets. After losing the toss it looked like a long hot afternoon in the field. However Gaby Pimm and Arminah Awan continued with the ball from where they left off in the last game against Norfolk and the visitors were soon in trouble at 23/4 with Gaby taking all four wickets. Libby Riddell replace Arminah from the Pavilion end and managed to get a further three wickets in her first two overs. Gaby got her fifth wicket finishing with figures of 5/35 in 6 overs. At 66/8 the last two wickets managed to add a further 27 runs but could not stop the second Hertfordshire left arm seamer getting five wickets. Libby returning figures of 5/10 off 4 overs. Gaby and Libby were helped out by some great catching with Kaya Patel and Cecily Austin holding on to two catches each.
Sophie Stewardson and Tilly Larkins opened in the afternoon heat and managed to see off the opening bowlers. Despite a number of bowling changes the opening pair pushed the score along at a good rate and just as it seems they would get the side home Tilly was adjudged LBW for a well-made 33, especially since it was Tilly first time opening. Sophie was joined by skipper Elizabeth Ruxton and they knocked of the remaining runs without further alarm. Sophie finishing on 25 not out.
U13 Report
Fitzgerald 58, Chapple 43; (Scorecard)
Hertfordshire shine as Daisy Fitzgerald records her first half century in their victory over Bedfordshire.
Daisy Fitzgerald played a starring role for Hertfordshire U13's as they recorded a mammoth 197 to beat neighbouring county Bedfordshire by over a hundred runs. Her 58 not out along with Ella Chapple's 43 saw Hertfordshire record their highest score of the season and gave the bowlers an excellent platform which they made the most of by bowling Bedfordshire out for 87.
Hertfordshire were invited to bat first and got off to an excellent start with the aggressive batting and positive running from openers Catherine Reeves (20) and Ella Chapple. Catherine fell in the fifth over and Sophie Hurst (8) fell shortly after but the third wicket partnership made the most of the excellent platform provided and begun to play very freely scoring consistently at 5 an over.
Both Ella and Daisy batted through until the second drinks break at 24 overs and unfortunately, Ella was clean bowled the ball after drinks leaving her stranded on 43. Daisy then took the leading role and played some magnificent strokes on her way to her first 50. Sofia Miles played some positive looking shots but was unlucky to fall for nought. Gabby Agha provided fantastic support for Daisy on her way to 17 not out.
Hertfordshire had 200 in their sights but were unfortunately denied by some excellent death bowling and two incredibly tired batters who had battled the heat to give Hertfordshire the excellent score of 197.
The start of the next innings for Hertfordshire couldn't possibly have gone any better with Gracie Piggot picking up a wicket with her very first ball. Celeste Jones was also in the wickets early on picking up a wicket in her second over. Bedfordshire built a good 2nd wicket partnership and were scoring close to 6 an over but Imogen Lightening soon ended this picking up her first wicket.
The middle overs were dominated by Hertfordshire as both Zara Wightman and Sarah Brooks bowled fantastically and were rewarded for this by picking up 3 wickets each. The only unlucky bowler was Beatrice Lawrence but her economy rate was less than 4 an over.
Bedfordshire's resistance ended after Amelia Kemp (who will be joining Hertfordshire in Malvern) was unfortunate to pick out Catherine Reeves who took a sublime one handed catch to leave Amelia just short of her 50. Ella topped off an excellent game and picked up the last wicket to leave Bedfordshire short of their target.
Jonathan Cirkel
Hertfordshire Women & Girls Manager