Prince Henry’s U15 Girls’ Indoor Cricket Team have won the right to represent the county in the Regional Finals of the Lady Taverner’s U15 Girl’s Indoor Cricket competition by winning an exciting tournament held at Perdiswell Leisure Centre on Mon 4th Feb.
The six schools that entered were divided into two pools, with the winners of each to play off for tournament winners. Prince Henry’s were drawn against Malvern St James and Christopher Whitehead. After watching Christopher Whitehead dismiss Malvern St James with an excellent display of batting, it was the turn of Prince Henry’s to see how they would fare against the independent school. Captain, Sophie Jessop won the toss elected to field first. Tight bowling and some sharp fielding, especially from Alice Hall, restricted the run rate so that Malvern St James could only post 31 runs. In reply Prince Henry’s achieved 63, including a personal best score from Martha Farnworth.
The girls had to go straight into their next game against Christopher Whitehead. Once again winning the toss they put the opposition into bat. Although wickets fell at regular intervals, with five players affecting run-outs and Jessop taking a catch off the bowling of Chelsea Andrews, the experienced running of Christopher Whitehead’s players resulted in a score of 55. In reply Prince Henry’s made a slow start, scoring 9 off the first two of seven overs. Then Jessop began to use her feet and attacked the ball, scoring three fours and soon achieving the retirement score of 25. The final over was reached with 11 run required. It was left to Farnworth to see the team through to victory as she and Meg Willoughby took 15 runs off the last over.
After watching the fifth/sixth and third/fourth play-offs, Prince Henry’s took to the field to play The Chase, winners of the other pool. Winning the toss yet again, The Chase were put into bat. Once again, a good fielding display put the batter under pressure, with Molly Hardwick adding herself to the list of wicket-takers. The Chase scored 35 runs. This seemed an easy target until two wickets fell cheaply. It was left to Caitie Haines to lead the way, with the team’s first 6, and when she was joined at the crease by Farnworth, the victory was assured.
The girls will now go on to represent the county in the regional finals, with the hope of reaching the national finals at Lord’s, the home of cricket, if they win again.
Miss N Heywood
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