4^th June    Dukesmead      ECB Cup 

Things don’t get much better than waking up to a glorious blue sky, knowing that you’ve got a game of cricket to look forward to. Dukesmead left their traditional home, and had booked the Old Actonians ground for this fixture. Things got off to a cheeky little start, when, having played at the ground in the past, we grabbed the changing room with balcony – not often you get to watch the game from on high! Having arrived at the ground with the news that we would be only 10, Sarah Bartlett was immediately spurred into action, by phoning Sue Donaldson, and getting her to cut short her weekend in Brighton to come and fill in for us – such dedication is touching. 

Losing the toss, we were a little surprised to be asked to bat, on a track that looked decent enough. Janice Fraser and Keely Juster were given the task of opening the innings. They set off at a reasonable rate – 25 of the first 4 overs, and never really looked back. Janice looked to attack from the word go, and was lucky to be dropped in the 4^th over, mind you the ball went straight through the fielder and continued for a further 30 yards, before it stopped, such was the ferocity with which it was hit. With Keely more than content to play second fiddle, place the ball into the gaps and get Janice on strike, the runs soon came at a rate of knots. The 50 came up in the 9^th over, Janice’s in the 12^th. No bowler was spared as she really went to town – it was a pleasure to watch – no false or ugly shots, all straight out of the middle of the bat. Our 100 came up in the 14^th over, and then she decided to start hitting out. The next 100 took just 9.3 overs – seven 6’s, including one that broke a roof tile of the pavilion. When she finally fell, for 160, in the 27^th over, the scoreboard showed a record opening partnership of 234. A fine innings and certainly one for the youngsters to watch and learn from. 

Anita Thorose (Meobs) had the unenviable task of following her. To be padded up, waiting to go for so long, whilst watching the openers score almost at will, can be very frustrating. Meobs was patient enough to start with, placing the ball nicely and looking to really push the singles. However, the flight of Lori Bedborough finally proved too much and she was stumped. With the score on 280, and 5 .3 overs to go, Hannah Rea walked a little nervously out to the middle. Hannah is one of our promising bunch of youngsters, who is just making the switch from U15 level to seniors. The nerves got the better of her first ball, and she played at a ball she needn’t have done and was lucky to survive. However, that seemed to calm her nerves, and she never looked back. Playing some lovely cover drives, she more than kept up the run rate, showing Keely who had been there since the start, no mercy, as she made her run 2’s and 3’s! During a change of over, she did admit to needing to do something about her cardio vascular fitness, if she couldn’t find the boundary!  In the end, we finished on 311, with Keely carrying her bat for 104 – her maiden century, much to the delight and amusement of the rest of the team, and Hannah unbeaten on 16. If I had realised the effect that giving up captaining would have on my batting, I’d have resigned years ago!! 

If things looked bad for Dukesmead, they got a whole lot worse with the first ball of the second over, when Radhi Nanalal struck. She is someone I aspire to be like – ever green, dying to get the ball in her hand and deadly dangerous – relishing seeing batsmen being unable to play her. Barts was bowling a tight line, but getting no reward, as the batsmen played and missed. Meobs was looking sharp behind the stumps – making it look easy – where are the selectors when you need them? 

A change of bowling saw Danni Warren bowl her first ball in competition this season. She was very firm with wanting a 7 / 2 field, but the massive gap at mid wicket proved too tempting, as Lorraine Poole got an outside edge as gave an easy catch to Keely at point. Katherine Winks and Alex Cram offered some resistance, but Danni soon picked up her second wicket, frustrating Alex and then bowling her. Laura Gardiner (Titch) was thrown the ball, and caused all sorts of problems, with the lift she was getting. A left armer, whose worked really hard over the winter, we are now seeing the rewards, as she had them playing and missing before Katherine misjudged one and skied it to square leg.  

Emily Jones (PA, due to her Paul Adams action) the last of our trio of young musketeers, proceeded to make far more experienced batsmen looked perplexed, as she claimed 2 wickets. The scene was set for a difficult Captain’s choice – Debbie Stock decided to take it, brought herself on and duly cleaned up the tail – 3 for 11, as they were all out for 75. I ask you!! A comfortable win – with an all round team effort. Special mention to Sue, who thoroughly enjoyed her couple of chases in the field, and was overheard commentating on how she didn’t mind not batting, and quiet enjoyed just fielding – can’t be the Sue I know!!  We now move on to the regional final – 3 games away from possible silverware – bring it on!!