Sarah McDowell out first ball last week but finishes 97 not-out batting through the entire innings for Beverley Ladies on Sunday 3rd July at Norwood Park.
This was by far Beverley’s best performance of the season. Put into bat by Pool, Beverley made a good start and steady progress until Beth Smith was given LBW on 24 with the score on 84.
Some good bowling from Bradbrook saw the demise of Charlie Cooper just as she was getting settled. Laura Wilson came into bat and with Sarah McDowell taking the score quickly on to 170.
She hit a brilliant shot well past long on and ran for 3, but tried to be greedy and take another run and was well out of her crease as she tried to make her ground. A terrific throw from Riley saw Laura run out for 23. Sarah McDowell was running out of overs and to a degree, partners, as she tried to make her first ton of the season, but returned not out on 97.
Pool’s openers were made to work hard for their runs against the bowling of Hannah Mathews and Beth Smith and soon Beth took the wicket of Wilkinson with the score of 4. Abbie Warner continued with a great wicket maiden bowling Briggs for 14. Pool needed some support for Jenny Riley to make the required run rate Mel Bargh and Sarah Rigg provided that with some wonderful strokes of the bat knocking up 9 boundaries between them.
Jenny was eventually caught for 62, by Beth Smith at long off, trying to hit the ball over Beth’s head. There was a rush of quick runs and gradually the score crept up to the target then skipper Louise Todd made 2 bowling changes and terrific fielding halted the flow and in the end Pool was struggling. Katharine Carson finished off the overs and the Beverley players were well pleased with their performance. It was Sarah McDowell’s birthday and a fitting present for her was being named the ‘woman of the match’ for her contribution with the bat.
Skipper Louise Todd said, ’The team has showed potential all season but after the great start by Sarah and Beth the remainder of the team seemed to gain the confidence that have lacked in previous games. The welcome return of Laura Wilson from Premier League cricket also boosted the batting strength and her fielding was a great example to all the younger players.
Our game against Read (Lancashire) has been cancelled for next Sunday but we eagerly await another game against Bradford. We train on Tuesday evening 6 til 8 at Norwood Park, Beverley and are always on the lookout for new players from age 6 to 66 so if you want a go please come along’
BEVERLEY LADIES XI
211 /7 (Sarah McDowell 97no, Beth Smith 24, Laura Wilson 23) (C Wilkinson 3 for 28)
POOL LADIES XI
191/6 (Jenny Riley 62, Sarah Rigg 33, Mel Bargh 28) (Katharine Carson 2 for 28)
Beverley won by 20 runs
