Beverley Town Cricket Club Ladies openers Sarah McDowell (16) and Beth Smith (49) started cautiously and when Skipper McDowell was trapped LBW by Kennedy with the score at 29 in came Helen Craig(71) who set about the opposition bowling in grand style hitting nine 4’s in a splendid innings of aggressive batting in a stand of 117 with Beth Smith.
With overs running out Smith was stumped but Laura Wilson (34no), returning for the first time this season, took control and despite losing Craig and then Warner continued to score freely. With wickets left, youngster Megan Siddown hit out and helped Wilson push the final score to 198 for 4.
Knowing the opposition were capable of getting this score Beverley knew they had to be on top of their game to win. Abigail Warner and Beth Smith opened the bowling and although they kept the scoring down, it was Abi Moriarty who got the dangerous Vickie Stanley stumped by McDowell with the score on 48.
In came Gemma Kennedy who started to score freely but when she was caught by Megan Siddown off Helen Craig bowling the Beverley team knew they had taken two key wickets. Whittle (34) and Bates (53) where looking to take the game away from Beverley but when Whittle was brilliantly caught and bowled by Wilson further wickets started to fall but it was only when Ailish Ward returned for her second spell and clean bowled opener Bates that Beverley were able to restrict the home side 177 for 7, 21 short of the Beverley total.
Coach Peter Todd said;
“This was a great game of cricket where both teams fielded and bowled extremely well. Beverley younger players will have learnt a great deal today and when you score nearly 200 runs you still have to work hard to stop the opposition getting them.”
“Great credit to young Courtney Nichol, who has always been available this season, and fielded exceptionally well today.” This is the first time we have beaten Veron Carus on their home turf (Lancashire) and every player did well.”
“Our next game is against League Leaders, New Farnley, which has been switched to the Norwood Recreation Ground on Sunday”.
