As the nation gathered around their television sets for England’s Euro 16 knockout football match versus Iceland there was even bigger contest being played in Bushy Park last night. Traditionally Ealing CC slug it out with Bushy Park Girls CC to see who will lift the crown of U13 MCA West League champions. It is an eagerly anticipated fixture on the cricketing calendar and although it is played in the best of spirits, the girls focus on this match more than any other.

Bushy Park Girls won the toss and chose to bat. Amelie Munday and Ella Waldren (captain) immediately got into stride and accumulated 42 runs for the first wicket. Both players fell in quick succession in the 6th and 7th overs with Waldren scoring 13 runs and Munday 12. Abigail Avery was the backbone of the BPG innings, with decisive strokes (inc. 5 fours) she powered the host’s total over 100 before retiring on 31. Paige Goodwin played a cameo at the end, pushing Bushy Park Girls’ final total to a very creditable 129 for 6 from their 20 overs.

Ealing’s batting was restricted by the BPG opening bowlers Ella Waldren and Jessamy Low with a mere 10 runs conceded after the first 7 overs . Waldren struck in her first over and credit must go to her for a fine and fiery spell (1 wicket/0 runs/3 overs). Bushy Park Girls turned the screw in the middle part of the Ealing innings too with Ruby Wilkinson, Goodwin (P), Emma Sloan (1 run/2 overs), Molly Bartlett (2 runs/1 over) and the ‘Pocket Rocket’ Erin Goodwin (2 wickets/3 runs/3 overs) keeping the visitors under the cosh. It was an impressive all round performance with Wicket Maidens from Waldren and Goodwin (E), and Maidens from Sloan and Low. The deadly triumvirate of Avery (1 wicket/4 runs/1 over), Phoebe Head (1 wicket/3 runs/1 over) and Sadie Day (1 wicket/1 run/1 over) swooped in at the end to snuff out the Ealing innings for 48 runs in 18.5 overs.

Congratulations to the whole Bushy Park Girls team for a brilliant and decisive win. It has been hard campaign for the U13 girls this year but spirits have never waned and it was a joy to see them on and off the field last night. Thank you to Mark and James for umpiring and Alban for scoring.