On the hottest day of the year so far with temperatures topping 33c Hampton Hill CC turned up the heat on visitors Bushy Park Girls in Carlisle Park (Hampton) yesterday. After restricting BPG U13s to a modest total of 59, Hampton Hill kept cool heads to reach their target of 60 in the 11th over.

Hampton Hill U12s won the toss and put Bushy Park Girls into bat and it wasn’t long before they hit a rich vein of form. Their opening bowler Ellie sent 3 Bushy Park batswomen back to the safety of the shade and young firebrand Max Ratcliffe kept the fightback at bay with a wicket maiden. As Bronnie Polley watched her batting partners come and go she carved out a calm and assured 15 runs (highest BPG score). The middle order put up some more resistance with Issy Ryan (6 runs), Jessamy Low and latterly Emma Nunn who staunched the earlier wounds inflicted by Hampton Hill but it was Lucy Barton who stole the show in the later stages with a 9 run cameo. It was a timely innings by both Barton and Ryan (partnership – 21 runs), who say farewell to Bushy Park Girls this season. This has been Issy Ryan’s debut season with BPG but she has become a firm favourite in the team with her golden arm in the field. In comparison Lucy Barton has been with Bushy Park Girls since its inception, she has been a wonderful servant to the club and this was a fitting way for her to sign off.

Hampton Hill were the most miserly (in terms of extras) of all the boy’s teams that Bushy Park Girls have played this year, from U11 to U13 sides, in all leagues and friendlies. Although Bushy Park Girls bowled well against a very assured Hampton Hill side the target of 60 was always within their grasp. True to form BPG never gave up and it is with great credit that they charged-in with purpose, openers Cerys Tudor-Owen (14 runs/2overs) and Jessamy Low (1 wicket/11 runs/2 overs) were ably supported by a fiery spell by Ella Waldren (7 runs/2 overs). Paige Goodwin (8 runs, 2 overs), Molly Bartlett (5 runs, 1 over) and Millie MacEacharn (8 runs, 1 over) fought hard to restrict Hampton Hill. Thank you to Amelie Munday who kept wicket in her full gear despite the heat. The final over of the match was bowled by Lucy Barton and although this was her last game for Bushy Park Girls we hope this is not the last we see of her. There is talk of a Bushy Park Women’s side being planned and it would be honour to see her play once again for the BPG.

Congratulations to Hampton Hill CC on a fine performance with both bat and ball. Thank you to Dave Waldren and David Mackinney for umpiring, and to Ian, Gavin and Alban for scoring. A special mention to Andrea Polley for refreshing us on what was a sweltering but enjoyable evening.