At this time of year we are all a little rusty after the winter break. It is not just the girls who need to refresh their talents, scorers need to remember the arcane symbols they scratch in their scorebooks and umpires the rules of engagement. After a typically early season rule blip, yesterday’s (07/05/2017) Under 11 girls league game against Old Actonians was a closely fought and enjoyable match that Bushy Park Girls won by 10 runs. A curious series of events resulted in a game of three innings, the first 10 overs were batted by Bushy Park Girls, followed by 20 overs for Old As and finished off with a final 10 overs for BPG.

Bushy Park Girls were captained by the talented Ruby Oakley who took a leading role in the match. The BPG batting was solid throughout despite this being the first experience of competitive cricket for some of the girls. Oakley and Hope Jones opened in a steady style, followed by pairs Grace Lyons/Matilda Baker and Lexie Dobson/Annie Stirling who were the backbone of the innings, keeping the scoreboard ticking over. Jessica Spencer hit the only 4 of the BPG innings with her partner Maddie Sloan. With only 9 players in the side the final flourish was left to Holly Ramsden (and the returning Oakley). Bushy Park Girls Under 11 finished on a very creditable 99 for 2, the final ‘Pairs Score’ being 86.

Old Actonians were dogged in their response and also scored 99 runs in their 20 overs. Jessica Spencer bowled well without a wicket while Maddie Sloan bagged a wicket after also performing well in the Lady Taverners tournament last week. Hope Jones waded in with a hefty haul of 3 wickets in her 3 overs and it was her wickets that made the difference as Old Actonians finished on 99 for 4. With 5 runs subtracted for every wicket this left Old As on a ‘Pairs Score’ of 76.

A hard fought win for Bushy Park Girls with special recognition to captain Ruby Oakley for an all-round positive performance. It was not only her bowling (2 overs/1 wicket) but her batting too, that sees her reach more than 100 runs already in the season for Bushy Park Girls. Congratulations Ruby! BPG Stats

Thank you to Old Actonians for hosting us, thanks also to the umpires and Will Stirling for scoring. Well done to all the girls for working so well together as a team.