Traditionally the BPG under 15s start off with a early season friendly, last year it was against a NPLCC boy’s team but yesterday (12/05/2017) it was versus arch-rivals Ealing CC. For five of the Bushy Park girls this was a first appearance this season and a few of the winter cobwebs were yet to be brushed off. Ealing U15s won this early skirmish in some style but there were still harbingers of hope in the BPG ranks.

Ealing CC won the toss and put Bushy Park Girls, captained by Ellie Lord, into bat. As the sun set over the Duke of Clarence’s former residence, Bushy House, the home team’s innings was also plunged into darkness. A devastating spell of bowling from Ealing’s top four bowlers left Bushy Park Girls reeling on 13 for 6 in only the sixth over. A serious rebuilding phase was needed and Pubudika Punchihewa was the woman for the job. She constructed two 15 run partnerships with both Emma Sloan and Paige Goodwin. With momentum behind them Punchihewa guided her young counterpart Jessamy Low in a 33 run stand that saw Bushy Park Girls reach 76 for 9. This was a perfectly timed innings from Punchihewa who despite being given LBW on the final ball of the allotted 20 overs can be very proud of the 40 runs she scored.

It was a busy time for Bushy Park Girls’ top scorer Pubudika Punchihewa as she opened the bowling alongside Ella Waldron. Both found it hard to control the ball in the early stages but Waldron returned later in the innings to claim a wicket maiden in the 15th over (3 overs, 1 maiden, 12 runs, 1 wicket). Jessamy Low put the brakes on the Ealing scoring with a maiden before Priya Chana and Abigail Avery also bowled good opening overs. With wickets need Emma Sloan (2 overs, 8 runs, 1 wicket) bowled Ealing’s most dangerous batswoman before Amelie Munday pocketed a catch behind the stumps from the bowling of Phoebe Head (2 overs, 7 runs, 1 wicket). With the game slipping out of reach Millie MacEacharn ( 2 overs, 11 runs, 1 wicket) slowed the Ealing chase with a wicket in the 16th over but it was too little too late unfortunately. Ealing CC reached their target in the 18th over (77 for 4) and took the early season bragging rites.

Congratulations to Ealing CC Under 15 Girls on a fine win. Thanks to Mark and Lance for umpiring, and to Jason and Alban for scoring.

BPG Stats are HERE