After topping their girls’ league in 2017 Bushy Park Girls Under 13s travelled to Finals Day as West Middlesex Champions last Sunday (03/09/2017). Traditionally the top two teams from the North and West play each other in a knock-out semi-final, that then leads to a ‘winner takes all’ final later in the afternoon. So it was West Champions Bushy Park Girls CC that faced North Middlesex CC in the first semi-final of the day.

A dewy Autumnal morning greeted both sets of players and with the outfield and wicket wet it was a cautious start by fielders and batswomen alike. North Middlesex won the toss and put BPG in to bat. It was hard for the North Mid bowlers with the slippery ball but also for the batters too, with many a fine shot pulling up short of the boundary. Openers Molly Bartlett (7) and Paige Goodwin (4) both toiled tirelessly in the conditions and eager to push the run rate along were run-out in the 6th (Bartlett) and 9th overs (Goodwin).

Emily Bryce played a valuable cameo at No.3, scoring a rapid 5 but it was the mid-order partnership between Evie Mayhew and Eve Abbott that made the difference. Both have another year in the Under 13 age group and show why Bushy Park Girls have much to look forward to in 2018. Both were a joy to watch but it was Mayhew’s knock of 19 which signals her out as an exciting and emerging player, what a great time to reach your highest score of the year. Abbott was equally elegant, her languid style caressing the balls across the wet outfield in ones and twos. The final over proved eventful for them both with Mayhew being bowled first, and then Abbott lashing a ball to the boundary before falling for 12 runs on the final ball of the innings. Bushy Park Girls scored 90 runs in their 20 overs, a total that could well be chased down if they didn’t bowl well.

The opening quartet of Bushy Park Girls bowlers took an early stranglehold on the game with Eve Abbott, Jessamy Low (captain), Paige Goodwin and Simrat Khaira keeping a lid on the North Middleex reply. Abbott’s first over was a wicket maiden and she finished with figures of 3-1-6-1, displaying everything you desire from an opening bowler. Goodwin (2-1-7-0) also started with a maiden as did Khaira, and with 7 overs gone the quartet had conceded just 11 runs. Khaira (3-1-7-2) bagged a brace of wickets in her final over, bringing her total up to 9 wickets for the season. Both her wickets were bowled and it’s her accuracy that brings her so many triumphs.

Emma Bridge (2-0-12-0), Molly Bartlett (1-0-10-0) and Evie Mayhew (2-0-10-0) shored up the middle overs despite some strong attacking shots from North Middlesex and their excellent No.3 batswoman. Emily Bryce (2-0-6-1) took a smart caught & bowled with her tricky left-hand bowling and Edie Proud (1-0-7-1) bowled her opponent from her final ball. Evie Davies was on superb form, producing a maiden over at just the time when North London were looking like they would reach BPG’s total. It was Bryce, Proud and Davies who stifled the scoring and left Low (3-0-9-1) to bowl the last over, taking a wicket and securing a place in the final for Bushy Park Girls. North London CC finished on 77 for 7 in their 20 overs.

A special mention to Molly Bartlett for an excellent run-out and Kerrie-ann D’cunha who kept wicket with real dexterity and skill. She was one of the best keepers on display throughout the day, giving away the fewest byes in the games we played in. The umpires were lenient with the wides (especially down leg side) and she had to be on her toes. With 240 balls bowled at her (over semi-final and final) it is quite some achievement to concede only 3 byes in that time.

Thank you to North Middlesex for an enjoyable game, and good luck in 2018. Also to the independent umpires Lizzie and Nisanka. Finally to the scorers Gemma and Alban.

The report of the final follows shortly