After early season washouts Ashford CC and Bushy Park Girls got their U12 league campaign underway last night (09/05/2018) at Teddington CC. It was a night for the batters as Ashford CC posted a fine total and Bushy Park Girls chased it down in the dwindling Spring light.

Captain Paige Goodwin won the toss for Bushy Park Girls and chose to bowl/field. It was a solid start for Ashford whose openers built strong foundations and took advantage in the dying overs with some flourishing strokes. The Bushy Park bowlers were also in good form, from the first to last over. Erin Goodwin (2 overs/1 maiden/1 run/0 wickets) and Jess Low (2o/1m/5r/0w) both bowled maidens in their opening overs. They were reinforced by both Ruby Oakley (2o/0m/2r/0w) and Evie Davies (2o/0m/7r/0w) who continued to squeeze their opponents. With 8 overs bowled Ashford had crept to 25 for 0.

As the innings neared the halfway mark Ashford began to take more risks. Edie Proud (2o/0m/20r/0w) bravely attempted to pin down the batsmen while Imogen Higgins (3o/0m/14r/2w) drew first blood with a double wicket spell. Despite Higgin’s removal of Ashford’s No.1 and No.3, the visitors began to stretch away. Paige Goodwin (3o/0m/21r/0w) valiantly threw herself into the breach, her first over was a lesson in line and length. Evie Mayhew (2o/0m/17r/0w) had a tricky start but responded with courage and resilience, her second over relinquishing only 2 runs. Bushy Park Girls played their final hand with the excellent Eve Abbott (2o/0m/8r/0w), who has gained strength and purpose after training with Surrey CC this winter. A special mention must go to Ashford’s Udey Jolly who built one of the best innings we’ve ever seen, his score of 51 was one for the purists. Ashford’s innings was brought to an end on 113 for 3 with a run-out by Goodwin (P).

It was a quick turnaround for BPG keeper Molly Bartlett as she strode out to open the batting alongside Goodwin (P). This has been a defining year for Bartlett as she debuts for Middlesex CC in 2018. Her innings was one of her best, combining some elegant stroke play with a handful of boundaries in her score of 26. Goodwin (P) was an ever reliable partner, and her handy 14 was accumulated in singles and twos. Kerrie-Ann D’Cunha announced her arrival with some bludgeoning fours, her 14 was scored in record time. Low and Abbott brought the Bushy Park Girls to within touching distance of Ashford’s impressive total. Abbott’s steady 6* supported a belligerent Low. She flashed past the Ashford total with a final four, finishing on 22 not out. Bushy Park Girls finished on 116 for 3, securing the win in the 15th over.

Thank you to Ashford for coming over through the rush hour traffic and to playing the game in a wonderful spirit. We wish you all best in the season ahead. Thank you to Andy and Ted for umpiring, Kush and Alban for scoring.

View the full BPG stats HERE.