Tag: under 13

The Big Match

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As the nation gathered around their television sets for England’s Euro 16 knockout football match versus Iceland there was even bigger contest being played in Bushy Park last night. Traditionally Ealing CC slug it out with Bushy Park Girls CC to see who will lift the crown of U13 MCA West League champions. It is an eagerly anticipated fixture on the cricketing calendar and although it is played in the best of spirits, the girls focus on this match more than any other.

Bushy Park Girls won the toss and chose to bat. Amelie Munday and Ella Waldren (captain) immediately got into stride and accumulated 42 runs for the first wicket. Both players fell in quick succession in the 6th and 7th overs with Waldren scoring 13 runs and Munday 12. Abigail Avery was the backbone of the BPG innings, with decisive strokes (inc. 5 fours) she powered the host’s total over 100 before retiring on 31. Paige Goodwin played a cameo at the end, pushing Bushy Park Girls’ final total to a very creditable 129 for 6 from their 20 overs.

Ealing’s batting was restricted by the BPG opening bowlers Ella Waldren and Jessamy Low with a mere 10 runs conceded after the first 7 overs . Waldren struck in her first over and credit must go to her for a fine and fiery spell (1 wicket/0 runs/3 overs). Bushy Park Girls turned the screw in the middle part of the Ealing innings too with Ruby Wilkinson, Goodwin (P), Emma Sloan (1 run/2 overs), Molly Bartlett (2 runs/1 over) and the ‘Pocket Rocket’ Erin Goodwin (2 wickets/3 runs/3 overs) keeping the visitors under the cosh. It was an impressive all round performance with Wicket Maidens from Waldren and Goodwin (E), and Maidens from Sloan and Low. The deadly triumvirate of Avery (1 wicket/4 runs/1 over), Phoebe Head (1 wicket/3 runs/1 over) and Sadie Day (1 wicket/1 run/1 over) swooped in at the end to snuff out the Ealing innings for 48 runs in 18.5 overs.

Congratulations to the whole Bushy Park Girls team for a brilliant and decisive win. It has been hard campaign for the U13 girls this year but spirits have never waned and it was a joy to see them on and off the field last night. Thank you to Mark and James for umpiring and Alban for scoring.

 

 

On the map with Gladys Chitty

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This year for Bushy Park Girls has been one of breaking new boundaries and making new friendships on the cricketing map. Today the BPG Middlesex champions crossed the border into Surrey and played their first game in the Gladys Chitty U13 League vs the boys at Shepperton CC. It was hard game for Bushy Park Girls with Shepperton dominating from beginning to end, but as always the girls played the game with a competitive zeal and bonhomie.

Shepperton CC won the toss and put BPG into bat on this fresh Sunday morning. None of the Bushy Park Girls’ batswomen reached double figures although they occupied the crease resolutely and were only one ball short of batting through their 20 overs. Amelie Munday (captain) and Pubudika Punchihewa opened the batting and their stand of 17 was the highest of the BPG innings. The limpet like resistance of Amy Coppin in the middle order helped the visitors to reach a final total of 63 with the stoic Ruby Wilkinson remaining not out at the break of innings.

As we’ve come to expect Bushy Park Girls’ bowling is their greatest asset and they conceded significantly less extras than their hosts. In reality the Shepperton opening batsmen put BPG to the sword with Jessamy Low and Punchihewa coming under pressure in the first 5 overs. Kate Middleton caught a tasty slog on the boundary from the bowling of Abigail Avery to break the opening partnership. Amelie Munday swapped wicketkeeping duties with the able Becs Johnson to then bowl a fast and fruitful spell at the Shepperton middle order (2 overs/6 runs/1 wicket) before Low came back into the attack to claim a smart caught and bowled. Other notable bowling performances came from Priya Chana (1 over/2 runs) and Evie Davies (2 overs/4 runs). In the field Paige Goodwin’s accurate arm dispatched Shepperton’s No.6 batsmen with a direct hit but the ultimate spoils remain with the home side who reached their target in the 10th over.

Congratulations to Shepperton CC on the win and thank you for hosting us at their charming club. Thank you to Mark for umpiring and to Alban, Sue and Graham for scoring. As always thanks also go to the parents for the continued support and on finding another new destination on the cricketing map.

 

The Mac hits back but Ashford secure win

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30%_2016_06_15_vs_Ashford_3This year’s campaign has been a struggle against both the weather and some strong teams in the boys league. Ashford CC were our opponents last night (15/06/2016) and currently top the U13 Division 3 table with 4 wins from 4 games. Although fortune favoured the brave and we won as far as the weather goes, unfortunately it was Ashford who proved too strong for the Bushy Park Girls, winning by 16 runs.

Heavy June rain storms submerged our designated pitch so we switched to a plastic/grass/mud strip that was a little slippery and hard for batters and bowlers alike. All credit to the Ashford groundsman and personnel for getting the game on.

Ashford batted first and it was a very tight and tidy opening spell from Pubudika Punchihewa (2 wickets/10 runs/ 4 overs) and Jessamy Low (1 wicket/4 runs/4 overs) which kept Ashford’s openers under wraps. Both Abigail Avery (1 wicket/7 runs/2 overs) and Paige Goodwin (5 runs/2 overs) turned the screw before Ashford’s big hitter, Connor, came to the crease in the middle order and freed the shackles. Despite the onslaught Sadie Day and Molly Bartlett bowled 2 accurate overs between them and both Issy Ryan and Lucy Barton brought their good form from the training ground onto the pitch. Ashford finished their innings on 91 for 3 (20 overs). Thank you to Becs, who we’ve grown to rely on in the past months behind the stumps.

Our chalk and cheese openers Lauren Avery (captain) and Millie MacEacharn (14 runs) hit the ground running, racking up 20 runs in the first 2 overs. MacEachan has been on fine form for BPG this year with some big hitting scores and once again she strong-armed the opposition in an opening gambit that was sweet and short. Avery (L) is the glue that so often binds the BPG batting together and she accumulated a well crafted innings (all in singles), but she is worth much more than merely a number, she is a talisman (taliswoman) for all Bushy Park girls. Both Avery (A) and Bartlett bolstered the middle order with boundaries but the target of 92 to win proved out of reach as BPG reached 75 for 7 in their 20 overs.

Thank you to the umpires Graham and Paul, also the scorers Alban and Connor/Tan/Andy. As always it wouldn’t be possible without the supporters who braved the elements and got everyone there on time. Congratulation to Ashford CC for a good win, thank you for hosting us.

 

 

 

Touring win for South Wiltshire CC

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2016_06_04_BPG_vs_SouthWiltsToday (04/06/16) we welcomed touring side South Wiltshire U13 to our part of the world on the banks of the River Thames. Playing on the Ditton Field the girls were just a river’s width away from Henry VIII’s Palace at Hampton Court. South Wiltshire ran out winners in the end with a mature and well measured run chase, reaching their target of 74 in the 16th over of their innings.

South Wilts CC won the toss and put Bushy Park Girls in to bat. Captain Molly Bartlett and Vice-captain Paige Goodwin opened the batting for BPG  but soon lost the latter to a run out in the 2nd over. Bartlett is a tenacious and accumulative batswoman who was determined to build a platform for her team. Emma Sloan was unlucky to be bowled by a looping delivery before both Edie Proud and Kate Middleton put up a dogged resistance in the middle order . Some urgency was injected into the denouement by Jessamy Low and Simrat Khaira with Low top scoring for BPG with 13 runs. Some good shots from the Bushy Park Girls were caught in the dewy outfield and this was reflected in the final total of 73 for 5 in 20 overs.

South Wiltshire U13 batted well against some accurate BPG bowling and it wasn’t until the midway point before their momentum took them away from the home side. Everyone bowled at least one over with Antonia Adams (1 over/5 runs) making a solid debut for the team. Low (3 overs/6 runs) and Goodwin applied the pressure in the first 5 overs which resulted in a run out from the golden arm of Evie Davies in the field. BPG President Natalie Raja was also impressed with the fielding from Emma Bridge, who swooped around the boundary like a hawk. Sloan (1 over/3 runs) is a player who has been working hard in the winter nets and we expect to see a little more from her in the coming months but it was Khaira who took the solitary wicket and the plaudits, clean bowling their opener for a steady 10 runs.

Congratulations to South Wiltshire on a good win and a safe journey home to Salisbury. Thank you to umpires Ben Bartlett and David Proud, and to all the supporters and parents who gave up their time to attend the match.

 

 

 

Like Brother and Sister

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With the demise of British Airways CC from the U13 boys league this season we were left without an opponent and a pitch for last night’s away game (02/04/2016). Luckily as in all good families you can rely on your siblings to help you in your hour of need. Here at Bushy Park Girls we have a close relationship with all our associate clubs (inc. Hampton Wick Royal, Hampton Hill, Teddington Town) and it was our U13 host club Teddington CC that provided us with the pitch and the U11 NPL Cricket Club team who kindly occupied the opposition changing room.

2016_06_02_BPG_vs_NPLU11With half term taking its toll on the numbers of players the match resulted in an 8-a-side pairs game of 20 overs apiece. NPL Captain Milan Gurjral won the toss and chose to bat on this breezy and inclement evening, and it took opening bowlers Jess Low and Emma Bridge a little time to warm up. Once both had found their rhythm it was Low who struck with a brace of wickets. Bushy Park Girls found life easier thereafter with Captain Millie MacEacharn and Vice-captain Pubudika Punchihewa bowling well, with a rattle of the stumps for Punchihewa.

We often express our pride at the team ethic and spirit at BPG (and NPL CC too) and this night was no exception, both Captain and Vice-captain marshalled their troops well and gave their younger charges the opportunity to shine. Edie Proud and Priya Chana bowled 2 good overs each before a double strike by Hannah Mitchell stopped the momentum of the plundering NPLCC boys. Paige Goodwin (2 wickets) is proving to be one of the ‘finds’ of the season, with her hard work over the winter she has developed into one of those cricketers you can throw the ball (or bat) to in any situation. Thank you to Punchihewa and Low for stepping in to keep wicket at short notice.

In response NPLCC boys bowled accurately and with purpose, and despite a fine opening partnership from MacEacharn and Punchihewa the other pairs found it hard work to shift the ball off the square. In fact all the girls lost their wicket at least once except Proud who was resolute in the middle order.

The cricket match was all merely a side show of course. Not only was this a fight between cricketing siblings but also a head-to-head between brother and sister Amar and Priya Chana. The intensity of the battle brought out the best in both sides (and siblings) and it was ultimately Amar’s team who took the laurels, winning by 30 runs. Congratulations to the U11 NPLCC boys and thank you to our umpires Min and David, and scorers Natalie and Jacqs.

 

 

 

 

Royals Rained off

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33%_2016_05_09_BPG_vs_HWRU13aLast Monday (09/05/2016) Bushy Park Girls took on their park neighbours Hampton Wick Royal CC U13 in the competitive boys league. Unfortunately the clouds that threatened the game eventually played their part in curtailing a match which promised to be a stern test for both sides. It was a first casualty to rain this season and obviously we hope it will be the last.

Bushy Park Girls’ captain and vice-captain batted first on the Kings Field strip with Ellie Lord (C) and Amelie Munday (VC) opening against a tidy spell from the Royals. The first sprinkling of rain in the air spiced up the pitch, creating a variable and awkward bounce from the Home Park End. It was Munday who succumbed first to HWR opening bowler Ralph as she attempted a stylish flick off the hip. Lord was the rock of the innings with a range of powerful and measured strokes. Such was her strength and timing that the umpire had to rescue the match ball from the busy A308 road before she was out for a fine 25. Millie MacEacharn took a steady turn at No.3 while both Phoebe Head and Abi Avery were stranded on 5* and 15* respectively by the time the rain came. It was an unfortunate ending to what appeared to be a fine start for Bushy Park Girls who reluctantly walked away from the match on 73 for 3 after 10 overs.

33%_2016_05_09_BPG_vs_HWRU13Thank you to Hampton Wick Royals CC for hosting us and all the girls/parents who came out to play/watch but were destined to huddle under the horse chestnuts to keep dry. As always thanks to umpire Ben Bartlett and scorers Jo Lord and Amy Coppola.

David v Goliath (and Jesus plays for Twickenham!)

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“It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me. And I’m feeling good”

Today started a new chapter in BPG history as for the first time we took on an official fixture against a boys team on a beautiful sunny May evening. And not just any team but Twickenham boys U13 who play in Div 2 of the West Middlesex League. They turned up with a full squad of U13 boys, including a powerful switch-hitter from Afghanistan.

David v Goliath? It certainly looked like it might be that way as our team of mostly U12 and U13 warmed up.

Twickenham won the toss and confidently put us into bat. Abi and Amelie opened the batting and both got off the mark in the first over with no alarms. But in the next over Abi was bowled (its all your fault dad!) prompting Molly to stride to the wicket. Amelie and Molly negotiated the next few overs with some crisp shots from Amelie before she called for a run, but picked the wrong fielder who threw down the stumps and we were 2 down. Phoebe and Molly set up trying to repair the damage before the girls picked out another wrong fielder and the stumps went down again. This time it was Molly making the long walk back. Emily came to the crease and hit some confident shots but could not pierce the field. She hit another good one and this time went for the run. Sadly one of those pesky wrong fielders was lurking (Do I detect a pattern here? – Ed) and yet again the stumps went down. If nothing else it was clear Twickenham practised their fielding! Either that or it was divine inspiration from the self styled Jesus who moved in mysterious ways through the outfield.

18 – 4 and things didn’t look good but Phoebe and Millie Mac doubled the score hitting some fine boundaries before the colossus from Kabul struck to bowl MM. Phoebe kept going to record the highest score in the innings but wickets fell regularly at the other end and then once Phoebe was bowled it wasn’t clear that we would bat our full quota of overs. But the last pair of Jess and Ella took us through to the 20th over before one of those pesky fielders sprung up again to end our innings. 65 all out. It was going to take some good bowling and fielding to defy the mighty Twickers.

BPGu13_vs_Twickenham_5_5_16Jess opened the bowling against their big switch-hitter who took some huge swings to the first 2 balls but missed them before edging the 3rd into a gap. The other opener clearly thought he could do better and tried another big shot first ball sending the ball oh so high into the evening sky. As gravity sent it back towards earth Abi got herself underneath and snaffled the catch (we will just ignore the technique ). Switcheroo then made his intentions clear by slogging the next 2 balls to the boundary. Ella bowled a tight over before Jess came back to grab a second wicket as Millie Mac grabbed the chance. 14-2 and we were in the game. The girls chatter increased. Ella crunched a ball into the No 4s thankfully strong protector prompting some smiles and giggling. However the runs started to flow as Switchy mixed slogs with classy reverse hits. The introduction of Sadie, resplendent in her new kit, stemmed the flow and Switchy tried one wristy stroke too many and was out LBW. Sadie quickly followed up by bowling the No 5. Paige, Molly and Abi then all bowled well, and there were a few balls in the air ,and a few close calls for run outs (we didn’t have Jesus in the field to help us!) but we just didn’t quite have enough runs to play with. Iris, Molly and Paige did a sterling job patrolling the boundary but the outfield was fast for May and this time, sadly, Goliath defeated David.

But David will be back all the better for the experience. It is a new dawn for BPG and I for one feel good about that performance. We bowled and fielded well (not a single wide!) and with a bit more luck would have scored a few more runs. The margins between winning and losing were not as great as the scores indicate and I think we can take a lot of plus points from the game. Well done girls!

Thanks again to Ben for umpiring, Alban for scoring and everyone for coming down to support. And lastly Happy Birthday to Erin on her birthday today and Iris on her birthday tomorrow (or today by the time you read this!)

Beware HWR as David’s sling is primed and ready………

Danni Warren joins BPG coaching staff

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Danni_Warren_2aBushy Park Girls CC are proud to announce the latest appointment to their coaching staff for the 2016 summer season. Middlesex coach Danni Warren will be joining the under 13 & 15 teams in her new role at the Teddington based club. Warren retired as a Middlesex Player last year, signing off in style with 4/55 vs Warwickshire Women. Her cricketing journey has seen her play locally for Gunnersbury WCC and now she is both a playing member of the MCC and Finchley Gunns CC.

Her experience and bowling skills will be a great benefit to the growing numbers of players at Bushy Park Girls. With ‘List A’ best bowling figures of 3-6 (T20) and 5-20 (limited overs) BPG president Natalie Raja is buoyant about the future of girl’s cricket in Bushy Park, “Danni’s cricketing experience is an invaluable asset to our club but she will also be a great role model and inspiration to all the girls who enjoy their cricket with us.”

Danni_Warren_1a
Danni Warren (centre) with the Middlesex Women’s team

Warren has been working with the Middlesex County Girls sides since 2006, having previously coached the U13’s & U15’s she is now in charge of the U19 squad.  For the past 6 years she has delivered the Emerging Player Programme at Middlesex. The programme aims to develop home-grown talent so that they  can be recruited onto the professional staff and ultimately to have successful playing careers at List A and First Class level.

Away Win at Wembley

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The FA cup final, an England game, the Summertime Ball?. No it was bigger and far more important than any of those. Hail, sleet and snow were banished to Jack Frost’s artic home as Bushy Park Girls U13s arrived at Wembley for their first league game of the season within sight of the iconic stadium arch. The sun shone bright as spring had finally arrived. “When proud-pied April, dress’d in all his trim,  Hath put a spirit of youth in every thing” (Bonus points to all girls who can identify the writer! I will be testing you next match J)

Wembley were missing some players so put the spirited youth of BPG into bat and quickly made a breakthrough when Paige got a good one in the first over. An early stutter but Wembley hopes of a shock were quickly banished as Molly and Abi set about their bowling putting on close to 80 in just 8 overs. Emily and Evie replaced them as they retired to take a well earned rest and Emily continued in the same vein as she soon cracked the ball to the boundary

Wembley chopped and changed their bowling with some success but the runs continued to flow as our girls stole runs and with the final overs approaching Jess and Martha punished the attack to push our total up to a formidable 140.

The Wembley openers faced up to the opening bowling of Martha and Paige as the sun rose higher and warmer in the sky. Their bowling was fierce and accurate .Martha striking twice leaving them just 5-2 after 4 overs. Iris replaced them and soon prompted an edge that was competently snaffled by captain Jess behind the stumps.

BPGu13_vs_Wembley_1_05_2016The Wembley girls were reeling and the BPG bowlers tightened the screw as accurate bowling from Emma S and Emma B and then Priya, Evie and Molly pushed them further behind the required rate. Then a double strike by Emily!  First bowling the Wembley opener and then enticing an edge for Jess, making her wicket keeping debut, to take a fine catch behind the stumps. Abi finished proceedings by bowling their last player and the game was over. BPG win by 112 runs. 2 wins out of 2 for our girls and the first league win of the season!

It was an excellent performance from all the girls and a really good start to the season. Thank you to Ben for umpiring, Alban for scoring and to all the girls who took their turn helping field for our opposition. Lastly it was great to see so many supporters cheering the girls from the sidelines. Let us hope the weather stays as fair and fine for the rest of the summer.

MA.

First game of the summer(?)

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Bushy Park Girls Cricket Club under 13s started their 2016 summer season with a hard fought win over Ealing Cricket Club yesterday (25/04/2016). Although there were battling performances throughout both teams the real opponent on this murky and chilly evening in Ealing was the weather itself.

33%_25_04_2016_BPG_vs_Ealing
Warming up with Sandeep

Bushy Park Girls CC who were captained by Amelie Munday (vice captain Phoebe Head) batted first and scored 71 for 8 wickets in their 15 overs. The conditions weren’t ideal for batting with bad light and rain in the air. Opening for BPG, Munday top scored for her team while Molly Bartlett was second highest run scorer. Alice Harvey on her debut batted well and was retired Not Out. Another notable debut was from Priya Chana.

 

Ealing were curtailed by some accurate bowling from the Bushy Park Girls and once they dispatched their opponent’s top order they took the upper hand. Sadie Day and Jessamy Low opened the bowling against some aggressive early batting from Ealing, it was Low’s two wickets in two balls which put Ealing onto the back foot. Thereafter the accuracy of bowling from Emma Nunn, Paige Goodwin and Erin Goodwin kept Ealing to 63 for 3 in 15 overs and gave BPG their first win of the summer season. A special mention must go to Simrat Khaira who was the only girl to bowl a maiden in the whole match.

Both sides will have benefited from this friendly, giving the girls their first taste of hardball competition in what has been an early season of unpredictable weather. The words of poet Thomas Tusser  (1524-1580) come to mind ‘Sweet April showers do spring May flowers’. The girls will grow stronger for the experience and will blossom in the months to come.

Thank you to Ealing CC for hosting us, the girls who played, parents and especially Sandeep Khaira for scoring the match.