Women and Girls' Cricket

Essex U17s v Hertfordshire U17s

Saturday, 4th June 2005 saw Essex womens U17s open their season with a win over Herts by 2 wickets at Thundridge Cricket Club. Herts won the toss and elected to bat on a very slow wicket. The Essex bowlers quickly tore through the Herts card who were reduced to 40 for 9 in the 18th over with Lauren EVANS returning figures of 5overs, 2 maidens, 3 for 9 and Jackie HILTON 5.3overs 5 for 15. Unfortunately Herts “last man” was not so easy to remove and they put on 33 for the last wicket, posting a total of 73.

Essex got off to a slow start in reply with one of the openers going in the second over. Kim FEASTER (11) and Emma HONEY (16) steadied the ship before a slight collapse reduced Essex to 53 for 7. Laura KNIGHT restored optimism with a fighting 12 before being caught, and at 69 for 8 there was a look of nervousness amongst the parents/spectators. Three overs later Essex managed to add only 2 to the score before Hayley LAW wrapped it up with a pull shot for 4.

Not vintage cricket but a win nevertheless which should set the team up for the next match against Cambridgeshire on 25th June at Papworth CC.