128
County Representative Girls
Warwickshire Under 11
The season started with a tough away trip to a well drilled
Staffordshire side, having won the toss we stuck Staffs in
and despite some tight bowling up front Staffs scored 114-5
of their 30 overs with Lois, Rebecca and Liz picking up the
wickets. This was going to be a tough chase, with only Lois
and Kate reaching double figures, we fell short by 53 runs.
Next up was a home fixture against Staffs at Four Oaks
Saints; with one aim to improve on the previous performance
and that we did, despite another loss the girls showed
glimpses of what they were capable of. Staffs won the toss
and no surprise stuck us in. Batting performances from
Lois, Mary and Ffion took us to a much more defendable
121-7. Despite some tight bowling up front by Lois and
Sophie picking themselves up a wicket each Staffs just about
reached the target in the 29 over with three wickets to spare.
Derbyshire were the visitors to Weoley Hill for the next
home game and unfortunately our batting performance did
not reflect the ability in our side with only Laura 36 and Nicole
15* offering any resistance. Defending 96 was a tough ask
and although Laura, Rebecca and Kate picking up 2 wickets
apiece Derbys achieved the target in 17 overs for the loss of
six wickets.
The eagerly awaited Malvern Festival was next up for
the girls with fixtures once again versus Staffordshire.
Shropshire and Northamptonshire were the other opposition.
Our opening fixture was a baptism of fire for the girls a 10
wicket loss to Staffs with the only significant contribution bat
or ball coming from Ffion 23. A convincing 7 wicket loss to
Shropshire in a rain reduced 10 over slog with Nicole taking
2 wickets being the only significant contribution. The next day
we achieved our first win, sticking Northants in we restricted
them to 67 with a wicket for Sophie in her usual economic
spell 3-1-1-1 pick of the bowlers was Kate with 9-3 reaping
the benefits of bowling full and straight. Contributions from
Ffion 11 and Laura 26 saw us home in 15 overs. What turned
out to be the final game at Malvern we faced Staffs once
again and despite a much improved batting performance
with Laura carrying her bat for 28* we finished with 102 all
out with two overs remaining. Staffs comfortably reached the
target in 15 overs losing only one wicket to Victoria.
Last game of the season was Northants’ visit to Weoley
Hill. Despite returning captain Lois losing the toss and being
asked to bat we went about it positively and a great opening
partnership between Lois 40 and Ffion 25* plus a quick
fire 10 runs from Sophie amassed a total of 96 in a game
reduced to 25 overs. Once again a tight opening partnership
from Sophie and captain Lois stifled Northants from the start
Kate picked up another couple of economical wickets 4-2-9-2
with other bowlers chipping in but Lois returning for a second
spell being pick of the bowlers leading from the front with
the best figures of anyone all season Lois 5-1-12-5 leaving
Northants 87 all out.
Overall the girls progressed well throughout the season
and with some more match practice and bringing all three
disciplines together in one game they will do themselves
justice. Thanks go to Andy for his work throughout the winter
and summer, the parents for their continued support during
the season, especially those who helped me out scoring.
Finally a thanks to Weoley Hill and Four Oaks Saints both of
whose hospitality was second to none.
Warwickshire Under 13
After a successful winter training, tempered by the injury
to Isobel Holden which saw her side-lined until the Malvern
Festival in August, a squad was picked of 14 players, with
Grace Ballinger the captain.
Warks 105, Wales 106 for 6
Sarah arranged a friendly against Wales at Bablake
school, this gave us an opportunity to assess a number of
players we had had previously seen in a game situation.
Oxon 114, Warks 69
The county competition got off to a poor start, the girls
looked totally undercooked losing to Oxfordshire, and it was
just that we lost the game as opposed to them winning.
Warks 179 for 8, Northants 34
Notts 63, Warks 64 for no wicket
Warks 211 for 5, Notts 67
The team then went on a winning run which saw victories
against Northants, Oxon and 2 matches against Notts.
Warks 82, Bucks 84 for 8
We then came crashing down with a poor performance
against Bucks away which saw us lose in awful
circumstances.
Oxon 105, Warks 109 for 2
Our return fixture with Northants was cancelled due to
rain both myself and Sarah sent numerous emails, texts and
phone calls to rearrange game to no avail, it appeared to
both of us that they were avoiding playing our game (this
resulted in them being in with the chance of making the end
of season finals).
Our return fixture with Oxon was marred by an injury to
Isabella Bottrell-Campbell, who fractured her wrist diving for
the ball on the boundary, this saw two of our anticipated three
top order batsmen being out for a considerable number of
games.
Bucks 18, Warks 19 for 1
Return fixture against Bucks saw us bowl them out for 18
in a must win game, we knocked the runs off, losing only one
wicket.
As a result we made the end of season finals comfortably
on run rate.
Malvern gave us the opportunity to give some of the
fringe-players responsibility, with Ballinger and Wong away on
England duty, Isabella Bottrell-Campbell injured.
We lost all four games albeit with a weakened squad.
Plus points were Hannah Downs bowling and a welcome
return for Issy Holden albeit she was not 100 per cent fit (she
scored her maiden county 50 in the last game).
