Monday 19 July 2010

Wylam v Corbridge Angels

The continued improvement of Corbridge Angels was in evidence last Thursday when we battled valiantly against Wylam on their home pitch.  The end result saw Wylam winning by 40 runs, but the Angels put in their best batting score to date (thanks mainly to Lisa’s fantastic innings) and our best bowling attack by taking 5 wickets!
 
Wylam won the toss and batted.  They reached a total of 133 for 5 wickets
 
Our bowling was :
 
Sandra (4)           35           1 wicket
Chloe (5)              41           1 wicket               (caught by  Lisa)
Lisa (4)                  20          
Cheryl (5)            17           3 wickets             (1 catch by Sally)
Lizzy (2)                18          
 
These figures include 25 extras – 2 byes, 22 wides (ouch) and 1 no ball)! 
 
Fielders should note that if we catch a ball, it allows our bowler to notch up a wicket – so it is really important for us to back up our bowlers with our best fielding possible, and we all now know (as I keep reminding you) that wickets means points!  Our bowlers are all really determined to improve their run rates, and they need all the support from the fielders to ensure that balls can be stopped for 4 and keep the opposition runs at bay.  Special mention to Cheryl who looked as if she was starting her bowling quite badly by bowling some wides, but then blew Wylam (& Shelagh!) away with 3 tremendous overs from the other end of the field and was rewarded with 3 wickets as well as keeping their run rate down.  Sandra, Chloe & Lisa all contributed well in the bowling attack and a big pat on the back for our birthday girl Lizzie who bowled her first 2 overs in Ladies cricket and did really well. 
 
Our fielding showed signs of improvement (with a little help from the off field Eddy) to stop the fours and the ones.  Sarah took a bad knock on her chin (we hope the arnica worked!) but would not let it stop her throwing herself into the fielding with great gusto.  Tishy was reading the game really well from the short boundary line, as did Karen when she came on and did her stint as 9th player.
 
Batting:
 
Tishy                      bowled                 5
Lisa                         bowled                 47
Sally                       run out                 9
Cheryl                   bowled                 11
Sandra                  LBW                       4
Lizzy                       Bowled                 1
Sarah                     not out                 0
Chloe                    not out                 0
 
Wylam gave away 16 extras.
 
Lisa was so close to achieving a half century, and put in a tremendous personal performance to give Corbridge their best innings yet!  Sandra was very unfortunate in the LBW decision that the Wylam umpire awarded against her.  However, we can all feel very proud of this grand total of 93 for 6 wickets.  Giving us 4 points (2 for the 5 wickets and 2 for reaching over 75)
 
Well done all.  Special thanks to DAVE SMURTHWAITE for his endless patience and support as umpire / coach.  And Karen C as 9th player and all supporters who gave us much needed encouragement.
 

Tuesday 6 July 2010

Angels v Hexham Leazes

MONDAY 5TH JULY
HEXHAM LEAZES WON  by 58 RUNS.  They won the toss and chose to bat first!
BOWLING
Chloe    (5)                          38 runs                 0 wickets
Lisa         (4)                          23 runs                 0 wickets
Cheryl   (5)                          31 runs                 1 wickets (caught Karin Smurthwaite)
Sandra (4)                           21 runs                 0 wickets
Karen    (2)                          16 runs                 1 wicket
We only gave away 16 extras which was an improvement on the last match.  This gave them a total of 130 for us to chase ...
Well done Karen for getting a wicket on her first ball!  And to Karin for catching the ball from Cheryl’s bowl – it was an important wicket to stop Naomi Peck from increasing her total of 63 runs.

BATTING
Lisa                         Caught                  28
Sandra                  LBW                       6
Cheryl                   Bowled                 8
Sally                       Not out                22
Chloe                    Bowled                 1
Karen                    Not out                1                             

Our total of 72 again meant we were only 3 points away from earning that extra point!  Hexham allowed no let up in their bowling attack against us and incredibly positive fielding (we must learn from other teams positioning and good practice in the field!!!)  Overall we gave them a much better run for their money than the last match against them, where we managed to achieve a similar score, but this time it was because we scored the runs rather than taking extras from them  (they only gave away 6 extras).  It was the most competitive match we have had to face because this time they weren’t prepared to allow for our novice status!
Thanks to Stephen for umpiring and Aaron for scoring!
 

South North v Angels

ANGELS V SOUTH NORTHUMBERLAND AWAY ON TUESDAY 29TH JUNE
SOUTH NORTH WON BY 61 RUNS.
We won the toss and elected to field first ....
As we now approach the half way point with our matches, it is starting to dawn on us that we are possibly not as quite out of our depth in this ‘premier league’ as we initially thought.  With every match played, the Angels are becoming a little more confident and understanding the game a smidgeon more, even if we don’t know a googly from a yorker ... well what are they but just a few daft words that the men use!
BOWLING
Chloe    (5)                          21 runs                 1 wicket
Lisa         (5)                          34 runs                 0 wickets
Cheryl   (5)                          24 runs                 0 wickets
Karen    (3)                          26 runs                 1 wicket
Sally       (2)                          25 runs                 0 wicket
This includes 26  extras.   With having only 3 of our core bowlers, myself and Karen were quite expensive, which is understandable when it is our first bowling attempts in competitive cricket.  However, it was marvellous for Karen to get her first wicket and well done to Chloe too  – 2 wickets equals 1 point, and against teams at the top of the league we need to earn those points.   They had 4 terrific batters with one girl staying in for the whole 20 overs who had a great technique, and their number 3 batswoman faced only 11 balls and quickly  notched up a score of 27 runs before Chloe bowled her.  Their total of 132 was quite a big lead to chase ... 
BATTING                                             
Karin                      Caught                  3
Karen                    Bowled                 3
Chloe                    Caught                  4
Lisa                         Not out                19
Sally                       Not out                31
This total of 60 was increased  by 11 extras giving us a total of 71 – sadly 4 runs away from getting another point. 

The pitch at South North was amazing to play on and the opposition were incredibly sporting and supportive.  Sarah had a few opportunities to play on the field as 9th player and her efforts were much appreciated, and not forgetting Tishy, Kerry and Karin’s essential support in the field/wicket.  Without taking 9 players we cannot be a TEAM so whether fielding, bowling or batting every player’s contribution and support on and off the field is invaluable! 
Special thanks as always to Dave for umpiring, Eddy for coaching, Tim for scoring and our super loyal captain, Sandra, for coming along straight after work to chivvy us along.