The Pink Army March On...

On a cold Tuesday evening Falkland U13 Girls looked to extend their 100% start to the season against a Newbury side looking to maintain their own unbeaten record. The toss was won by Falkland who decided to put Newbury in to bat first.

Newbury started with two boys in the Berkshire set up looking to score big at the start. The first wicket fell in the second over with Izzy clean bowling their main batter. The first pair managed to score 31 runs for their 4 overs. The next pair were going well too, but good fielding was making runs hard to come by, and wickets were coming at the right time, Catlin picking up an important wicket, before Millie struck twice in four balls. Falkland were fielding well, backing up, covering for each other, and picking up wickets in clusters. Amelia picking up two wickets in two balls, she also executed a lovely run out too. The final wicket to fall was to Isabel, with Newbury setting a challenging 278 (113 for 7)

As with their batting Newbury went out strong from the get go, using their best four bowlers against Catlin and Cordi, Both girls were dismissed in the second over, but then started to bat with more confidence and improving their calling. The score was looking good, until they lost two wickets to the last two balls of their partnership. Finishing on 201. The next pair of Isabelle and Millie batted sensibly, with some really nice cricket shots on show, only losing one wicket, and at the end of their four overs Falkland were on 216. To stand a chance runs were needed and wickets need to be protected. Isabel and Amelia came out to face the Newbury attack. The girls batted well but unfortunately lost three wickets in their overs, taking our score to 224 with two pairs left to bat.

Izzy and Lucy were the next pair in - the Newbury manager used his strong bowlers again, hoping to take the game away from Falkland, after hitting a four Lucy was dismissed, and things didn't look good for the girls, their 100% record looked in real trouble. But Lucy and Izzy dug deep, Izzy hitting two big fours on the way to a match saving partnership. With four overs left Falkland were now 244, needing 35 to win. Up stepped Sienna and Grace, and Newbury had no answers. Both Grace and Sienna punished every bad ball they faced, hitting big fours and sneaking singles at will. Grace finished on an impressive 13 and Sienna on brilliant 17, as Falkland finished on 287 (132 for 9)

Ian Gibson, Girls U13 coach commented, "I say it at the end of every game, Teamwork, Teamwork, Teamwork. These girls are a team, whoever is selected steps up and performs, they continuously encourage each other and have great support from their parents on the side lines.

"The Pink Army march on!"