Banbury’s Women have played their 1st ever matches:
- Great Horwood Ladies 6-a-side (Sunday 21st June)
- Away to Middleton Cheney (Sunday 5th July)
Great Horwood
This event started off badly with a sickness drop-out on the morning & having to leave early to avoid the British Grand Prix traffic. However, when we got there we were joined by Babs from Brackley for the day to bring us up to 6.
The cricket didn’t start much better either against Charlbury with the 1st over going for 17. However, after Lois Symington’s excellent next over only going for a couple of runs, their self-confidence rocketed. Charlbury finished with 38 after 5 overs. In reply, we scored 31, losing by only 7 runs.
Defending champions, and eventual winners, Kempston were next. We achieved an impressive 29 for the loss of only 1 wicket. They reached the target in just under 4 overs. This was no disgrace as Kempston scored 60 & 53 in the semi & final respectively.
In the final game Great Horwood B, batting 1st, managed 29. Emma Wren & Coral Reeves, chased the score down in under 4 overs. The celebrations in winning their 1st game were not of the Strictly standards!!!!
Thanks to Great Horwood for a great tournament, Babs from Brackley fro being a Banbury lady for the day, Paul & Brian for being chauffeurs, umpires & support staff & to the ladies (Gillian Taylor, Lois Symington, Laura Reeves, Coral Reeves – at only 12 years, the baby of the team – and Emma Wren),for their efforts and enthusiasm throughout the day. The running between the wickets, working the ball into spaces, bowling & fielding were excellent. throughout. The dancing & celebrations need working on though!!!
Middleton Cheney game
In their 1st ever full match the ladies travelled to Middleton Cheney with a squad of 10 (note – we had 15 women & girls unavailable to play) including 2 last minute recruits.
Put into bat 1st we posted 118 for 9 off 30 overs with Gillian Taylor top scoring with 36 and 12 year old Coral Reeves (15 Not Out), ably supported by Vicky (4 Not Out), putting on 30 odd for the final wicket.
In reply, Middleton started badly with our skipper Linda Wren bowling her counterpart off the 3rd ball of their 1st over & another wicket also falling in that opening over. Jenny Csecs & Laura Webb each also took 2 wickets in miserly spells with sisters Laura & Coral Reeves also pitching in with a wicket apiece. Middleton were bowled out for 81 in the 24th over & WE WON our 1st ever game. Overall, our fielding was superb, with Lauren Whiting’s backing up especially noteworthy, very few runs given away, and the enthusiasm & support of one another.
Thanks to Louise Budd for her recruitment skills & scoring on the day, albeit some lessons may be needed in this area!!! Also thanks to Brian for umpiring & managing the team, Middleton Cheney for being our 1st opponents & their teas (don’t tell Meggers!!!), and to the ladies for all their efforts.