Despite the fantastic weekend of cricket for the club (two promotions, the U17’s reaching their County Final, and nearly topped off by the 1st team only just losing the County Cup) the most eagerly awaited fixture of the season, the battle of the Girls/Women’s team v their Parents was held at Whitepost Road yesterday.
The girls openers, Jessica Austin & Lauren Caiger, pushed singles around in the early overs, with Lauren first to go run out for 13. Amy Freeman quickly followed, caught at fine leg by dad Gary (who thereafter kept his head down to avoid the daggered looks) off the bowling of Tracy Caiger. After drinks Mark Austin swapped wicket keeping duties for ball to try and remove daughter Jessica but only succeeded in bowling the dangerous Chloe Whinmill for 2. This brought her sister Harriet to the crease who promptly battered the bowling to all parts and retired (28 NO) quickly followed by opener Jessica, caught by dad Mark off Lewis Caiger (a "parent" for the day), having made a slow but important 18. This brought the Boland sisters, Harriet & Charlotte, together, against the bowling of their parents. The girls won that battle as they finished not out on 11 & 9 respectively with the girls total score being 109 for 4 off their 30 overs.
In reply, Mark Austin (25 NO), opened with Gary Freeman, retiring in the 7th over although he should have gone sooner giving the girls catching practice and after knicking a superb ball from Harriet Boland which the keeper missed. Mark Boland came in and scored 6 off two lusty blows but was bowled by a beauty from Harriet Whinmill. Debutant Julia Austin (2), hung around with Gary for a few overs before Charlotte Boland clean bowled her, and Aaron Austin (2) was caught by Harriet Boland off the bowling of Tamsin Dolamore to be replaced by Christine Boland, another debutant. Gary quickly retired (26 NO) and Tracy Caiger was run out without scoring. Debbie Freeman joined Christine to stem the collapse and in her first ever game picked off some singles before being caught by daughter Amy (revenge for earlier perhaps) off the bowling of Alicia Richardson for 7. Dave Caiger and Christine, seeing the run rate creeping towards 5 an over, decided to attack the bowling and between them promptly saw the parents home inside 27 overs.
Thank you to all who played in the match and especially thanks to Ryan Freeman for umpiring, Gillian Whinmill for organising drinks, and the girls in the Pavilion for a lovely tea. Hopefully we can make this an annual fixture.
And well done to the men for their two promotions, a great achievement and thoroughly deserved. Good luck to the U17’s in the Final too.