Congratulations to our U13 girls who won the Oxfordshire Lady Taverners Festival at Cokethorpe School today.
What makes it all the more remarkable was half the squad were U11’s and 7of the 9 girls we took had never experienced this festival before.
We were drawn in a league against Aston Rowant, Charlbury and Cumnor. The format of the day is 8-a-side, 8 overs per innings with wides/no balls counting as 2 runs and only an extra ball for these in the final over.
In our 1st game we restricted Rowant to 18 for 3. Wicket takers were Emily Ong, our guest from Sandford, Charlotte Boland, and Charlotte Hayes. In reply we amassed 65 for 2, with Emily getting to 18 NO.
In the 2nd game, Charlbury batted 1st. With an unbelievable 2 wides bowled against them they could only get to 28 runs for 3. Charlotte Hayes, Kiren Bilkhu & Charlotte Boland were the wickettakers. In reply Chloe Whinmill (9 NO) & Charlotte Hayes (7 NO) batted through the overs to see us home, finishing on 42 without loss of a wicket.
In our final league game, Cumnor put us in to bat and skipper Charlotte Boland, getting her first opportunity to bat, raced to 21 NO so retired. We finished on 59 for 0. In reply Cumnor had a chance until their captain and opener, Annabel, was bowled, and they eventually reached 34 for 4, with Emily Ong taking 2 wickets, and Amy Freeman & Charlotte Boland one apiece.
So to the final against a very strong Shipton side who had 4 County U13’s amongst them. Put into bat we got to a credible 45 for 3 with Emily Ong finshing on 18 NO. In return, after 4 overs Shipton only had 17 on the board. Then after 6 overs they had 35 so needed less than a run a ball and with 6 balls left they only needed 4 to win. It was left to Emily to bowl the final over and after 4 balls Shipton had lost a further 2 wickets and only scored 1 run so 3 needed off 2 balls. A 2 off the penultimate ball meant a scrambled single would do it but Emily squeezed out a dot ball and so the scores were tied with Banbury being crowned champions on fewer wickets lost.
A remarkable end to a brilliant day. Many thanks to all of the girls who played for us on the day and the 3 who represented Aston Rowant without question, when they required an extra player. Also thanks to Duncan Dawes and Harriet Boland for scoring, and to all the parents for their support, including the "Wide" dance!!! It was a wonderful Fathers Day present for the dad’s I’m sure. Just one negative, they’ve prolonged my retirement but here’s looking forward to the Regionaal finals in Hampshire in early August!!!