2nd August 2012
| Mallory Gray
The tournament was organised as a round robin competition, with each team playing each other, based on the pairs cricket format, with 4 pairs batting in an 8 over game, with 5 runs deducted for every wicket lost.
In Newport’s first game they played Lisvane. Newport batted first and with Amy Harris, Paige Curtis, Charlotte Scarborough and Jess Thornton all hitting boundary’s Newport posted a useful total of 245-2 (235). The Newport girls bowled really well, with Vicky Clarke, Jess Thornton and Amy Harris all bowling maidens. With Amy and Paige claiming wickets, Lisvane soon slipped well behind the required run rate, eventually finishing on 223-2 (213). Newport winning their first match by 22 runs.
Next game for Newport was against Pembroke side Narbeth, who batted first. Excellent bowling by Charlotte Scarborough 2 wickets, Paige Curtis 1 wicket and Catrin Phillips 1 wicket, and good back up bowling from Lauren Chambers and Gabby Mould left Narbeth in real trouble and their innings closed on 225-4 (205). However, the Narbeth bowling was really good and made the Newport girls fight hard for every run. With 3 wickets lost it was not until the final pair of Jess Thornton and Catrin Phillips got together, that Newport actually got in front of the low Narbeth score. With steady heads, Jess and Catrin played cautiously, without losing the vital wicket to see Newport home by a narrow 4 run margin, ending on 224-3 (209). Newport winning by just 4 runs.
The final game saw the Newport girls play Cardiff, both teams unbeaten to date, so effectively the final. Cardiff batted first, but Newport saved their best display till last, beginning with 3 maiden overs from Charlotte Scarborough, Amy Harris and Jess Thornton, who also claimed a wicket, sending Cardiff reeling to a dismal start. Further good bowling from Vicky Clarke, Gabby Mould and Paige Curtis kept the Cardiff score in check, with just 210-1 (205) scored with the last pair to bat. The last Cardiff pair made some recovery, but with Amy Harris claiming another wicket the Cardiff innings closed on 228-2 (218). In reply, the Newport batters soon took control Amy Harris and Vicky Clarke getting Newport off to a good start scoring 209-0, while Paige Curtis and Gabby Mould continued the good work taking the score past the Cardiff total on 219-0. Still with everything to play for, 3rd pair Charlotte Scarborough and Bethany Proctor, took the game beyond Cardiff’s hopes as they took the Newport score to 231-0. It was left to Jess Thornton and Catrin Phillips to bat sensibly to see Newport home to their best score of the day 240-0 (240). Newport winning by 22 runs.
An excellent day’s cricket ended with the young Newport girls’ being crowned Welsh Champions. Newport now go on to represent Wales in the Midland Regional Finals, at Woeley Hill Cricket Club in Birmingham. on Monday, July 23rd .
Newport Team
Jessica Thornton (Capt.), Charlotte Scarborough, Amy Harris, Gabby Mould, Paige Curtis, Vicky Clarke, Catrin Phillips, Bethany Proctor, Lauren Chambers.