Newport Girls Gain Welsh Cup Double

Newport U13 Girls’ Cricket Club emulated their U11 counterparts by winning the U13 Lady Taverner’s Welsh Cup at Newport Fugitives ground recently.

Five teams had progressed through to the Welsh Final’s Day with Cardiff, Lisvane, Whitland and Neath joining Newport. The tournament was based on a round-robin event, with each game being played with 12 overs per side.

Newport played local rivals Cardiff in their first game and restricted them to just 34-6 off their 12 overs. Thea Huckle claimed a match winning 3 wkts for 6 runs, while Sophie Osborn took     2 wickets for 3 runs. Newport easily passed the Cardiff total for the loss of just 1 wicket, with Sophie Osborn retiring on 21 and Rose Evans 13 not out.

In the second game Newport played Whitland (Pembroke). The Newport Girls were put into bat and scored an impressive 93-1 off 12 overs. Three of the Newport batsmen retired after scoring 20, (Georgia Parfitt 20, Rose Evans 20 and Sophie Osborn 21). The score proved far too many for Whitland, who put up a spirited reply in scoring 51-8, leaving Newport winners by 42 runs. Jess Thornton 2 wickets for 17 runs, was the pick of the bowlers, along with Thea Huckle, Sophie Osborn, Alyx Emmott and Megan Atkins who all claimed a wicket. The real performance of the match was by the Newport fielders who caught and fielded superbly with Megan Atkins and Rose Evans claiming vital run outs with direct throws.

Newport’s third game was against unbeaten Lisvane. Lisvane batted first but could not cope against the bowling of Sophie Osborn, who opened the bowling and bowled three wicket maidens, claiming 3 wickets for 0 runs. Thea Huckle and Megan Atkins also claimed a wicket each and Lisvane could only manage a total of 43-5 off their allotted 12 overs. Newport in reply immediately took command with openers Georgia Parfitt 16 and Rose Evans 20 ret. Scoring 31 off just 4 overs. Sophie Osborn scored a quick 14 to see Newport home for the loss of just 2 wickets.

Newport’s final game was against Neath, a win meaning Newport would be Welsh Champions. Newport were put into bat and produced their best performance of the day. Rose Evans 22 ret., Georgia Parfitt 21 ret., and Sophie Osborn 21ret., along with Megan Simkins 16 not out posted a formidable total of 93-0 off their 12 overs. Neath in reply had no response and could only manage 48-4 at the close. Megan Simkins rounded off a great display claiming 2 wickets for 7 runs.

The win meant the Newport girls had retained the U13 Lady Taverner’s Welsh Cup, having previously won the Cup the previous season. There were many outstanding performances during the tournament, Aimee Watson keeping wicket well, while Rose Evans was the top run scorer throughout the day with 79 runs. However, Sophie Osborn was undoubtedly the Lady of the Tournament with outstanding contributions in every game. Over the course of the tournament she took 7 wickets for just 6 runs, with her last 5 overs of the competition being maidens or wicket maidens. While in batting she scored an excellent 77 runs in her 4 innings.

Having become Welsh Champion, the Newport Girls’ progressed to the South West Regional Finals in Exeter. Unfortunately, the date clashed with holidays, but despite being without Sophie Osborn and Rose Evans, the young Newport Girl’s came a very creditable 3^rd in the competition, only losing the tournament on run rate. Three teams Newport, Banbury and Finchampstead all finishing level on points. Newport having lost their only game to eventual winners Banbury, whilst they beat Finchampstaed, Taunton, Bovey Tracey and Bristol.