16th September 2013
| Mallory Gray
Squad
: Izzy Berry (Capt), Tabby Attwood, Sophie Bignall, Sian Carrel, Laura Dixon,
Rose Evans, Thea Huckle, Georgia Parfitt, Ella Reed, Nicole Reid, Christina
Shaw.
Newport Cricket Club’s highly talented U15 girl cricketers, lost at the final hurdle when they were beaten by Walmley (Midlands) in the Final of the UK Lady Taverners U15 T20 Cup at Leamington Cricket Club.
In the semi-final against a very strong Ansty team from Sussex, the Newport Girls played some of their best cricket of the season to completely demolish the much fancied Ansty team. Batting first, Newport scored an excellent 155-4 from their allotted 20 overs, the highlight of the innings being an 86 run opening partnership off just 11 overs between Georgia Parfitt and Rose Evans, before Parfitt was out for a very good 24. Although Rose Evans was out shortly afterwards for an excellent 57 in 37 balls, at 97-2 the foundation had been set for a big score. With further contributions from Ella Reed (30 n.o.) and Izzy Berry (19) who featured in a 4th wicket partnership of 40, Newport reached a very good 155-4 total. The batting performance was of the highest class and put Newport in a dominant position.
Facing the large total, the Ansty girls were put under severe pressure and good bowling, aided by excellent fielding paid immediate reward, with both of Ansty’s main players Tia Penny (1) and Captain Ellen Burt (1) both out as Ansty slumped to 5-2. It was a long way back for Ansty and the Newport bowlers quickly grasped the initiative, with further wickets falling at regular intervals.
Ansty crumbled to 50-6. It was left to Flora Bertwhistle (39 not ou to offer respectability to the innings as Ansty were all out for 83, to leave Newport winners by 72 runs. Nicole Reid was the pick of the Newport Bowlers with 2-18, but everyone bowled well.
In the UK Final, Newport faced Walmley, the Midlands Regional winners who had beaten Banbury by 9 wickets in their semi final. Newport were again put into bat and were in immediate trouble, losing Rose Evans and Nicole Reid for just 8 runs. A partnership of 31 between Georgia Parfitt and Ella Reed started to address the problem. However, when Reed was out for 18 at 39-3, a collapse set in. Only Georgia Parfitt (26) showed her true batting quality and although the team scored at 7 runs an over, Newport were bowled all out for a disappointing 68 in just 10.2 overs.
The strength of the team throughout the season had deserted them at the most vital stage, with the absence of the usual batting discipline and shot selection contributing to their downfall. The Walmley bowlers bowled well with wickets being shared 2 apiece by Chaundy, Brazier and Ballinger.Faced with the daunting prospect of defending 68 on a very good wicket, the Newport Girls tried desperately hard, but Walmley ran out comfortable 9 wicket victors to claim the UK Lady Taverners T20 Cup.
Although disappointed in defeat,, becoming UK Lady Taverners, Runners Up was a fantastic achievement and everyone involved in the Club is very proud of their performances