Ashford Ladies v Rowledge Ladies

Ashford consolidated their position at the top of Division 2 with a comprehensive victory over Rowledge at Short Lane. Rowledge got off to a flyer, scoring 33 from the first four overs, but after Jenny Tippell had removed both openers in her first spell, they began to struggle. Tiff Skinner bowled well, unlucky not to claim a wicket, and Rhianna Southby conceded only 11 off three overs. Becky Halls got her fielders in just the right positions to dry up the runs, with Sarah Taylor leading the way, as usual, and Brazilian Helena Dias made a fine debut for Ashford. The pressure led to some poor calls in the middle, and a run out looked inevitable. It was Yolandi Maynier’s throw which brought the first, soon followed by another, thanks to Katie Brown. Ali McCreedy joined the attack, and picked up Ashford’s next wicket when wicket keeper Katie Butler took a fine catch, running round in front of the stumps. The pair struck again in McCreedy’s next over, Butler whipping off the bails for a stumping this time. Tippell finished off the Rowledge innings with another run out, leaving Katy Robinson unbeaten on 38.

Ashford’s target was 92 off 40 overs, and after a steady start, Katie Butler got after the bowling, well supported by Beth Evans. The pair put on 55 before Evans fell to a fine one-handed catch above her head by bowler Sophie Cooper. Butler played beautifully, finding the boundary with ease on her way to her first 50 for Ashford. Jenny Tippell kept the scoring going from the other end, and the pair brought their side home with more than twenty overs to spare, Butler finishing on 61, off only 59 balls.

Alison McCreedy