Juniper Green Surrey Trust - Ashford Surrey Trust Ladies v Streatham & Marlborugh Ladies

Ashford’s first match in the gold division of the Surrey Trust league was played in miserable conditions at Short Lane. The visitors batted first, and found it difficult to score quickly – the wicket was very soft, and the outfield quite slow. Tammy Mattinson did well, keeping the scoreboard ticking over after the first wicket went down, a run out thanks to some fine fielding by Hannah Merchant. Another run our brought Ashford’s next wicket, quick thinking by keeper Katie Butler, rolling the ball down the wicket. Ashford fielded well, but struggled to pick up more wickets, until Butler reacted sharply to take a great catch from a bottom edge. A few attacking shots in the final overs took Streatham & Marlborough’s score to 90 from their 20 overs.

A heavy shower in the second over of Ashford’s reply looked like it might put an end to the game, but the players were eventually able to go back out, although it was clear that the rain was not far away. Jenny Tippell started to attack the bowling, and was able to find the boundary a couple of times on her way to the retirement score of 35, which she reached off 35 balls. Hannah Merchant scored a quick 10, then Becky Halls and Katie Butler took over, and got Ashford safely to their target in the 16th over, not a moment too soon, as the heavens opened again.

Two more games in this development league, both at Short Lane in the next two weeks.

Alison McCreedy