Batting first, Ashford once again got off to a poor start, three wickets down with the score on only 11. However, Gill Bonham was in good form, and got the innings back on course, finding the boundary with ease. Hannah Merchant was the first to give her support, then Angharad Purser took over, and when Bonham was out for a fine 38, the score had moved on to 88. Purser continued to attack the bowling, and was unbeaten at the end, scoring 35, and taking her side to a respectable total of 151 from their 45 overs.

It was to be a frustrating time for Ashford in the field. The bowlers were on form, beating the bat and finding the edge, but for once they were not backed up by their fielders, with numerous catches put down. Despite this, wickets began to fall, Jenny Tippell and Yolandi Maynier removing the Shepperton openers. Ashford were keeping the scoring rate down, with a good field set by Captain Becky Halls, and excellent ground fielding, particularly by Hannah Merchant and Katie Butler. Finally the ball went to the safe hands of Maynier, who took a good low catch, just as the batsmen were beginning to increase the pace. Tippell then came back for a second spell, and took two wickets to leave Shepperton on 85-5. They were still in touch with the required rate, however, and Ashford knew that they needed to pick up more wickets if they were to secure the win. It was Elize Brown who put the result beyond doubt, with a devastating finish to her spell, taking four wickets for just three runs in her last three overs, the first to another excellent diving catch by Maynier. Sarah Taylor brought her side home with her first league wicket of the season, another good catch held, this time by Ali McCreedy.

Despite not playing at their best, Ashford never gave up, and their determination to succeed even when things were not going their way, brought them through to another thoroughly deserved win.

Alison McCreedy

Match details

Match date

Sun 08 Jun 2014

Kickoff

13:00

Location

Short Lane

Team overview