Sunday 18th May 2008

Mildenhall and their strangely familiar captain Mary Munley kindly stepped in to provide us with a friendly game this past Sunday, May 18. Mildenhall won the toss and used insider knowledge in their decision to put us into bat. NCI ladies were in short supply and with Naomi turning up nursing tonsilitis, a team of seven was all captains Sam and Lois could muster.

Lucy and Jan opened the batting and Lucy spectacularly avoided being run out on 1 when a Mildenhall fielder returned the ball into the back of her head. She then was bowled for 1. Gen came in next and top scored (other than a fine innings of 42 from Extras) with 14 but was run out by Tiff, but as she had already run Jan out (for a rapidly acquired 8), it seemed like poetic justice. Labieba was in next, running a lot of byes as well as her 2 runs. Sam 'leave the wides' Bowker took her own advice too seriously and left a straight one getting a golden duck, but as her hair wasn't right as she walked out to bat, is it any wonder? Naomi couldn't resist the opportunity and padded up in new NCI kit of jeans and a dress but retired after scoring three to roll back up in her blanket. Tiff advanced the score with a handy 10 and when she was out Lucy and then Sam snuck in for second goes. Lois was unbeaten at the end of the innings to leave NCI with a total of 84 runs off 25 overs.

The game proceeded to be very friendly as we borrowed 4 Mildenhall players (including one spectator) to supplement our 7. The NCI bowling was a solid effort all round, with a fair spread of wickets and maiden overs. Sam was particularly economic with only 2 runs off 4 overs, as was Tiff with a wicket maiden and some fine spin which Mildenhall's batters couldn't middle & giving catches to Gen behind the stumps & Lois at cover. Labieba did some of her best bowling yet, picking up 2-14 off 4 and Lucy got a run out with an excellent shy at the stumps from point, as well as wrapping up Mary, clean bowled ending up with 2-17. One of Mildenhall's borrowed fielders even chipped in with a catch off Lois's bowling. Mildenhall won, by one run on the last delivery with only one wicket spare. An excellent close game and as Sam says, 'you only get runs by running'.

Lucy Wrapson - 21/05/2008

Peterborough - Womens 1st XI beaten by Cambridge N.C.I. CC Womens 1st XI

After winning the toss, debutant skip Lois decided to bowl, which is exactly what she did alongside the other opener, Jan. Both got off to a good start with Jan taking the first wicket of the league season & Lois taking the second, in a wicket maiden; taking on the captaincy seems to have improved her game! She then decided to bring on Paula to dispatch the troublesome opening bat Jo, and dispatch her she did in another wicket maiden. Next up Sam and Tiff did their work with the ball, Sam keeping it tight with 2 maidens from 5 overs despite having a cold, and Tiff tempting the batter Farida until she lofted one. There couldn't have been a safer pair of hands waiting for it than Kate's at cover, taking her first (and we are sure not last!) catch of the season. At drinks wicket keeper Naomi swapped to let Gen have a go behind the stumps & she did try to get a stumping, though kicking the ball and the stumps with your foot won't be popular with the umpires. Naomi went on to prove she didn't need gloves to catch with a cool take off Caroline's bowling (when we say cool we mean….help, help, help, help, YES!). Caroline got another wicket leg before & an excellent run out thanks to a swift pickup & return from Kate to Caroline waiting at the stumps. Lisa was then brought on and bowled a maiden over (bring her on sooner next time!) and were restricted to 75 for 7 off their 25 overs.

Caroline and Naomi opened the batting positively, though Naomi had to retire hurt for a couple of overs when hit on the elbow trying to shield her face from a beamer. Kate continued her excellent form hitting a quick 18 including a four. Caroline retired not out on 25 and the wickets began to tumble, but Jan and Lisa chipped in some more runs for NCI to win comfortably, 76 for 5 in 22.2 overs. Lois's “feed them cakes” tactics really paid off!

Gen Madgwick - 05/05/2008

Town takes on Gown

Winter is officially over, although it didn't feel like it when NCI women's XI braved the cold on Sunday for the first match of the season: a 33 over friendly against the Cambridge University Women's XI. After winning the toss (hurray!) & interrogating our double agent Tiff, captain Paula decided to field first. A cold & creaky team soon warmed up to the usual NCI fielding standards and although the wickets didn't fall initially, runs were kept in check by opening bowlers Jan and Lois. After some missed chances off the other bowlers, Paula soon decided to rock the batting side taking the a wicket & going on to take another two wickets for a very economical 6 runs in 6 overs, including an LBW which she didn't get round to appealing for. Tiff proved her loyalty, picking up four for 15 including the opposition's top scorer – she will be in demand by both teams after this performance! Caroline didn't want to be left out of the wicket haul & after inducing a few juicy edges, finally one stuck …in slip fielder Paula's stomach; she went away with 2 for 15.

The chase was on for 121 runs, with 3.7 runs an over required…NCI got off to a rocky start with opener Emily out to an amazing catch. Gen and Jan steadied the ship with a 27 run partnership. Mary, unburdened from captaining duties, was in next compiling an elegant 42 not out while a few wickets fell at the other end causing nerves to fray (it's hard to keep up with Mary)! The finish was exhilaratingly close, but Mary and Sam were more than equal to the pressure, seeing NCI home with an over and two balls to spare. Man of the match was Mary for her fine innings, although the new season's sponsorship choccies haven't arrived yet. Bad luck!

2008 and the Training Begins!

NCI Batwoman checking the field for chocolate on Parkers Piece. Photo courtesy Fen Photos. Thanx Sue. www.fenphotos.co.uk

Totally Focused on the Chocolat!

Cambridge NCI Ladies' cricket team have come a long way in just one year. They started as a friendly team in 2007 and ended 2008 as runners up in the regional ladies’ competitive league.

NCI is a cricket club with a long established history for the men’s game so in 2007 the ladies began with five friendly matches winning only one. In 2008 they entered the Two Counties League Ladies Challenge playing against six teams from Suffolk and despite many cancellations due to weather the ladies played a total of 27 fixtures including friendlies. A combination of dedicated winter training and top level coaching from Paula Knibbs, an ECB level 3 coach, took the girls and women of NCI to a new level. They started the season in determined style with an 84 run win over Woodbridge Ladies and finished the season second in the table, close on the heels of Ipswich, losing to them in the final match by only 9 runs. The game’s format is being extended from 30 overs to 35 for 2008 giving NCI a great opportunity to turn the tables on Ipswich. The team was sponsored by Hotel Chocolat who generously provided cash and chocolate.

“A £25 Hotel Chocolat voucher was a brilliant incentive for the Woman of the Match,” says coach Paula. “You can’t say these women aren’t competitive – especially when there’s chocolate at stake!!”

With their home ground on Parkers Piece, the team had some prime advertising space and many new players arrived to try their hand. Over 30 women and girls participated in league games last season with even more playing in friendly games. The intensive coaching has successfully converted rugby players, footballers, hockey players, javelin throwers, martial artists and tri-athletes into competent cricketers.

“Anyone with a good eye for a ball can easily pick up basic cricketing skills. It’s amazing how naturally athletes from other sports can play,” said Paula Knibbs, the 2008 Ladies Captain. “We would really encourage women and girls to come along and try it. What else would you rather be doing on a sunny, summer Sunday afternoon? It’s a very sociable game; we keep fit, get a good tan and work up an appetite for a fantastic homemade tea.”

The ladies are already in training with coaching sessions at Fenners Cricketing Hall, Gresham Road on Thursday evenings 7-9pm. New players are welcome to join in for a free taster session and subsequent sessions cost £4. If you are interested just turn up, no equipment needed or call Mary Munley on 0794 1322 746 for more details.

Big thanks to Hotel Chocolat for their generous support financially and chocolatey. http://www.hotelchocolat.co.uk/