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