Girls enjoy quite a Bash!
DCB EVENT A WHOLE NEW BOWL GAME
NEWLY-ESTABLISHED Philadelphia Cricket Club women’s team made a strong start to the Durham Cricket Board Women’s Indoor Bash - dominating both of their games on the competition’s opening weekend.
Durham University also made it a double-win day to top the league table on run rate.
The Women’s Indoor Bash is a new county-wide women’s indoor competition which sees local university and club-based teams involved in a winter programme for the first time.
The tournament, at Stanley’s Louisa Centre, began with matches from Group A – Brandon, Durham City, Durham University and Philadelphia the competing squads.
In the first round of fixtures, Durham City were up against Durham University.
City, batting first, set a competitive total of 52 in their 16 overs.
In reply, the university’s team hit an overwhelming 89 runs to claim the win by 37 runs.
Over on pitch two, Philadelphia faced Brandon.
Durham-based Brandon were set the task of batting first but struggled to post a competitive total, finishing on just 14.
Philadelphia were quick to capitalise, Hollie Forsyth and Rebecca Price showcasing their batting skills with a partnership of 28 off their four overs - helping Phili over the line comfortably with a total of 82.
In the second round of fixtures Durham City took on Philadelphia in what was a low-scoring game for both teams.
City struggled to get going for the whole of their 16 overs, registering a poor score of -1.
This was an easy target for Phili, who came out on top for the second time by finishing on 29.
In the final game, Brandon faced Durham University.
The students quickly struck their way to a decent total of 123 - losing only four of their wickets in the 16 overs.
Brandon, having already lost their first game, bounced back to hit an improved total of 96.
However, this was still not enough and the three points went to Durham University.
The university’s consistent performance placed them on top of the league table, followed closely by Philadelphia.
Durham University’s captain Hannah Knowles said: “It was a great day with an emphasis on fun and development.
“The girls enjoyed their first experiences of indoor cricket and we are looking forward to future weeks.”
Phili captain Layla Tipton said: “The team worked great together to claim two positive results.”
Lesley Johnson from Brandon complemented the format, saying: “Our team consists of a range of ages and abilities and the Indoor Bash was a great way of having everyone involved prior to the start of the outdoor season.
“Most of us have not picked up a bat or ball since the end of last season so this was a good opportunity to bring our players back together.”
Matches in Group B will be played tomorrow, again at the Louisa Centre (noon).