Phili girls give it a real Bash to make semis
NEWLY-ESTABLISHED Philadelphia Cricket Club women’s team topped its group in the Durham Cricket Board’s Women’s Indoor Bash to go through to the semi-finals.
The other teams who qualified for the next stage of the competition were Norton Cricket Club, Durham University and Shotley Bridge CC.
The final four was decided after the last two matches in each group were played at Stanley’s Louisa Centre.
In Group A, Brandon Cricket Club pulled out of the competition, leaving one official fixture to go through – Durham University against Philadelphia.
The University batted first in what was a low-scoring game for both teams, finishing on just 32.
Phili struggled to get going for the whole of their 16 overs and fell 15 short of the target.
In Group B, Shotley Bridge were up against Middleton-in-Teesdale Cricket Club and Norton faced Willington.
Shotley, batting first against Middleton, posted the highest total of the day - 99.
Rebecca Emery and Katie Smith showcased their excellent batting skills in a strong partnership of 37.
This was a tall order to chase for Middleton, who only managed 41 in response.
In the other game in the group, Norton were first to bat against Willington.
Batting pairs Maddie Atkinson and Katie Thompson and Jess Woolston and Jess Weatherspoon contributed 25 and 24 runs respectively in their partnerships for a final score of 82.
This seemed to be an overwhelming target for Willington, who never got close to the line finishing on just 21.
The two top-placed teams in each group qualified for the semi-finals, which take place on Sunday, March 25 at the Louisa Centre.
Philadelphia, winners of Group A, will play runners-up from Group B Shotley Bridge while Norton, who topped Group B, will face Durham University, who were second in Group A.
ST Wilfrid’s Roman Catholic College girls’ cricket team won the Lady Taverners Under-13 Indoor Schools Competition.
Watch out for a picture special on the event in Grassroots Sport soon - and extensive coverage of the league cricket scene in Grassroots from next month.