NORTH have emerged with the bragging rights after being put to the test against South in round 2 of the women’s Barrier District Cricket League.
After losing the toss, North embraced the chance to set the tone by batting first.
New opening pair Jo Smith and Sophie Milne began confidently, but the innings took a turn when Milne skied one to mid-wicket in the third over, departing for six runs. Coming in at number three, Stevie Hack started to find her rhythm but unfortunately was bowled, leaving North at 2/30.
Steph Alchin made her first appearance of the season and showcased impressive leg speed, contributing to a quick 20-run partnership with Smith.
However, Alchin fell victim to an LBW decision for seven runs, leaving Smith still at the crease with North at 3/50.
Morgan Boylan then took the crease, but her stay was short-lived as she was caught for a golden duck.
This brought Steph Balman to the crease with the score at 4/50.
In need of runs, Balman delivered, aggressively hitting the South bowlers and finding the boundary.
Smith played a vital supporting role, rotating the strike well until a miscommunication led to Balman being run out for a quick-fire 36 runs.
Smith finished the innings not out on 16 off 47 balls, contributing to North’s total of a solid 5/109.
Bowlers Keira Boxsell, Ellie Simmons, Hannah Morris, Balman and Smith kept South in check, allowing only 15 runs with just three extras in the first five overs.
The second set of five overs continued in the same vein, with excellent out-fielding, especially from Boylan and Hack at fine leg, keeping South to just 35 runs at the halfway mark.
In the 12th over, Milne finally broke through with a wicket, and then executed a run-out off her own bowling, leaving South at 2/41.
Alchin then added to the wicket tally from a great catch by Brooklyn Gibson, showcasing her skills as the best keeper in the competition.
Simmons also joined in the action, taking a catch at cover that was coming at her with significant speed.
Milne proved her prowess as a bowler, claiming two more wickets in quick succession, bringing South to 6/65.
She narrowly missed a hat-trick but remained a formidable force. Boxsell then added to the tally, with another catch secured by Simmons, leaving South at 7/78.
Despite a few runs leaking in the latter part of the innings, the bowlers maintained control, restricting South to a final score of 7/90.
This week’s match is against West at Zinc Oval.North 5/109 defeated South 7/90
