Shropshire women up and running with double T20 success

Skipper Robyn Matthews won toss in the first game against Lincolnshire and chose to take first knock in batter-friendly conditions at Chester Broughton Hall CC.

A steady but not spectacular start was made, with the girls reaching 56-2 at the halfway point. The innings sprung into life in the final 10 overs as opener Lara Jones and No.4 Ashleigh Heath put on 80 runs for the third wicket in quick time. They both hit 37 as Shropshire finished on 139-5.

Lincolnshire started their reply rapidly, with Shropshire conceding runs at an alarming rate during the opening power-play.

But then Jones dismissed Amy Halloran, who was well set before an outstanding piece of glovework by Meg Felstead saw another wicket fall. Ria Fackrell’s pace induced a thick edge which Felstead caught diving, one handed.

Fackrell and Heath combined to bowl the last eight overs with identical figures of 4-0-20-1, after Sammi Short had bowled a tidy spell (4-0-18-0) to halt Lincolnshire’s progress. They finished 14 short on 125-4.

In the second game, Cheshire elected to bat first and despite Nyah Edwards making the breakthrough in the first over, Cheshire accelerated in helpful conditions and were scoring freely at over seven runs an over with opener Ellie Mason hitting a powerful 67.

The reintroduction of Jordi Matthews made a big impact as she trapped Mason lbw, from which point Shropshire were able to squeeze the runs as Cheshire finished on 134-4 – Fackrell conceding just two from the final over.

In reply, skipper Robyn Mathews set a strong platform with Lara Jones, the latter unluckily run out for 24 after a minor collision with the bowler who was fielding the ball.

Mathews batted solidly for her 47, but with Shropshire losing two wickets in two balls the momentum began to swing back Cheshire’s way.

However, after Fackrell had launched a six over long on, the stage was set for 14-year-old debutant Ellie Micklewright to take the game away from Cheshire.

With Shropshire needing eight an over from the final three, Micklewright was savage and clinical in her approach, striking four boundaries to finish unbeaten on 18 in double quick time and seeing her side home with nine balls to spare. Fackrell finished unbeaten on 23.

Coach Ian Gregory said: “Given 2016’s T20 campaign, these were two very pleasing results and a sign that the squad is learning and adapting fast to the challenges of T20 cricket.

“Great character was shown in the first game to pull victory from expected defeat, and likewise in game two, to chase down a challenging total against strong opposition was impressive to see.”

The Under-11 girls fell agonisingly short of victory in a low-scoring encounter with Staffordshire at Market Drayton.

Staffordshire finished their 30 overs on 108-8. Sentinel’s Amy Griffiths (2-14) and Drayton’s Mariella McRae (2-10) were the pick of the bowlers.

In reply, Shropshire slumped to 20-7, but a spirited comeback led by skipper Griffiths (35) saw them come close to pulling off a stunning victory before they were dismissed four runs short on 104.