Cottage Farm Ladies  - sponsored by

and the Longwood pub.  _

29th May 2005 - The Ladies team gathered for an end of season match against our rivals and good friends Cannock today, only this time it was different, it was cricket! Considering there was next to no previous experience of using the willow (the bat) or that little red but very hard leather coated ball in any of the 22 players, all of the girls did very well. There were some talented players on show and no lack of effort or enthusiasm although we did have to persuade one or two girls not to jump out of the way when the ball was hit a bit hard, no names, you know who you are!

    Skipper Vicky Roe lost the toss and our Ladies were invited to bat first, a very civilised game this, well it was until this game got started anyway. Vicky Roe and Kate Harker got us off to a good start before Cannock managed to slow the scoring rate, mainly by keeping Vicky away from the strike (facing the bowling!). However some lusty blows from Kate followed by more by Zoe Pugh after Kate's dismissal saw the run rate improve. The skipper continued with some fine stroke play all round the wicket before her eventual dismissal. Several of the girls made the scorers work hard, the very same scorers who, incidentally, complained to yours truly that they couldn't keep up!!!  The girls ended up with a total of 101 after their 30 overs with Jo Fowler, ClaireMcGarrigle and Alex Dockray making good contributions..

    After a very nice tea, I told you this was a civilised game, usually, Cannock had their chance to bat. They went off extremely quickly getting to 70 after only 12 overs and we looked dead and buried. But some excellent bowling from Jo Fowler, Nat Davis, Kate Harker, Zoe Pugh and the skipper (sorry if I missed anyone there) and also our surprise sub, Dan, pegged back the scoring rate quite dramatically. Backed up by some good fielding, and some good field placing by the coaches and some quite sensational catches from Vicky Roe and Jo Fowler amongst others, the Ladies took wickets at regular intervals to force their way back into the game. So much so that at the start of the last over Cannock needed 5 to win, which proved too much with the skipper bowling very steadily and finishing off with a good run out off the last ball leaving Cannock on 99.

    A fantastic day enjoyed by everyone, players and spectators alike. Some good cricket played, and some not so good. Thanks to Cannock Ladies Football Club for organising the day and to Cannock Cricket Club for hosting it and thank you to all the girls for taking part and providing the entertainment. I know everyone enjoyed it and it looks like being an annual event. if the next game is as good as this, it will be a cracker!

The two teams:

Jo Fowler (facing the bowling) and skipper Vicky Roe:

Vicky Roe about to despatch the ball through the offside:

   

Cottage Farm Rangers F.C. Ladies cricket team in their new football strip sponsored by the Longwood pub: