U15 Secondary Schools Indoor 2003

After an indecently early start to our Sunday morning, Linton Village College from Cambridge were our first opponents. (I suppose the only gratifying thought at that time was that they must have started their day even earlier.)

There was a nervous start from our bowlers, Lucy struck back with 2 wickets in 2 balls & Hannah followed suit with a c&b and a nifty bowled out. Rachel stepped in with a quick run out and Sian claimed more bonus runs for DCHS in the last over of their innings. by a bowled out round their No5's legs.

With the suicidal run out of Megan to the first ball of our innings there came a necessary calm response from Sian & Rachel, then we were indebted to Jane who re built our score. She eventually steered us to 53-3, equalling the Cambridge final total, but as we had claimed 6 of their wickets we were deemed winners of the match.

Our next match was against Highstead School, from Sittingbourne in Kent & this was Sian's chance to get a run out from the first ball of their innings! Then we held all our catches Hannah (2), Rachel & Jane one each, well supported in the field by Shivani & Becca we kept Highstead to 27-7.

Jane & Rachel, later assisted by Becca picked off the runs, & even found the boundary wall, to overhaul the Kent score. DCHS won by 25 runs.

Against Newport School from Essex our amazing fielding continued, we bagged a snappy run out by Sian, from her small corner on the leg side, followed by a brilliant one handed catch at short square leg by Hannah. Jane forced a run out from her direct throw & Hannah, bowling with great concentration claimed 2 clean bowled.

Backa & Jane top scored as we quickly overhauled the Essex total, ably assisted by Megan & Hannah. Bucks won by 19 runs.

At this point we needed to win our remaining match against Bearwood Manor CC from Harrow representing Middlesex, to earn a place in the National U15 Final at Lords.

Once again we started our innings by losing a wicket, this time Rachel was caught behind, but Jane & Becca made a sound response & later Hannah grabbed some late runs. Defending a low total Lucy put us smartly back in the game & the bonus points with a direct hit run out from the length of the Hall, yes DCHS did mean business! But despite tight bowling & a team effort that kept them hard pressed for runs, Middlesex slowly found runs. Only needing 3 to win from our last over, we did not manage to get another wicket & they made 5 runs……………

So……..with 3 teams tied at the top of the table on equal points, it was time for crickets equivalent of the penalty shoot out …THE BOWL OUT!

What a task, as the four 'volunteers' from Cambridge, Middlesex & Bucks lined up for their ordeal while the rest of us sat back glad we would not be called on to bowl.

After 15 minutes of high tension Middlesex managed to lodge/suspend the ball between the stumps with the bails still in place!

That was deemed the winning act as the ball had HIT the stumps which was all that was required!

Ughhhhhhhhhh!!!

We know we came within a 1cm of going to Lords, so near & yet so far!!!

Well played girls it was tough. An entertaining yet nerve racking day's cricket!

Many thanks to our scorer, Eileen, otherwise known as the lollipop lady!

Dr Challoners: Megan Masterson Capt, Rachel Harrison, Jane Butler, Sian Culley, Becka Fawcett, Shivani Tapari, Hannah Stephenson, Lucy Farrell.

UNDER 15 BUCKS FINAL @ Dr Challoners

Burnham v Dr Challoners: The final promised a lively contest between two well matched teams, the tense affair that followed certainly lived up to expectations. It started with drama as Saya opened the bowling for Burnham and Sian Culley was run out on the very first ball! Rachel & Hannah took a deep breath, found the boundary wall a couple of times & then smart fielding from Burnham (or a rush of blood from Challoners) found Hannah run out as well! Jen took up the bowling , the run rate slowed as she took 2 wickets for 6 runs from her 2 overs. Jane stepped into the breach for Challoners making 10 well judged runs. Then Burnham called on Sophie for her second over. She had Jane well caught by Yannia from her first ball and followed that by clean bowling Lucy & Shivani with the next two balls. A hat trick for Sophie & what a cool customer, she was unaware of her amazing achievement but there was huge delight & congratulations from her teammates! Becka came to the crease and first steadied the collapse then smote the remaining balls to take Dr C's final total to 64-8.

Mekaya showed her intentions for Burnham pilfering 15 from Sian's opening over but Hannah worked her magic and had her well caught by Becka in the next over. Jen batted smartly and took Burnham to 48-1 with 6 overs to go. Then she fell to a run out ( just one of the 7 players in the 2 innings, to fall that way!) The next 3 overs proved vital with only 6 runs coming from them. Sarah made some crashing blows as she found her touch with the bat, but as the 8^th & final over was bowled she was stranded at the bowlers end while Ellie played out a maiden.

Well done to captains Megan and Jen for keeping cool heads, just when it was needed.

There was sharp catching & run outs from both teams with wicketkeepers Sarah & Rachel constantly keeping the pressure on the batters.

Exciting batting from Mekaya & Becka kept the spectators dodging on the boundary wall.

Best bowling….Hat trick girl Sophie taking 3 for 23.

Burnham finished 17 runs short of DCHS total, they had threatened to score more and it certainly felt closer to both players & spectators alike.

Many thanks to Eileen Powell and Lee Mason the intrepid umpires.

DR CHALLONERS GO THROUGH TO THE REGIONAL FINALS

UNDER 15 PRELIMINARY ROUND @ Wye Valley

Burnham v Wye Valley: Valley totalled 52, Kim top scored with 11 before being smartly Run Out. Both Jen & Mekaya grabbed 2 wickets a piece with tight bowling. Burnham replied strongly with the bat Mekaya, starring again with 22 retired & Saya 20 in collecting 71 runs from their 8 overs. Burnham WIN

Wye Valley v Sir William Borlase: Kim starred again taking 16 off SWB opening bowlers & finally falling to a run out decision as the team collected 57-6. Top bowling from Rae 2 wkts for 4 runs & Zara 2 for 7. Borlase batting proved too strong for the Valley as Zara was run out for 18 & Tia retired on 21 in making a winning total of 88-4. SWB WIN

Burnham v Sir William Borlase: Burnham started with a flourish of runs knocking 25 off the first 2 overs, then Rae took out Jen, Emma & Sophie in her first over, leaving Mekaya to retire on 21 & Yannia to make 14 not out in their final total of 87-5. Burnham were rattled as Jen bowled opener Cassie with the last ball of her opening over, their batting was safe, sure but tooooo slow & apart from 13 from Daniella and 34 from the extras, Burnham never looked in trouble.

SWB finished on 82-3. Burnham WIN

BURNHAM GO THROUGH TO THE BUCKS FINAL.

Teams Burnham: Jen Curtis, Mekaya Gittens, Emma Gray, Sophie Beccy, Saya Myashi, Ellie Jones, Yannia Becker, Nicola Mehio.

Sir William Borlase: Cassy Mill, Rae Bowles, Claire Barnes, Dani Tinlin, Zara Shad, Tia Bowman Liz Jackson, Jenny Baraclough.

Wye Valley: Jade Bailey, Jade Smith, Toni Brinton, Emily Cobie, Hannah Roonie, Kim Roxborough, Holly Delaney.

UNDER 15 PRELIMINARY ROUND @ Dr Challoners

Chesham Park v Dr Challoners: Hannah & Megan opened the batting for the home team with quiet respect for Sophie K & Sophie D in their first overs before getting into their stride & eventually both batters were retired, on 22 & 23 , before the rest of the team took their turn, finishing on 49-2. The Park's best bowler was Sophie K with 2 wkts for 9 runs. Chesham found runs hard to come by as Jane snatched 2 wkts for 0 runs & Meghna 1-2, they made a nervous 22 from 6 overs.

Dr Challoners WIN.

Beaconsfield School v Chesham High: Tough start for Beaconsfield with Carys claiming 2 wickets for 2 runs in the opening over & Vicki bowling tightly, they raised 33 runs from their 6 overs. Chesham started well, then Vicki was smartly run out & Jess moved the score along quietly for a while before crashing 3 boundaries to make her score 24 & help the team to a mighty 75-1.

Chesham High WIN

Chesham Park v Beaconsfield School: Katie & Sophie D opened the batting & were going steadily when Sophie D was run Out on 8 & Sophie K fell quickly, so after a promising start ( & mean bowling from Beaconsfield) they only managed 38-2. Beaconsfield leaked wickets steadily & the Park were still in with a chance until Jade found the boundary wall with some crashing strikes (she finished on 10 not out) as Beaconsfield reached 48-2. Beaconsfield WIN.

Chesham High v Dr Challoners: Chesham High openers faltered losing Jess in the first over & Vicki to a smart catch by Becka, the rest of their batters supported stoutly but were pinned back by accurate bowling & only made

47 for 4. DCHS openers attacked from the start with Rachel retiring after a powerful 20 & Becka on 22. Vicki grabbed 2 wickets but it was too late, as Challoners cruised to 70-2. Dr Challoners WIN.

DR CHALLONERS GO THROUGH TO THE BUCKS FINAL

Teams Dr Challoners: Megan Masterson, Meghna Shetty, Rachel Harrison, Jane Butler, Diana Poon, Becka Fawcett, Shivani Tapani, Hannah Stephenson.

The Beaconsfield School: Laura Mclean, Emily Mclean, Kirsty McVear, Laura Jade rker, Steph Cannon, Toni Clack, Sam Busby.

Chesham High: Vicki O'Neil, Georgia Crompton, Antonia Pightling, Louise Raher, Jessica Burrows, Rachel Lee, Olivia Hamilton, Catherine Ball, Carys Webster.

Chesham Park: Sophie Khaihra, Katie Bartlett, Emily Duncombe, Sophie Dixon, Saiqa Raja, Vicki Bartlett, Nicky Goss, Sadie Cole.

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