Match Report – WSB v Cullompton (A) – 15th May

The Womens softball team were in action again on Sunday at Cullompton; the reverse of last weeks fixture.

There were debuts for Nic Fice and Cat Vincent with Thorverton lining up as:

Sophie Whiteley (C), Lisa May, Vanessa Wilson, Natasha Carbines, Cat Vincent, Nic Fice, Lucy Harget and Charli Harlow. 

There had been plenty of rain overnight resulting in a wet outfield but luckily the astroturf pitch could be used. Having won the toss, Thorverton took to the field. May opened the bowling followed by captain Whiteley who struck with her first ball – a sharp caught and bowled to dismiss her opposite number. Cullomptons first pair finished on 20-1.

Carbines and Wilson bowled the next set of 4 overs which were full of action. Quick fielding and an accurate throw from Harget into Carbines resulted in a run out in the first. The Cullompton pair then came back with a couple of boundaries in the second before the Harget and Carbines combo struck again with an identical run-out. The final over swung back to Cully with Coonick striking a four and a six! 48-3 at halfway.

The momentum continued with the home side through the overs of Fice and Vincent who were both bowling for the first time ever in a match, the score stood at 91-3 with four overs to go. Harget and Harlow were the final Thorvy players to bowl, but it was their fielding that created the wicket. A pinpoint throw from Harlow and quick hands from Hargetresulted in the third run-out of the innings. Similarly to the previous week Cullompton were aided by a few wides and finished on a total of 130-4.

Having taken four wickets the Thorverton chase started on 20. The May-Whiteley opening partnership worked well with both players striking two boundaries each and putting on a 30 without losing a wicket to take the score to 50. The accurate Cully bowling quartet soon got into their rhythm though and took the wicket of Wilson. Carbines counter attacked with a boundary before a mix up between resulted in a run out and the score at 72-2 at halfway. Fice and Vincent left the ball well to pick up the extras but the bowling was becoming increasingly hard to get away and a good catch in the field left the score at 95-3. The final pair of Harget and Harlow were left with a big ask of 50 from the final four overs. The intent was clearly there with a boundary off the first ball and quick running between the wickets. Harlow carved a four through the off-side but was then smartly caught the next ball. Hargetwent all out, smashing the ball straight and through the leg-side for three boundaries in the penultimate over.

The Cully captain took the final over and was right on target.The Thorvy pairs great running continued with three twos but it was Cully who had the final say with Harget out bowled going for another boundary. It was a valiant effort with 45 scored from the final four overs but it was not quite enough as Cullompton came out on top by 15 runs.

Cullompton – 130 runs scored + 5 wickets taken = 155

Thorverton – 120 runs scored + 4 wickets taken = 140 

Thank you to Cullompton for getting the game on and providing a fantastic tea – good luck for the rest of your season!

A definite improvement for the Womens team in their second league match with all eight players contributing with bowling, batting and in the field. More runs scored and wickets taken than the previous week, two debutants and plenty to take forward into training. 

We also bid a fond farewell to Charli Harlow as she moves away, good luck ‘up North’ and hope to see you soon!