Hook Ladies make amazing comeback

Hook Ladies (81 for 3 & 143 for 4) beat Neyland Ladies (116 for 2 & 107 for 5)

Umpires: Glyn Pawlett & John Austin
Scorers: Joy James & Kelly Morris
Venue: Carew Cricket Club

Hook ladies produced the come-back of the season as they totalled 143 for four wickets to win the Ladies Cup Final against a Neyland Ladies’ outfit which had looked very strong in building up a 35-run lead at the half way mark and must have fancied their chances of defending such a large total.
Leading the way for Hook Ladies was Sam Rossiter as she scored 68 not out, including four boundaries and a big six, batting throughout the innings and timing her finish to perfection as Hook edged home with two balls to spare. She was also awarded the woman of the match trophy because she had top scored in the first innings and took 4 wickets in limiting Neyland Ladies to a lower second innings total than they might have hoped for – just shading out Julie Garlick, who scored 102 runs for Neyland Ladies in her two innings.

Neyland Ladies look good in first half

Neyland ladies won the toss and elected to bat, showing a positive approach and quickly getting into their stride as Julie Garlick had five fours in her 53 alongside Kath Easton, who was 41 not out (three fours) against useful bowling by Leanne Jones (2 for 23).
Sam Rossiter (31) and Jo Kerrison (24) were the pick of the Hook Ladies’ response but Naomi James led the Neyland ladies’ attack with 2 for 2, supported by Katy Norrie (1 for 17). Leanne Jones also chipped in with 13 not out but Julie Garlick claimed two stumpings and a good catch as the rest of the Neyland Ladies team bowled and fielded tightly so that Hook Ladies had to settle for a somewhat disappointing 81 for 3, with a big interval deficit to ponder.

Hook Ladies fight back

Julie Garlick again led the Neyland second innings with her ability to punish the bad ball and she reached 49 before she was finally dismissed by Sam Rossiter as part of a 4 for 19 haul which helped limit Neyland Ladies to 107 for 5 and give Hook Ladies a glimmer of a chance, although a scoring rate of over seven runs per over was a testing one indeed. Angie Thomas and Kath Easton added 11 apiece and Katy Norrie scored 16 in support of Garlick’s second top score of the day.
Hook Ladies needed a good start and that is just what they got because Jo Kerrison had seven fours in her 53 before she was well caught by Norrie off Naomi James. Sam Rossiter always looked in control, though, so that although Naomi James again bowled well for Neyland Ladies with 3 for 23 it was Hook Ladies who gained a six wicket victory as Amanda John hit the winning run.
Sam Rossiter received the Skelfayre Ladies Cricket Cup trophy from Diane Morris, the League Chairman and doubled up with the Player of the Match award. Neyland Ladies were inevitable disappointed by their defeat but they can take consolation for the fact that they gave 100% in front of a big crowd and winning the league shows what a very good side they are.