Pembrokeshire Girls learn a lot at Llandovery Cricket Festival
Pembrokeshire Girls under15s narrowly lost to West Glamorgan in their first competitive game as a newly formed squad but they bounced back the next day by beating a very strong Whitland side, including several girls in the Welsh set up and were unbeaten in the previous games in the Llandovery Festival.
The format of the games was 2 innings of 18 overs with a maximum of 3 overs per bowler. As this was the first time the team had played, everyone was given the opportunity to bat and bowl in each game, with some girls retiring to give team members the opportunity to bat.
Tough battle for debut match
Pembrokeshire (55-3) & (42-8) lost to West Glam (59-4) & (39-7)
After losing the toss and being put into bat, Pembrokeshire started well with openers Ffion Ashman hitting a well-struck seven runs, including a boundary, and Rachael Norris looking solid until she was run-out for 5. Jemma Phillips and Rhiannon Morgan then batted sensibly, retiring on 10 & 7, with Izzy Jones finishing on an undefeated 8, Pembrokeshire reaching a creditable total of 55 for 3.
The pick of the bowlers for Pembrokeshire was Nicole James with 2 for 1 in her useful two overs with Izzy Jones chipping in with 1 for 5. There was a good piece of fielding by Emily Griffiths and quick glove work by Jemma Phillips to dismiss the West Glam opener for 5 giving Pembrokeshire a positive start. Only Rachel Fuge looked settled in her undefeated 20, with ‘Mr Extras’ contributing towards West Glamorgan’s total of 59-4.
With a 4 run deficit, Pembrokeshire needed a solid start and everyone chipped in with runs, achieving an encouraging total of 42-8, which left West Glamorgan with 39 to win.
There was some good bowling from Izzy Jones (3 for 6), Nicole James (2 for 3), Louise Bellerby (1 for 1) and Ffion Ashman (1 for 4) with all seven wickets being bowled. West Glam struggled to the target with two overs left, again with the help of ‘Mr Extras’. Pembrokeshire were unlucky to lose to an accomplished West Glamorgan side, with lack of match practice being evident in the outcome.
Pembrokeshire bounce back to win well
Pembrokeshire (49-4) & (38-5) beat Whitland (36-4) & (51-6)
Rhiannon Morgan celebrated her birthday with great bowling figures of 1 for 0 from her two accurate overs, dismissing Whitland's opener who had scored 50 on the previous day with her second delivery. She was well backed up by superb bowling from Monique Parsley (1 for 3) and Sophie Bushnell (2 for 2) to limit Whitland to a first innings total of 36-4.
There was an excellent batting display by Pembrokeshire openers Rhiannon Morgan and Ffion Ashman, putting on a 26 run partnership with 13 & 10 respectively, supported by Jemma Phillips with 8, helping Pembrokeshire reach 49 and building a 13 run lead at the interval.
Whitland struggled early on in the second innings as good bowling by Izzy Jones (1 for 2), Monique Parsley (1 for 12), Louise Bellerby (2 for 5) and Rhiannon Morgan completing an excellent bowling display with (1 for 0) again. Rogers and Jones put on a 32-run partnership, before Rogers was neatly stumped by Jemma Phillips on the last ball of the innings, giving Pembrokeshire a target of 39 for victory. There were also well taken catches by Izzy Jones and Sophie Bushnell to complete the fielding performance.
Pembrokeshire made a promising start with Emily Griffiths & Izzy Jones scoring 5 & 15 respectively. Pembrokeshire then lost three quick wickets with only 3 runs required - but Sophie Bushnell & Ffion Ashman held their nerve to see Pembrokeshire home with five wickets and six overs to spare.
After just three training sessions this season, the result goes a long way in showing the potential talent of female cricketers in Pembrokeshire. It was an excellent all-round performance from all players during the two days from an inexperienced Pembrokeshire side, who bonded well as a team, and learned a lot from this festival.
