Women enjoy Northern festival
Rainhill played three games at Northern CC Softball festival, winning twice.
Match 1: Liverpool 234
Rainhill 205 Liverpool won by 29 runs
Match 2: Rainhill 232 Northern 227 Rainhill won by 5 runs Match 3: Rainhill 250 Maghull 233 Rainhill won by 17 runs
Rainhill's women took part in Nothern Cricket Club's softball festival on Sunday 22nd May, and came away with two wins from their three games.
Their opening match was against Liverpool, who went on to win all of their matches. Rainhill batted first and were able to score runs quite quickly - especially Katie Roberts who was quite happy to hit the ball around. Unfortunately wickets also fell quite regularly and they ended with a net score of 205. Despite some strong bowling from Rainhill, Liverpool were able to make 234 at the close and were good value for the win.
Rainhill were far from despondent and their next game, against Northern, was an absolute nailbiter. Northern batted first and, while Katie Roberts and Kerry Lawler took two wickets apiece, Northern were able to play some positive shots. In the Northern team were a few playing cricket for the first time, and they celebrated every four hit as if it was a World Cup Final. It was great to see players enjoying cricket in this way feeling free to express themselves. Vicky Graham's bowling also earned a wicket, but Northern made a creditable 227.
In response, Rainhill looked purposeful from the outset. They were scoring steadily and looked set to reach the target until a couple of late wickets (including an incredible run out) turned the tide. It went down to the last ball but fortunaetly Rainhill were able to send it to the boundary to secure the win.
Rainhill were at their best in the final game against Maghull. Maghull were positive but a brilliant run out and a superb one-handed catch (both from Katie Roberts) pegged them back. They still managed to reach 233, a more than competitive target. However, Rainhill didn't lose a wicket as they took their score on to 250 to earn their second victory of the day.
Most importantly, it was a terrific day of cricket and one that will be remembered for reasons other than the results. Rainhill's team is continuing to develop and it is encouraging to see the range of talents within the squad. Photographs of the event can be found here.