Women's Indoor Sixes, Peebles 2011

The Gytes Leisure Centre in Peebles was the venue for the second of four women’s indoor tournaments that are planned during the cricket off season.  Galloway Ladies and Dumfries Ladies teams -both playing their first competitive matches since forming in the summer in 2011 - thoroughly enjoyed the experience of the fast paced game.

With 6 teams entered, 2 groups of 3 allowed for maximum participation and enjoyment by all that were involved.  Edinburgh University won Group A- after a close victory over Stirling County and a comfortable win against Galloway. 

In group 2 Dumfries led the way, despite this being their first competitive outing, and showed great tactical awareness along with the execution of cricket skills to win both matches against St. Boswells and The Select 6.  The Select 6 were formed on the morning of the competition to make the groups even after a call off; this team was made up of any 6 who were interested in playing an extra game.

The first of the Semi Finals saw Stirling County face Dumfries.  Stirling County batted first and scored a defendable 36 - Lois Wilkinson top scoring with 18.  Kirsty Strachan of Dumfries saw her over only go for 3 runs.   In reply Dumfries scored 18 from the first over to put the pressure back on Stirling’s bowlers.  When the second Stirling over was bowled by Filza Bhatti, it only went for 3 runs and claimed 1 wicket, it looked like the game was going to have an exciting finish.

In the end, with some powerful hitting and some excellent placement of the ball, Dumfries reached the total at the end of the 4th over; recording a victory that would see them play in the final against the winners of Edinburgh University and The Select 6 semi-final. 

Ruth Willis was the mainstay of the Edinburgh University innings and contributed 20 out of the University’s total of 39.  The Select 6 looked to have got themselves in a good position before  Lily Cartwright came on to bowl the last over-  her 2 wickets in 2 balls saw Edinburgh University  winning by 4 runs to reach the final.

So, the final was to be contested between Dumfries and Edinburgh University.  The students elected to bat first and scored a competitive 41 from their allotted 5 overs- Ruth Willis was their top scorer with 16. 

Kirsty Strachan and Rachel Howard opened the batting for Dumfries. The pair batted sensibly to take Dumfries within touching distance of the title.  They needed 9 runs from the last over and when Strachan hit the first ball for 6, it looked like there was only going to be one winner.  However like all good cricket matches, there are always twists and turns and when Lily Cartwright claimed the wicket of Strachan  with 3 balls to go and 3 runs still needed, Rosie Ryan defended her first ball before scampering through off the next ball to give Dumfries the title with one ball remaining.

Congratulations to both teams on an excellent and entertaining final and well done to Dumfries Ladies Cricket Club who won the first ever tournament  that they had entered.


Thanks to all those that took part in the competition, there is no doubt that the standard of the cricket on show is improving with each tournament. Keep up the good work!

The next indoor competition is due to take place at Grangemouth Sports Complex on the 5 February 2012. 

Thanks also to Neil Cameron and Kathryn White for their umpiring and scoring throughout the day.
 

Photo- The winning team Dumfries Ladies CC

Report by Kari Anderson (30 November 2011)