Wildcats take on Staffordshire
The Scotland Wildcats had a double header against Staffordshire at Stirling Cricket Club last weekend (3, 4 September).
Saturday didn’t get off to the best of starts; persistent drizzle delayed the game until 2pm as the match was reduced to 38 overs. Captain Abbi Aitken lost the toss and Scotland were invited to bat first.
Things were looking bleak for the Wildcats when they were 49/4 with Bascombe, Urquhart, 
Anderson and Kasperek all out. Samantha Haggo and Kathryn White batted with real determination and common sense to put on 65 for the 5th wicket and give the innings the impetuous that was required. Haggo finished on 41 while White’s contribution saw her score 26. The Wildcats ended their innings on 141-9 with a decent score to defend.
Staffordshire quickly found themselves in a bit of bother- with White inducing England International Danni Wyatt to tickle one behind, while Kasperek took the wicket of Allcock to compliment her run out of Whyle, reduced the visitors to 32-3. Partnerships for the 4th and 5th wicket, worth 37 and 38 respectively, saw Staffordshire sneak closer to Scotland’s total.
Staffordshire built an 8th wicket partnership of 25 which punished any loose Scottish bowling and ultimately, dashed the Wildcats chances of victory as Staffordshire reached the target with 11 balls remaining.
Sunday (4 September) was a new day which brought with it better weather. Leigh Kasperek was ruled out with a thumb injury and replaced by Kathryn Bryce- the young Watsonian making her first appearance for the senior team.
Aitken lost the toss and this time the Wildcats were asked to bowl first. Some powerful hitting and wayward bowling saw Staffordshire race to 64-2 in no time and at one stage the Wildcats looked like they would be chasing a big score!
A tight 10 over spell from Player/Coach Kari Anderson conceded only 22 runs to put the brakes on the Staffordshire innings. Some excellent back up bowling from Samantha Haggo (2-32) and Kathryn White (3-35) saw Staffordshire all out for 184.
Wildcats openers Fiona Urquhart and Charlotte Bascombe raced along to 39 in quick time. Bascombe was out bowled by Spooner a fine foundation had been laid for the rest of the order to build on. Unfortunately, Urquhart was soon heading back to the pavilion as she too was bowled by Spooner for 13.
Senior players White and Anderson had a partnership of 34 before the former was caught for 14. Haggo tried to repeat Saturday’s heroics, but was dismissed for 14, the Scots had moved the score along to 100-4.
Anderson and Rae batted sensibly and were well up with the run rate. Rae fell for 19 with the score 144-5. The quick wickets of Bryce, Dickson and Jack left the score on 151-8 and the momentum swung back in the visitor's favour.
Aitken too departed caught off the bowling of Stephanie Butler, which she then followed up by bowling Priyanaz Chatterji first ball, the Wildcats were 16 runs short and Stafforshire completed another close fought victory against their Scottish rivals.
Reacting after the game, Coach Kari Anderson said “over the weekend we have played some really good cricket but we are lacking a little bit of confidence to get us over the line. We can’t fault the girl’s efforts and enthusiasm, we need to keep on doing our basic skills well and we’ll only improve”.
The wildcats finish of their season with two away games to Worcestershire (17, 18 September).
[scorecards]
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