The Western Warriors had a very impressive start to their Girls Regional under-16 Series at Clackmannan on Sunday.
After a rain start to the day, the weather improved, and the Warriors took on hosts Caledonian Highlanders in a 25-overs-a-side clash.
Batting first the visitors were well led by Anne Sturgess from Clydesdale and Orla Montgomery from Dumfries.
Sturgess opened the batting and made 48 while Montgomery scored 50 as the team posted a daunting looking 181-4 from their allotted overs while the Highlanders will have been frustrated to concede 37 extras.
In the Highlanders reply the Warriors opening bowlers Faatima Gardee (Glasgow Accies) and Niamh Robertson-Jack (Stirling County) did not let any batters settle.
They took 1-15 and 1-9 respectively to set the tone which the rest of the bowling attack followed as the Highlanders made 111 all out to lose by 70 runs.
Rosy Ryan, a member of the Warriors coaching team, said: “The girls played some great cricket and it was a really pleasing start to the Regional Series.
“With the bat Anne and Orla played some very nice shots while the bowlers and fielders worked well as a unit.
“The girls are really excited for the upcoming fixtures having watch the Wildcats play via the live stream in La Manga last week and they all have hopes of playing for the full national team one day.”
On the same day the Men’s Regional Development squads from the Highlanders and the Warriors played at Strathmore.
After the pitch had dried the sides played 30-overs-a-side and the Warriors batted first.
Captain John Oliver of West of Scotland led the way with 42 from 58 balls and then wicketkeeper David Sturgess (Clydesdale) took over.
He made 48 not out from 44 balls as they made 155-5 from 50 overs.
Adam Ferguson of Falkland made 63 and was well supported by Will Hardie (Carlton) with 31.
However, the Warriors bowlers and fielders did a good job and restricted the host side to 145-8 to secure a win by 10 runs.
Men’s Regional Development Series, Caledonian Highlanders v Western Warriors (50-overs, Strathmore)
The Scotland under-19 matches away to NUSC last week were called off due to the poor weather, however the players were able to use the spare time to head to Durham’s Riverside ground and bowl to Sri Lanka and South Africa’s World Cup stars in the nets.
This week’s pathways cricket:
Tuesday, July 2: Scotland under-19 v Men’s Performance Academy at Uddingston, 11am start.
Tuesday, July 2: Men’s Regional under-16 Series,Eastern Knights v Western Warriors at Merchiston, 11am start.
Tuesday, July 2: Women’s Regional under-16 Series, Caledonian Highlanders v Eastern Knights at Huntly, 1pm start.
Wednesday, July 3: Scotland under-19 v Men’s Performance Academy at Uddingston, 11am start.
Monday, July 8: Scotland Men’s under-15 v Northumberland at Ayr, 12noon start.
