First Tournament Success for O&T Ferrets
On a sizzlingly hot Sunday afternoon, the Ladies of Orsett and Thurrock Cricket Club took part in their first women’s softball cricket tournament at Gidea Park and Romford CC.
The team, known as the Ferrets, are reigning Thurrock Ladies indoor champions so they were now targeting success in the outdoor arena.
In four separate 12 over games against teams from the Essex Metropolitan area, the Ferrets produced some impressive performances. The first game was won easily with opening bowler Sharon Corker putting in her best performance of the season,taking wickets as well as hitting her first four of the year.
The Ladies again won comfortably in their second game with veteran indoor batsman Allison Edmeades piling on the runs and Nina Miller and Jamie Lee Springate producing some great running between the wicket.
The third game proved more difficult. In an attempt to make a diving catch as wicket keeper, Edmeades picked up an injury, limiting her contribution, so when the batting partnership of Sarah Fergey and Jo Simmons came in for the last two overs the Ferrets still needed six runs to win. The high scoring, hard hitting pair could not score in their usual way due to some tight bowling from the Romford girls. It eventually took until the last ball before Simmons could hit a single to win the game by one run.
The last tournament deciding games was against a high scoring home team from the Gidea Park based club. The Ferrets Marie Green took the first (and best) wicket with a cool caught and bowled that defied the now 31 degree temperature. Simmons did some energetic running in the field to allow Fergey to take a close run out and Springate took her first wicket. With a low total to chase, Green and her batting partner Corker (who by this time was struggling with the heat) hit some well placed boundaries and Miller and Springate, despite their injuries, managed to steady the innings. The reliable Fergey and Simmons were able to easily ease the Ferrets to a winning total and a first tournament wins for the Orsett and Thurrock Ladies.
The Ferrets will be defending their win at the Orsett and Thurrock Women’s Softball Festival on Sunday 12th August.
If you are interested in entering a team please contact George Pavitt on gdcpav@sky.com or go to the sign up link http://booking.ecb.co.uk/d/sgq0jh
