Club Cricket Conference v BPCC

Match 2

BPCC batted first in the second T20 of the day and Sian Phillips and Laura Crofts walked out to open the batting. A record opening partnership of 110 was achieved in 14.4 overs before Crofts was bowled for 52 runs from 42 balls (8 x fours & 1 six). At this same time Phillips also had to retire with an injury having scored 41 from 50 balls. This left BPCC 110 for 1 with new batsmen Shamaila Ahmed and Lorna Jack at the crease. With 9 balls of the innings left Jack was caught off the bowling of Hanna James for 10 runs and left Ahmed and new batsman Holly Hopes to play out the final balls of the innings. BPCC finished with their highest score of the week 149 for 2 off 20 overs.

A target of 150 was going to be no easy task for Club Cricket Conference but Dani Ransley had other ideas. She single handedly attempted to ruin the perfect day for BPCC scoring a magnificent 67 off 54 balls whilst supported by Lenice Downham and Mel Storey scoring 14 and 19. A good tight bowling display from Holly Hopes (3-0-14-2) and Victoria Mitchell (3-1-10-1) along with Laura crofts bowling the important wicket of Ransley the Club Cricket Conference came up just short of the target in 20 overs scoring just 138. BPCC Women had won their second game of the day and third of the week.

This left them with a 50%-win ratio from the week so far going into the final two games against the RAF on Friday.

Friday 4th June 2021 – BPPC Vs RAF

Matches abandoned due to rain which became heavier throughout the day.

SUMMARY

P6 W3 L3

Whoever would have thought it…. some 48 years after British Police CCC was formed Women’s cricket would now be the focus of Police cricket - not before time……It’s been long overdue!!

Monday 31 May saw 18 individuals arrive at Fleet Road not really knowing one another nor any idea how the week would turn out. The following 3 days saw them develop into a tight knit group with improvements being made in every match.

Despite the disappointment of the Friday “washout” the team reflected on the Tour which had seen them grow and develop both individually and as a team throughout the week. The departing Group were leaving far better players from the ones who arrived on the Monday and the investment made by the manager in employing the first ever professional coach for a BPCC team had proven to be an inspired decision.

It was clear to see the camaraderie and work ethic from day one. The coach and team all the Management team was proud of what the squad had achieved in their first ever tour.

The future of women’s cricket is positive and once word gets out about the achievements made during the tour week, I am sure that we will see numbers increase and hopefully in the not-too-distant future the beginnings of a National Competition.

To all players…. please go back to your Forces and spread the word as there will be players out there who have no idea that Women’s BPCC exists.

From a personal point I would like to extend my thanks to all the Management Team of Simon, Paul & Craig, Umpires Sarah Bartlett and Nick Stratton (who joined us to officiate the CCC day), Scorer & Statistician Gavin Todd, Coach Andy Brown and Sports therapist Helen Paver-Brown whose hard work kept the majority of the players on the field.

Plans are already being made for the 2022 Tour plus other requests for the Team to play 1 off fixtures.