NORTH OF ENGLAND T20 CHAMPIONS
Girls Under 13s v Yapham CC – 31 July 2022
RCC 97 for 3 (20 overs) YCC 29 all out (9 overs)
It was a very early and wet start for Ramsbottom CC Girls u13 on Sunday as they made the 90 mile journey over to Yapham CC for the North of England Regional T20 final. With conditions more akin to winter it did not look promising but with just over an hour delay the match got going.
Yapham won the toss and elected to bowl. Scarlett Anderson and Grace E got Ramsbottom off to a steady start against some good line and length bowling. They were made to work for their runs and due to the damp outfield boundaries were hard to come by. It was not until the 14th over that Yapham made a breakthrough when Scarlett was removed through a fine reaction catch at point falling for 41 off 42 balls. Two overs later Grace was bowled for 34 leaving two new batters looking to up the tempo. Amelia Buckley tried to force the boundaries but succumbed to a freak dismissal where the ball hit her pad and on to the back of her bat then back on the stumps. Ramsbottom finished on 97-3 from their 20 overs.
There was some feeling among the crowd (and coaches) that a few more would have been nice but the girls had other ideas! Emilia O’Keeffe and Amelia Buckley opened the bowling and ensured the result was never in doubt with the first wicket falling on the ninth ball. The Yapham batters had no answers with wickets falling quickly and being bowled out for 29 in the ninth over. Amelia B finishing with 4-9 from 4 overs, Emilia 1-9 and Scarlett 1-1. With that raucous scenes erupted from the girls (similar to those displayed by England women some hours later) as they were crowned North of England Regional Champions that now go to the National finals day on 19th August at Neston CC. A fantastic achievement by all involved.
A special mention to all at Yapham who were fantastic hosts and also cancelled their senior game that afternoon to ensure our game was not constrained by time given the unpredictable weather.
Thank you to all that made the trip, the girls made sure it was worthwhile.
Chris Eardley
