Kent Under 11 Girls  119-6 (25 Overs) (Annabelle Richards 21, Rochelle Beeson 20 ret not out, Molly Davis 13 ret not out).

Surrey Under Girls 120-4 (25 overs) (Ella Clifton 2-5, Zahra Crane-Mohammed 1-4).

Run outs:    Grace Whitelock    Catches: None.
Result:  Kent Under 11 Girls Lost by 6 Wickets

Although this was Kent Under 11 Girls first loss of the season, it was an tight match played in the right spirit and one which could easily have gone our way.  Kent were on top for much of the game, but Surrey’s batting was strong and we were not able to break a decisive 50 run partnership for the 5th wicket.  

In the 23rd over our hopes of victory were raised.  We thought we had a run out when a magnificent boundary throw from acting captain Rocky hit the wicket direct.  Wild celebrations ensued, but they were short lived as the umpire called the batter back because the ball had narrowly gone over the boundary.

The last few overs were nerve racking.  Our bowling was not good enough to stem the flow of runs and Surrey squeezed home with three balls to spare.

Earlier, Kent were put in.  Charlotte hit a couple of cracking fours but did not get behind one that cut in and was bowled.  Maddie was out first ball, typically swinging across the line in cavalier fashion to a straight pitched up ball.  So we were two wickets down in the first three overs, however, Annabelle and Molly, aged 10 and 9 respectively, showed their older team mates how to compile an innings.  They batted sensibly and scored quickly and their partnership of 58 put us in a strong position after 14 overs.

Annabelle was finally caught at mid on and Molly, who had made a remarkable recovery from illness, was retired having batted superbly for 13 in 17 overs.  Rochelle played a great captain’s knock, and with Lottie put 20 runs together with some good running.  After 19 overs we were looking to capitalise, but we collapsed with Lottie, Morgan and Ella out within a handful of deliveries.  Our tail did not wag on this occasion, however, we still thought we could defend 119.

We made an excellent start with Ella finding a great rhythm and with her ‘sat nav switched on!  She bowled two in two balls, and when Grace Whitelock threw in from square leg for a run out after a mix up between the batters, Surrey were struggling on 8-3.

Unfortunately we could not hammer home our advantage.  At the half way stage the visitors still had a lot to do at 56-4, but in giving everyone a bowl, we began to give away far too many wides, no balls and byes.  Sloppy, non urgent fielding did not help our cause.  Field placings were set too deep and they picked off untroubled singles.  Gradually they stole the initiative and won in the end.

Rochelle tried hard as captain – there were a few plusses, but she did not receive the support from a good number of players.  Had we all played to our potential I think we would not have lost this game.  There is sometimes a fine dividing line between winning and losing.  All the little individual mistakes add up each over, which in the end can prove to be costly.  Everyone must take responsibility for what they do, and you should ask yourself, “what could I have done to improve for next time.”

Next week’s game is at Castle Hill Cricket Club when we take on their U11 Boys.