Match Report: Wiltshire Women vs Gloucestershire Women (Monday 6th May)
Wiltshire Women vs Gloucestershire Women – Match Report
Following a late change to venue, due to drainage challenges and wet weather, Wiltshire Women made the journey to the picturesque ground of Dumbleton CC on Monday 6th May for the local derby clash between “The Shires”.
Wiltshire, having welcomed 4 debutants to the team with the ceremonial cap presentations (Sophie Gaiger, Carys Shah, Daisy Bradbury & Holly Presswell) took to the field, having lost the toss. Both Sophie & Carys made their debuts as U14 & U15 cricketers, respectively, in a game that featured some big names from the South-West region, including several Western Storm Academy cricketers on both teams, plus Western Storm’s, Chloe Skelton & England U-19 Cricketer, Katie Jones. A fantastic opportunity for the young players of Wiltshire.
Gloucestershire’s opening batters, Forecast & Ellis took to the crease and set a strong foundation against Wiltshire’s fierce seam-bowling attack, on what appeared to be a good wicket to bat on against quicker bowling. The Gloucestershire openers proceeded to set a 58-run opening partnership, before U14 debutant, Gaiger broke the partnership, dismissing Forecast for 17 (32) with a caught & bowled wicket. Thomson & Shearn supported Gaiger in the seam bowling attack, with some threatening deliveries, creating half-chances regularly, but Gaiger was the pick of the seamers, returning outstanding figures of 8-1-22-1.
The Wiltshire spinners produced the majority of the bowling magic however, racking up 28.3 overs worth of spin in the attack. Katy Cobb returning career best figures and claiming her first Wiltshire 5-wicket haul, with figures of 10-1-24-5. Cobb deceived batters throughout her spell, claiming the key wickets of England’s, Katie Jones, Western Storm Cricketers, Ellis, Skelton & Patel and key number 3 batter, Halliday. Of Katy’s 5 wickets, a remarkable 3 were clean bowled, with the remaining 2 claimed by catches in the inner-ring.
Wiltshire’s energy and intensity in the field also claimed the wickets of Emily Geach & Charlotte Phillips in run-out situations. The remaining wickets were shared between Shearn & Walker, resulting in Gloucestershire being dismissed for a competitive 194, in 49.3 overs.
At the half-way stage, Wiltshire’s head coach, Sam Dent had this to say:
“A brilliant effort by the Wiltshire girls in the field today, claiming all 10 wickets of an exceptional batting line up in the Gloucestershire team. Katy Cobb was simply outstanding today and I’m so pleased to see her hard work from the winter paying off today! We, of course, do have some areas to work on, having had Gloucestershire 151-8 and then 162-9. One of our conversations following today’s game will be how we can create those last wickets – those additional 30 runs could be essential in a game like today! Now over to our batters to chase down 194!”
The Wiltshire innings got underway, following a cricket tea that met all expectations, including strawberries & scones, cake and of course, the healthy fruits too. Gloucestershire & Western Storm’s, Emily Geach opened the bowling and claimed 2 early wickets of Bogg & Hunt, having created lateral movement off the surface with the new ball. With Wiltshire 5-2 in the early stages, Sharman and Thomson met at the crease and began to form a key partnership, with both batters looking strong and putting pressure back on the Gloucestershire attack. This partnership built for serval overs, before an unlucky fall from Captain, Thomson (13) during a single to long-on, caused her to be run-out, leaving Sharman & Smith at the crease. Again, another partnership started to form, with Sharman leading the way with the bat and striking the only six of the game. Unfortunately, wickets also continued to fall however, with Smith being dismissed for 6, and later a flurry of wickets including Walker, Shearn & Presswell, all falling to Gloucestershire’s spinners. Sharman continued to bat beautifully, before eventually being dismissed for a magnificent 46 (78) – an exceptional innings from Wiltshire U16 cricketer, against several academy or professional bowlers. Wiltshire’s innings fizzled out for a score of 87, thanks to an exceptional bowling display from Gloucestershire’s Charlie Phillips, who returned figures of 8.2-5-3-5.
Despite the result and scoreline, Wiltshire’s team can be impressed with their performance against a strong Gloucestershire team. With 7 players in the U18s or younger, the future is very bright and the season ahead is promising, as Wiltshire prepare to play their next fixtures in T20 format against Wales & Dorset on Sunday 26th May.
Wiltshire Women’s Cricketer, Lois Wright, who attended the fixture as assistant coach due to injury on 6th May concluded the game by saying:
“Well done today, Wiltshire! Whilst on the losing side of the result today, we can take a lot of positives from our performance. First of all, Katy Cobb – what a performance. We’re all very proud of you today and we know there are plenty more of these 5-wicket hauls to come from you. Also, to Sophie & Carys as our young debutants, you’ve both been outstanding today, with Sophie claiming her first wicket for Wiltshire and Carys being our fielder of the day! To see the progressions that you have both made in recent years is inspiring”
Head Coach, Sam Dent followed up with…
“I echo those comments and whilst on the losing side today, we’ve all put in a great effort and restricted a very strong Gloucestershire team. It’s exciting to see our squad competing and I know the winning result against Glos will come soon following today’s fixture and another narrow game in 2023. In terms of areas for us to work on, let’s take away some of our learnings today with the bat and how we can effectively cope with spin, whilst putting pressure on the bowler. I think Flo did this superbly today, showing exceptional skills with depth of crease and footwork – well done, Flo! Next up….T20s against Wales & Dorset. We know what to expect, so let’s learn from today and come back stronger next time”
Wiltshire’s next fixture is on Sunday 26th May in a T20 Double-Header against Wales & Dorset at Newport CC at 10.30am & 13.30pm, respectively. Spectators and Supporters are always welcome.
