Frugal bowling sees softball side triumph

THIS week, the ladies softball team hosted Haslington at the Vagrants in an exciting encounter.

- BY DAVE LONG

Crewe were put into bat by the visitors and the first two batting pairs got the score ticking but lost two wickets in the process.

It was the third pair of Ailsa Meakin and Claire Standley who really built momentum with Ailsa hitting a number of effortless sixes, well supported by Claire who also found the boundary on several occasions.

A couple of wickets fell but they added net 32 and 14 respectively to the total.

The final pair faced some accurate and fast Haslington bowling and Lisa Taylor’s 13 was a great effort against such a strong attack. Crewe finished on net 108.

In reply, Haslington’s first two batting pairs scored steadily with just one wicket falling, bowled by Nerys Oates.

At the half way stage Haslington were ahead of the required rate with some strong batters to come.

With the third pair at the crease and scoring freely, a low catch by Rosie Meakin off Lisa Taylor's bowling stemmed the tide and it was all to play for with Haslington’s final pair needing 30 to win off the final four overs.

Some tight fielding piled on the pressure and a hit wicket was followed by a run out after a mix up between the batters.

As boundaries started to flow again, the game was heading for a tight finish but a one handed running catch by Nicki Jarvis on the boundary off Nerys Oates' bowling knocked Haslington back again.