Women & Girls Compete in First Hard Ball Fixture

The Jets Women’s XI ventured into the Peak District to Buxton CC, taking to the field for the club’s first ever hardball cricket game in the CWCL set up. Expectations weren’t high as five players were making their cricketing debuts - this included one had only come to spectate and was enjoying a cool beer in the Derbyshire sunshine before her last-minute call up. A huge well done to Siân Avery-Lofthouse, Claire Selby, Becky Furness, Bryony White and Rachel Avery for crossing the boundary rope for the first time.

Buxton won the toss and put the Jets into bat. As the opening pair of Heather Mukherjee & Becky Scholes took to the crease, history was made. The first Jets’ boundary came soon after as reward for a great pull shot from Scholes, just bouncing short of the rope to deny her six runs. Batters came and went with Mukherjee (18) remaining at the crease as the first few wickets fell. Despite an injury, a late surge from Kate Avery-Lofthouse (10*) kept the Jets’ total rising. As the innings ended, the team were pleased with a score of 73 at this stage of their journey.

After a great start to the second innings from the pace of Scholes (0-13), the first Buxton wicket fell to a catch by keeper, Kate Avery-Lofthouse off Mukherjee’s (1-11) bowling. Other wickets followed including a run out to dismiss the opener Amy Simcox and a catch off her own bowling for Eliza Bannard-Smith (1-13) on her senior debut. Freya Johnson (3-8) returned the best figures of the game with the ball, supported twice by catches from Jess Hood; one a diving catch that was certainly the champagne moment of the game.

Unfortunately, the team wasn’t able to contain Buxton long enough to stop them reaching the target however, team spirit was high and everyone played a part.