Cheltenham Women vs Cirencester Women Tuesday 7th May 2019

The season is underway and the Cheltenham Ladies were raring to go.
Put into bat by a depleted Cirencester side for a n 18 overs a side game, Grace got the innings off to a great start with a 4 from the first ball. She and Olivia then built steadily in a fantastic opening partnership of 73 before Olivia, having gone up a gear in the second half of her innings, retired on 51 from 49 balls (5 fours) in the 15th over. Jen came to the wicket and was intent on hitting the ball into next week but got deceived by a high dipping full toss to be bowled for a duck. Cheltenham debutant Sanjana joined Grace at the wicket and they plundered a further 26 runs closing our innings on a credible 119. Grace finishing 39 not out (47 balls, 3 fours), Sanjana 11 not out (12 balls, 1 four). There was some excellent fielding, not least from the cheltenham players making up the numbers in the field for Cirencester.
With the light dimming and the temperature dropping Hannah and Eloise opened the bowling for Cheltenham. Eloise struck in her first over, bowling their wicketkeeper batter for 1. Hannah then got in on the action in her second over bowling the new girl for a second ball duck. Ciren rebuilt with a partnership of 25 before Sanjana removed the other opener, caught and bowled for 7 and Cirencester were stumbling at 32 for 3 in the 9th over with the required rate spiralling upwards. Cheltenham held their grip on the game and Lily trapped the no5 plumb in front LBW for 1. Olivia forced the no4 into a miss timed shot which was gobbled up by Beth and be dismissed for a well made 17. Lily wrapped things up by bowling the no7 for a duck and with Ciren's no8 not wishing to bat that was the game done and dusted, Ciren all out for 47.
A great start to the season with a 72 run victory, a solid batting performance and a great team effort in the field not conceding any boundaries. Well played a Ciren team who are rebuilding and onwards and upwards we go.