It was a match that had everything: elegance, drama, controversy — and a run out worthy of any highlights reel. North London’s U15 girls, blooding several younger players due to exam season clashes, produced a performance rich in character and resilience, only to be edged out by Stanmore in the final over. The margin? Two wickets. The sentiment? One of pride, not disappointment.

The undoubted star was M Bhullar, whose unbeaten 89 from 60 balls was a study in composed aggression. With crisp drives, elegant flicks and one towering six, she seemed to be playing a different game to everyone else. Around her, the North London batting card read like a storm-damaged fence — wickets falling regularly, gaps in the structure — but Bhullar held firm. Her partnership with Townend (26 off 22) gave the innings a flying start, but the middle order offered little resistance as Stanmore chipped away.

Stanmore’s chase was patchy but persistent. While no batter truly dominated, they benefited from a stream of extras — 47 in total — which inflated their total and kept the pressure on North London’s bowlers. Yet the hosts refused to buckle. Lottie Burns bowled with discipline to claim two wickets, and both Washida and Crowe chipped in with timely breakthroughs.

But the moment of the match belonged to Washida. Fielding on the square leg boundary, she launched a flat, accurate throw to execute a sensational run out — sending the dangerous Shah back to the hutch with only one stump to aim at. It was a moment that electrified the North London camp and shifted the momentum back their way.

Through it all, the team carried themselves with composure, particularly in the face of a vocal and, at times, pushy opposition support. “Come on ump, that was a no-ball!”, “That was never a wide!”, “That was definitely a boundary!” — on and on they prattled, ad nauseam. But North London’s young side held their discipline and focus, rising above the noise. It took some firm and confident umpiring from Crowe to maintain order in the middle. Come on, guys — it’s only a game!

With Stanmore needing 10 runs off the final 12 balls, North London’s bowlers fought tooth and nail. But A Shah steered the visitors home with just two balls to spare.

Despite the result, this was a deeply encouraging outing for a North London side fielding a number of emerging talents in the absence of several regulars. Bhullar’s innings was a gem, Washida’s run out a bolt of brilliance, and the team’s unity under pressure a marker of things to come.