3 from 3 for the Brewers on their away day at the Beach!

Alton Ladies made it 3 from 3 after a victorious visit to sunny Bournemouth at the weekend. The combination of the greenish wicket and news that the planned Dorset Women’s game had been cancelled hours earlier made the decision to bowl first an easy one for captain Nic Gadsby. Abi Green opened the bowling running into a strong head wind that disrupted her approach but aided her swing, and after having a fairly clear caught behind turned down, an excellent catch by Julia Moulton, removed any doubt by removing Sarah Matthews’ off stump two balls later. The wind caused Nic issues too bowling from the pavilion end, and Freya Cutler (17) and Victoria Pack (49*) punished anything full or short building a great partnership of 43. After a missed run out opportunity Abi once again clean bowled Freya after her county colleague had played some lovely straight drives. It was then the turn of the spin duo of Amelia Marshall and Gemma Porter to take control of the middle overs. They did much more than that – they effectively ripped out the middle order, taking 2 wickets each, and both executed a run out each when gifted the opportunity. After retiring hurt Victoria Pack came back out to try any manipulate the tail and eek out as many runs as possible, often taking a single off the last ball to frustrate the Brewers. Nic used all her bowling options to keep the opposition guessing and when Sarah Murphy bowled a maiden at Pack to expose the number 10, Gadsby had no qualms about bringing back Abi, who duly finished off the inning, the final wicket an excellent stumping from Marshall, who had by this time taken the gloves.

The Alton response was a tail of three partnerships. The two Gemma’s opened the batting and when Sara Heff (11) joined Gemma P (16) at the crease the pair saw off the opening attack with a mixture of defence and aggression - and built the base with a partnership of 41. The Brewers then lost 3 quick wickets, so it was time for a rebuild. Julia (18) and Sarah C (8) did precisely that with a partnership of 27. Julia taking on the bowlers and Sarah using all of her experience to frustrate at the other end. At drinks Alton were well placed at 80/5. As often happens though, drinks brought wickets and Julia was adjudged lbw and the very next ball Sarah was clean bowled by the excellent Katie Harris (7-1-16-2). That brought together Abi and Sarah Murphy at a time where Chapel Gate were on top, possibly for the first time in the game. Any thoughts of a home victory though were quickly dismissed as Abi went on the attack and struck 31 from 25 balls in a match winning partnership of 42 with Sarah M, who provided excellent support to her younger partner.

Chapel Gate were left to rue what could have been; you have to think that there could have been more runs when the not out batsman is your opener… and surely when you lose a game but your stand out bowler (Katie Harris) only bowls 7 overs…??

Another excellent performance from the Brewers, and very well captained by Nic, who visit Hursley Park next week in what is likely to be a tough outing