It was a scorching hot day at Brockhampton’s picturesque ground, with Earlswood set to face the team responsible for denting their unbeaten record earlier this season. They were prepped for a competitive match! On the back of a crushing victory against Berkswell 2s, and with a number of the girls finding success in Saturday league cricket, confidence was understandably high.

It was a good toss for Earlswood to win, electing to put Brockhampton in the field during the hottest part of the day. Opening up, Amy Weir and Laura Smitten ran together extremely well, orchestrating a partnership of 86. Despite the heat, the opening pair pushed for a four when Laura played a beautiful cover drive to the longest boundary. It was a shot worthy of both the runs and the 3-minute breather that had to be taken after! Playing with a well-earned confidence, Laura timed the ball brilliantly, playing shots all-round the ground. Not allowing the bowlers to settle, Smits played particularly well on the back-foot, creaming slightly-short deliveries through mid-wicket.

Four relatively quick wickets fell after Laura reached her explosive half-century; Laura was bowled, Amy snicked off to the keeper, while Natasha Smitten (Tash) was subject to a harsh umpiring decision. Katie Brown and Maddie Church both started their innings well, utilising the pull-shot as the ball sat up. However, they both fell at the hands of Brockhampton's strongest bowler, Warwickshire's Harriet Shuker. Charlotte Pettigrew (Lottie) worked hard in the middle overs to keep the scoreboard ticking over, providing stability at one end. She manipulated the ball well for a tidy 17 before, too, falling at the hands of Shuker.

Livia Plester (Liv) and Cerys Brown’s partnership at the end of the innings was a crucial one. Reading the situation maturely, Liv (20) and Cerys (10) positively took Earlswood through the full 40 overs; knocking the good balls into gaps and putting the bad balls away. On a day so intrusively hot that all the spectators had set up camp in the shade on one side of the ground, 178 was an impressive total.
Our usual umpire, Andy Rowland, was away, so we were grateful to Earlswood’s spectators who stepped in this game to do square leg. They all got a good cheer after finishing their stint as umpires!

With expectations high after a brilliant spell against Wolverhampton, Cerys did not disappoint heading up the Earlswood bowling attack. Her figures speak for themselves: 8 overs, 4 maidens, 18 runs and 3 wickets. That's an economy of 2.25! It is safe to say that this is a true reflection of her spell. Laura took a sharp catch at mid-wicket to bring up Cerys's first. Having been swept for four the previous ball, the left-handed spinner responded with a brilliant delivery that made the remaining opener regret trying her chances at a second sweep. Ready for the edge, Tash's quick hands brought up the player of the match’s third and final wicket.

Despite a few wayward deliveries, with the ball difficult to grip in such humidity, the seamers bowled some brilliant deliveries that kept the opposition on their toes. Just as Brockhampton’s number 4 was beginning to look settled, Freya Plester bowled an absolute gem of a delivery to send Georgina Williams on her way.

Bizarrely, Brockhampton’s 10 and 11 played some of their team’s best cricket, making the change bowlers tight spells crucial. Lottie and Laura’s spin bowling gave very little away, both picking up three wickets each. Katie took a challenging catch at cover for Laura’s second wicket, running forward and taking the ball low. Turning the ball sharply away from the right-handers, Laura would've had a fourth was it not for Amy's inability to roll, with the ball falling out her hands at gully as she landed, diving forward. Lottie got the final wicket with an impressively slick caught and bowled; an apt way to end an impressive fielding perfomance by Girlswood.

Fundamentally, Earlswood played the game with a supportive, cohesive and confident attitude. The team even broke into song in the changing-room after the team-talk! In difficult conditions, Earlswood secured an important win that puts them back in control of the division.