With six new players (Laura Pearson, Maisie Sinclair, Becca Oliver, Katie Chomse, Lottie Glover-Stewart and Rowan Rochester) joining the Benwell Hill Ladies squad this season the team have enjoyed recent friendly successes against Tynedale and Stocksfield by mixing batting orders and bowling attacks to accommodate all players. The results of the new combinations are so far proving very exciting.
Playing away to Tynedale on Tuesday 11 August the Ladies won the toss and elected to bat – runs were shared throughout the team but special mention to Captain Emily Whiting who was retired on 50 giving the team 139 for Tynedale to chase. Bowling was shared throughout the team but a brace of wickets each went to new girl Lottie Glover-Stewart, Ellie Taylor and Annie Anderson. Tynedale fell short of our total by 18 runs.
On Tuesday 18 August playing away at Stocksfield the Ladies won the toss and elected to bat first. Runs were shared throughout the team with Ella Lillico top scoring and was retired on 32 giving Stocksfield 103 to chase. The Hill’s bowling attack proved too strong for Stocksfield who could only post 34 in reply before they lost 10 wickets. Honours went to Lottie Glover Stewart and Maisie Sinclair who took 3 wickets each, Katie Chomse and Niamh Brennan who took 2 wickets each with Annie Anderson keeping a clean sheet with 3 maiden overs. There is an impressive dynamism in the field with the new squad, and it was great to see the five catches in the safe hands of Becca Oliver, Nicky Baguley, Ella Lillico as well as two to Niamh Brennan.
We expect to be challenged by Matfen this coming Thursday (27th August) who will bring their Durham Academy stars, as well as in the return matches against Tynedale and South North the following week. With the added depth and youth in our squad the future looks promising for Benwell Hill Ladies.
