After having to concede our second game of the season away at Exmouth we entertained Cornwood at home in our 3rd game of the season, unfortunately we only had 9 players for this game.
We won the toss and asked Cornwood to bat first, allowing Claire Varcoe (0-11) and Kaylie Baskerville to take the new ball. Cornwood started well and our first bowling change bought about a couple of wickets for Laura Foley (2-27). Kaylie (1-23) also took a wicket along with Karen Bewley (1-21) as we made in roads into the Cornwood batting line up. Philippa Davey (1-19) also chipped in with a wicket and 2 run outs left Cornwood on 137-7. Had we had 2 extra fielders this would have been less!
Our innings started very badly when we lost Claire (0), Karen (1) and Charlie (0), very quickly. Debbie quickly followed for 5 and it was left to Kaylie and Kath Van Beveren to try and repair the damage. Kaylie went for 19 and Kath for 21 after doing a great job in the middle. Runs did come but sadly wickets fell to regularly, Donna Ware (6) and Laura Foley (5) as our 8 wickets fell for 106, Philippa left 12 not out with 5 overs left. Again, with 11 there is every chance we would have won this game, we also gave them 10 more extras which didn't help our cause.
We are currently bottom but can be proud that we are the only team to beat top of the league Bovey Tracey - which goes to show that we still have every chance to climb up the table and challenge for the title we won 2 years ago.
On Sunday, the ladies travelled up to Bovey Tracey to play their first match of the season. Back in Division 2 which we won 2 years ago hopes were high of repeating our success and with a couple of new faces and some returning ones the season couldn't have started better, even with only 10 players!
We won the toss and asked Bovey to bat first. The new ball was taken by Laura Foley and Kaylie Baskerville and in the opening 6 overs they shared 5 wickets between them (2 for Laura and 3 for Kaylie). Claire Varcoe and Kath Van Beveren replaced these 2 and Claire took 2 further wickets to leave Bovey struggling. Bethan Davey took a wicket, as did Donna Ware on her return from 'maternity leave'. Kaylie rejoined the attack and claimed her 4th wicket, bowling Bovey out for just 62 in 20.4 overs. Kaylie finished with 4-21, Claire 2-5 and Laura 2-15.
Charlie Shobrook opened the batting with Claire and these two pushed the score along to 49 before Claire was well caught for 28. Debbie Fuge was next in but also next out without troubling the scorers. Charlie (23) was next out at 57 but Kaylie (2*) and Donna (0*) saw Plymouth safely home to a seven wicket victory.
A great start to the season for Plymouth Ladies with impressive bowling, fielding and batting and a great team spirit lets hope we can keep this up!