A fabulous day!
On Sunday, a significant step in the progression of female cricket in the Liverpool Comp was made with the first day of its newly launched Women’s Super 8’s Hardball Tournament. Super 8’s is a ‘transition’ product designed for players who wish to move up from softball to hardball as well as catering for those have played hardball cricket already.

The Meet took place at Firwood Bootle, with Wadham Road ground bathed in sunlight from first ball to last. The 8 a side, 16 over Tournament is being contested by 5 teams: Firwood Bootle Belles, Hightown Hurricanes, Liverpool, Tarleton Tornadoes and a combined ‘Group’ team with players from 3 clubs: Northern Ninjas, Old Xaverians and Sefton Park, in order to provide maximum flexibility to clubs and opportunity to players wishing to compete at hardball level.

The cricket did not disappoint and was played in fabulous spirit. Perhaps fittingly, the first match was contested between the Belles and the Hurricanes, 2 teams that have been at the forefront of women’s hardball cricket development within our member clubs, both having played the format in external competitions.

Hurricanes decided to field but offensive batting from the opening pair of Jackie Rose and Sanya saw the hosts to 227 at the end of their 4 over partnership. The remainder of the innings saw wickets fall at regular intervals but a healthy run rate was maintained. A target of 271 was set with Julie Allan the pick of the bowlers with 3-19. In reply, Hurricanes lost 2 early wickets which made the task of overhauling Bootle’s challenging total more difficult still. Good steady accumulation followed from the middle pairs but there was too much to do when the last pair came to the wicket. In the end, finishing on 248 for the loss of only 3 wickets was creditable given the early setbacks.

Game 2 featured the Hurricanes again, this time against a hybrid team made up of players from 3 different clubs and captained by Sefton Park’s Sarah John. Having been inserted, the team posted 277 with opener Eleanor Sinker hitting 20 off 10 balls. Captain, Julie Allan took 2-17 to collect figures for the day of 5 for 36 from her allotted 8 overs. The last pair of Sarah John and Frankie Morris hit 24 to set up a stiff target for the Hurricanes. Led by Julie Allan, the opening pair posted 20 to set a good foundation. However, the Group team took 4 wickets in the middle 8 overs to wrestle the advantage, with 2 exceptional catches taken at short cover and short mid on by Sarah John and Aiashah Amjad, respectively, and saw them run out winners by 31 runs.

Liverpool contested the final game with the Group team. The latter posted 277 with the final pair of Morris and John scoring 35 runs. Lola Roots bowled exceptionally well for Liverpool taking 3-19. Two run outs in the first 4 overs set Liverpool’s run chase back they closed on 234 to give the Group team their second win of the day.

Overall a fabulous day was had, brilliantly hosted by Firwood Bootle to whom we are grateful. MEET 2 takes place at the same venue on Sunday 20th September. The top 2 placed teams will then go forward to the Super 8’s Final at the Comps W&G Finals Day at Northern CC on Sunday 27th September. The game will follow the Softball Tournament Final and Presentation.

http://www.lpoolcomp.co.uk/youth_cricket.php?id=3562

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