The Edinburgh University Cricket Club (EUCC) Women’s team met their St Andrews counterparts in the much anticipated BUCS promotion match at the picturesque, yet temperamental ground at St. Andrews University. A place in the BUCS Premier Division was at stake and Edinburgh’s XI arrived determined and focused, definitely helped by a brilliant minibus playlist.
St. Andrews won the toss and invited Edinburgh to bat first. After a motivational talk by captain Matilda Coke and the weather surprisingly pleasant for October, Edinburgh first years Ruth Foulds and Sara Begg opened the batting with confidence. With the score on 3, EUCC lost their first wicket after a dubious LBW decision and the scene was set for an intense game.
With the ball moving off the pitch and in the air, along with some loose shots by EUCC, wickets started to tumble, with not one player getting to grips with St Andrews’ slow bowling style. Despite valiant efforts from player of the match, Becca Oliver, who scored 22, and Zoe Conway, who scored 19, no one on the Edinburgh side reached double figures.
St. Andrews’ slow bowling style deceived the Edinburgh batswomen into playing too early, culminating in six players being caught. EUCC either missed the ball completely or hit it high up in the air offering an easy catch. Despite not scoring many runs, Hannah Rainey and Molly Scott did defend their wickets for a good length of time. Despite St. Andrews’ bowling being slow, it was by no means accurate, giving away 29 extras for EUCC. Closing the batting was Katie Kippax and Ellie Hird whose failure in communication led to an early run out, leaving EUCC dismissed for 85 runs in 29 overs.
Leading into the second innings, it was EUCC’s turn to field. Oliver opened the bowling in style, achieving 2 consecutive maidens in her opening overs. Begg, who also bowled a magnificent spell, took EUCC’s first wicket, caught spectacularly by wicketkeeper Hird.
This wicket immediately raised Edinburgh’s game, giving the club the confidence they needed to stay in the game.
Edinburgh’s fielding was consistently on point, showing their class as a Premier Division team. Rainey, one of Edinburgh’s most dependable bowlers, delivered, giving Edinburgh their second wicket. Begg impressed with her acrobatic stops, as did Foulds for her superb throwing and Ikra Farooq for not letting anything get past her.
Despite EUCC’s best efforts in the field, their batting total was just not enough, resulting in St Andrews chasing down their score in 21.2 overs.
This Edinburgh side will be back fighting for a place in the Premier Division next year, with plenty of optmism for a bright future. Promotion is certainly an attainable target over the coming seasons.
Image courtesy of Edinburgh University Women’s Cricket Club