Double Softball Win!

In scorching temperatures, the fearless softballers head out for two matches. A Div 2 League match at Liphook & Ripsley, and a friendly at Broxhead against Peper Harow Palominos - and double win followed!

Warm weather and a friendly opposition greeted us at Liphook & Ripsley Cricket ground.

Although the Strikers lost the toss, the batting order was decided with Becca and Kirsty up first to bat, rainbow laces tightly tied. They were off to a swift start with a solid 4 off the first ball - well waited by Becca and hit behind. Not wanting to be outdone, Kirsty also hit 4 off her first ball and the runs were racking up.

Liphook took a catch for their first wicket but the Strikers kept the runs coming in thick and fast. The last over of the partnership saw some great fielding, with Liphook stopping a 4 by just a blade of grass on the boundary.

Susie & Lucie were next in to bat. Getting 4 off the first ball was becoming a habit! They followed this with some well-run singles. Waiting was key as the bowlers struggled to bring consistency and several wides were notched up. A potential catch was dropped at silly mid wicket followed by a 4 off the next ball for Lucie and when she hit her second boundary, she was dancing in the wicket - a well-deserved celebration!

Third pair of Kate J and Charlie B were quick to bring many more runs to the scoreboard with consistent batting, whilst facing some much faster balls from the opposition. More blustery conditions and a dog on the pitch didn’t stop the boundaries coming for the Strikers!

With Zoë and Nicky as the final pair, Nicky wasted no time hitting several boundaries in all directions, keeping the fielders on their toes and the runs building up. Despite a loss of wicket to an easy but well taken catch off Zoë’s batting, the final scoreboard ticket over to a very respectable 324.

The Strikers couldn’t have wished for a better start to the second innings with Kirsty catching behind from Lucie’s first ball! The field were set to prevent the boundaries and they did so several times, even when the dry pitch was a bit bumpy and sent the ball off in all directions.

Some rapid fielding by Charlie B from Zoë’s bowling finished with Nicky hitting the stumps and a run out was on the score sheet.

Most players gave bowling a go with many dot balls and fewer wides than the opposition, keeping us on track for victory. Some adjustments were made in the field, including lots of to-ing and fro-ing when their left hander was facing but this was all taken in our stride as the step counter worked overtime! Nicky knocked the bails off with an accurate ball and we were up to the final pair who needed to score 60 for a win.

With several balls aimed at their feet and the field set to minimise the boundaries, Grayshott limited Liphook’s scoring to a total of 289 runs to end with a comfortable victory for the Strikers.

The afternoon finished with Liphook providing Prosecco for everyone and several scrummy sweet treats such as banoffee pie, watermelon and scones for a fantastic ending to a wonderful afternoon’s cricket - all this at a beautiful setting against a very friendly opposition. Thanks Liphook & Ripsley, and to Paul H for umpiring, and well done Strikers!