Girls 1st XI Cricket team are Runners Up in National 100 Ball Final

The 2022 edition of The Cricket Paper Girls U18 National 100 Ball Final was held at Rugby School.

After being disrupted by heavy rain in the morning, the Shrewsbury vs Rugby Semi Final was reduced to a 40-ball match. Winning the toss, Harriet S (EDH, UVI) put Rugby in to bat. Things didn’t quite go Shrewsbury’s way initially, with Rugby finding boundaries early and showing some real intent with their running. After their allotted 40 ball innings, Rugby posted a total of 60 for the loss of one wicket - a threatening target in just 40 balls. Chloe T (MSH, LVI) however, had other ideas – with a blistering 40 off just 21 balls including 3 sixes and 3 fours seeing Shrewsbury over the line with 9 balls spare. In to another Final!

Whilst the girls sat and watched Bede’s beat Bradfield in the second semi-final, the attention turned to the final. This would be the third time Shrewsbury face Bede’s in a National Final, with the standings currently at Bede’s 1, Shrewsbury 1. Harriet won the toss yet again and put Bede’s in to bat. After their 100 balls, Bede’s post a par score of 156-4 including what would prove to be a match winning knock from Mary Taylor (73), accompanied by Ryana McDonald-Gay (47). The pick of the Shrewsbury bowlers was the skipper herself (1-17 in her 20 balls) tying the game down in the middle period.

Things were starting to look very good for Shrewsbury in the early part of the second innings, with Chloe T continuing her blistering form, accompanied by Georgia N (G, UVI). The pair put on a partnership of 47 before Chloe T was bowled by an excellent yorker from McDonald-Gay. Harriet S then built a quick partnership of 20 with Georgia N before the skipper fell. Rose F (G, V) played her role beautifully with Georgia N adding a further 42 to the team’s total, taking the team to 97-3 with just 59 needed from 45 balls. A very get-able target with Georgia N 40 not out and Rose F 15 not out. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be, with the luck favouring Bede’s. Georgia N was hugely unfortunate to play the ball back on to her own stumps and be dismissed for 40, taking the wind right out of Shrewsbury’s sails. The wickets then fell in quick succession leaving Shrewsbury 106-8 in 100 balls.

A disappointing end to the day, but some hugely pleasing performances on show and an incredibly high standard of cricket.

The Girls have one more Finals Day to go on Wednesday 6^th July. The School Sport Magazine U18 Girls T20 Cup Final is held at Reigate Grammar School, where they will hope to overcome Bede’s in the final, should they beat Bradfield College in the semi-final.    

Gwen Davies
Head of Girls' Cricket