AS YORKSHIRE U15s TRIUMPH OVER DERBYSHIRE
Captain Rachel Slater (pictured)led from the front scoring her maiden county 50 for Yorkshire Girls Under 15’s as Yorkshire played host to neighbours Derbyshire in the season opener.
Slater commented: “Nice to get my first county 50 today, it was a great win to start the season and all the girls played really well in what was a real team effort.”
A difficult start for the Yorkshire side saw Derbyshire firmly in the driving seat with Yorkshire on 14 for 2 after just three overs. Hard hitting Leah Dobson alongside all-rounder Fran Goldthorp began rebuilding the home side’s innings before Goldthorp fell for 21. Libby Fox continued to offer Dobson support before Dobson fell 12 short of her half century.
With the score on 82 for 4, Fox and Slater began to build a 58 run partnership before Fox was bowled by Derbyshire’s Keeley Brodrick. With Annie Cardwell now at the crease the run rate accelerated towards the end of the Yorkshire innings which ended without further loss at 206 for 5, Slater ending on 61* and Cardwell on 28*.
Fresh off their win over Nottinghamshire the previous week, the Derbyshire openers set about the Yorkshire bowling attack before Fenella Hibbert removed Derbyshire’s Hannah Slack for 5 followed by Alice Harwood only 5 balls later. Hibbert finishing with figures of 6 overs 2 wickets for 9 runs.
Derbyshire’s opener Molly Dytham took the lead role in rebuilding the innings, however a flurry of wickets led to Dytham being removed by the ever accurate Amy Jobling. Drinks were taken after Rebecca Coe took the wickets of the Derbyshire middle order, with the score now on 63 for 4.
The break gave Yorkshire an opportunity to regroup and with a renewed sense of urgency began to take wickets at regular intervals. Georgia Draper finishing with figures of 2 wickets for 6 runs from her 4 overs.Yorkshire continued to take wickets with Slater and Alice Grant both in the wickets until the Derbyshire tail looked like they may yet hold on to the end. Katie Baines however had other ideas with an excellent direct hit run out from the covers, which left Julia Draycott short by a long way and the Derbyshire innings ended on 107 all out.
With extras on both sides being the second highest scorer after Slater, the Yorkshire side still have work to do if they are to lift the Royal London trophy at the end of August.
Coach James Spencer said: “It’s obviously a great way to start the season. The girls have been working hard all winter. Derbyshire are a good side and we have plenty of things to work on but the girls should have a great confidence boost from today’s game.”
The next fixture will be held at Sheffield and Phoenix United, Bawtry Road on Monday 8th May against Nottinghamshire.