- named for 2017
A squad of 18 players has been named for the 2017 season.
In announcing the squad, Head Coach Ruan Louw commented ''Our England players have a busy summer so are only available for a small number of games. With this is mind Jess Watson has been appointed Captain for 2017. Jess is an experience county player and has embraced her new role as Captain.''
The squad is:
Jess Watson (C)
Lauren Winfield
Katherine Brunt
Danielle Hazell
Beth Langston
Anna Nicholls
Rebecca Newark
Hollie Armitage
Hannah Buck
Steph Butler
Teresa Graves
Hannah Poulter
Katie Levick
Rachel Hildreth
Maddie Walsh
Cecilia Allen
Charlotte North
Katie Thompson
The season started with successive victories against Derbyshire and Middlesex at Harrogate CC - Coach Ruan Louw reports:
''After an excellent winter in which the players really pushed the boundaries in training, there was expectation in the air and some decent weather. Captain Jess Watson won the toss and decided to have a bat. In an innings that saw ups and downs all the way through, Rebecca Newark scored a solid 38 and Maddie Walsh a sharp 29, before Katie Levick and Katie Thompson hit all corners of the ground in a very satisfying and unbeaten 10th wicket partnership of 51 runs. Levick finishing on 30 not out and Thompson on 27 not out. We posted 199/9.
Berkshire were never allowed to find their feet and we bowled them out for 89 in 32.3 overs. Levick bagging 4 for 8, Maddie 3 for 9 and Thompson 2 for 14.
The next morning we were back for more against Middlesex.
Jess lost the toss and we were asked to bowl.Only a very composed 80 from Beth Morgan allowed Middlesex to reach 142 all out. Levick with another 3 wickets, Maddie added 2 more and after returning from a holiday with England, Hollie Armitage bagged 2 for 8. Anna Nicholls kept brilliantly including a very sharp stumping chance. With wickets seeming to come at intervals throughout the innings, contributions from Anna Nicholls (20), Rebecca Newark (22), Steph Butler (21) and Maddie Walsh (18*) saw us home safely in 39 overs.
A great weekend all round and 34 points from a possible 36.
On 14/5/17 we have our next match against the age old enemy, Lancashire, again at Harrogate 11:00 start.''