Back to league action for the Ladies 1st XI this week as they travelled with 10 to play Hursley Park's 3rd XI who also had 10 players on the day. Field skipper Izzy Russell won the toss and after some sisterly debate decided to bowl first on a grassy pitch with a short boundary on one side.

Petersfield mixed things up with Rosie Bruce opening the bowling with Holly Haynes and both bowlers swung the ball early on, the Hursley openers started well at 20 without loss until Haynes bowled opener Clark. Skipper Russell then introduced the two Petersfield U13 players, Nell Chetwood and Isabelle Masterson with Nell picking up the wicket of Charman-Hall for a duck, caught by Holly Haynes in the covers. Kate Harfield then combined well with Isabelle Masterson to run out Boylin for 7 and when Simone Hellyer entered the attack and bowled Bea Edwards for another duck Hursley were in some trouble at 45 for 4. Opener Lucy Evans showed some great attacking flair as she hit 43 which included 5 boundary 4's however Kate Harfield also showed her more than credible swing bowling picking up two quick wickets and when Georgie Russell bowled Evans and then Richmond with her spin it was left to Laura Ineson to try out her new leg spin (thanks Joe!) to close out the Hursley innings with a good return catch with the team score on 92.

Petersfield stuck with opening duo Lily George and Georgie Russell who started carefully before Russell cut loose with some powerful sweeps and pulls that had the square leg umpire in some danger. Russell then found an inventive way to play the bowl through her own legs and just onto the stumps for 37 from 35 balls, Laura Ineson had a 5 ball 7 run cameo in her normal attacking style before departing with the score on 68 for 2. Petersfield could have wobbled but skipper Izzy Russell came to the crease and hit two lovely lofted drives to settle any nerves and the departure of Lily George for 17 didn't take the gloss off of a good 7 wicket win for the Red Rose in Hursley Park - I've waited quite a long time to say that!

Well played all.