Two days after the Ladies 1st XI travelled to Portsmouth the Ladies W10 team made the same journey, it was still breezy and this time we were without any spitfire flyovers.

Skipper Alison Furse lost the toss and Petersfield were asked to bat with league debutant Slaney Hopkins leading the way with Beth Svarovska (top scoring with 15), both quickly find their rhythm we three boundary 4's in the first few overs until Portsmouth's Ladies 1st XI captain from Sunday entered the attack and dismissed Slaney twice which dented Petersfield's progress. Helen Klemm and Maggie Bowers-Bridge brought some stability to the innings (along with some mixed running) with Helen especially putting her winter practice into good effect as she defended the straight balls well from the threating Holly Blown. Charlie Hawkes and Bella Sutton looked to increase the intensity despite the strong breeze which was making the ball move in the air before Charlie skied a cross batted shot. Georgie Robinson and the ever competitive Rachel Martel then joined the fray and after an early set back when Georgie missed a straight one they both upped the scoring finishing with 10 and 13 runs respectively and combining to hit six 4's in the process. This then left last week's heroes, Rachel Heapy and Alison Furse to close out the innings which they did well adding 26 runs to the Petersfield total without loss leaving us on 316 for 4 wickets at the interval.

Portsmouth attacked from the off in their reply with Jo Chan hitting a six and a four from the 1st three balls of the innings however the introduction of Beth, who was having some game, dismissed Chan caught around the corner by Slaney and then bowled Tina Sanchez two balls later, to cap things off Beth then run out Michelle Thomas in the very next over. Portsmouth looked to steady the ship but when Ngoc Carnegie was clean bowled by Georgie Robinson they had some way to go however the last four batters for Portsmouth fought hard to keep in touch. Sensibly skipper Furse relied on herself and Georgie to close out the last four overs of the innings and they were well supported by the usual outstanding fielding deep on the leg side by the Rachels to leave Portsmouth 14 runs short at the end of the innings.

A good start with some of the winter practice showing through and a couple of glorious off side shots as evidence, something to build on for the rest of the season.

Chris.