Downham Stow Ladies through to Norfolk Softball Cup final

Downham Stow Ladies played host to Bircham Ladies in the semi-final of the Norfolk Softball Cup.Winning the toss the hosts decided to bowl and started strongly with a wicket for Esther Broad in the first over.The girls’ fielding was very sharp with two catches and a run-out for Atlanta Stevenson.The bowling of the two Molly’s, Taylor and Pybus was as accurate as ever and Molly Hewitt and Freya Matthew’s fielded superbly. In total nine wickets were taken with Bircham reaching a total of 255 for 9.Downham Stow ladies started well and consistently ticked over the total knowing that not even a run a ball was needed.Three wickets were taken by the Bircham ladies but their total proved to be too low with DSCC reaching 314, winning by seven wickets.Downham Stow Ladies now play in the finals day at Alysham St Giles CC on August 18. The ladies hardball team were also in action on Sunday against Snettisham, a team who are always strong competition. The ladies knew that ultimately this game could decide the league.Batting first, Chloe Lacey and Esther Broad both reached 32 with Esther retiring.The rest of the DSCC ladies contributed with single figures until Captain Ellen Kerbey finished with a quick 10 not out. Tracy Reynolds was the pick of the Snettisham bowlers with figures of four overs for 14 and three wickets.Snettisham batted well with Brittany Rose (14), Bonnie Parsons (12) and Julie Fielder (28) all scoring well. Wickets were taken by Molly Pybus and Ellen Kerbey with three for Freya Matthew’s.Esther Broad bowled the final over knowing that Snettisham needed eight to win but only five runs were scored with the DSCC ladies winning by three runs.Broad’s final figures were only 13 runs from her four overs.