The 2014 season was a season of two halves. At the half way stage the Bishop’s Stortford Ladies topped the table and looked in good form to push for a promotion spot, but suffered in the second half due to unavailability and a run of losses towards the latter games of the season. Many positives can be taken from the season with some good performances coming from some of the younger players which should put the ladies in a good position for next season.

The first game of the season saw Bishop’s Stortford hosted Bells Yew Green CC, and the game turned into a real battle. Stortford batted first and put on a commanding total of 197-4 in their 40 overs. Anna Swan made 91, backed up with a useful knock from Cath Cameron (48) and Ali Bell (25 not out). Feeling confident the hosts took to the field and the visitors were always struggling to reach the total, falling short at 164-6, with the only real resistance coming from S. Wright who made 83 before falling to Zoe Minton.

The second game of the season wasn’t quite the same batting performance with only Anna Swan providing resistance making 73, with only 1 other player making double figures. This left a lot of work but the bowlers took this in their stride. Both openers Caitlin Brown and Amie Chapman were unfortunate not to take wickets but their tidy bowling set the tone for the change bowlers to come in and take the wickets. 2 apiece for Rachel Clarke, Pheobe Martin, Amber Mays and Zoe Minton, really showed the young bowling talent that the ladies have with just one bowler used on the day over the age of 16! The visitors were bowled out for 102 off 32 overs.

A visit from Leeds & Broomfield with only 8 players brought the 3rd win of season. Rachel Clark taking 3-10 and Bex Maybury 2-16. Another start Rebecca Witherden with 26 to support a fantastic performance from Clarke finishing with 44 saw the ladies over the line.

An away game to Ansty saw the Ladies put under real pressure and put into bat they only managed to put on 147. Penny Everett scored a fantastic 88*, with Rebecca Witherden the only other player reaching double figures. Unfortunately the bowlers couldn’t claw back a win from this one and Ansty comfortably made the total with 7 overs to spare with the loss of just 2 wickets.

East Herts Ladies were thoroughly beaten at Stortford with another good batting performance, Anna Swan making 111* and Sarah Waters 46 to post a commanding total of 217-3. In reply only Helen Perry could amount a score and she steadily reached 46. However, the visitors were always well behind the run rate, and it wasn’t until the final over of the day that Zoe Minton took the final wicket, finishing with impressive figures of 4-11.

A re-arranged fixture against Catford, saw one of the closer games of the season. Having bowled first, Catford made 132 with only 9 players. On debut for the season Emma Hynds, took a good catch, and young player Amber Mays bowled well for her full 8 overs taking an important wicket in the process. With a depleted Stortford side the captain Rebecca Witherden and Ali Bell even had a bowl, but the pick of the bowlers on this occasion was Zoe Minton taking 4-11 off her 8 overs. In reply, contributions all round saw us over the line in 30.1 overs. Rebecca Witherden making 30, Caitlin Brown 35 and player of the match Zoe Minton 28*.

A real positive from the season came on the road, beating Bells Yew with both Captain and vice-captain unavailable due to illness and injury. Caitlin Brown took the captaincy and put in a real captains performance making 45 with the bat (very well supported by Penny Everett 68), and then taking 3-15 off 8 from her overs. With captain on the side-lines it was a nervous finish but they managed to hold off the hosts winning by a margin of just 3 runs! Stand in wicket-keeper Lori Morrison also deserves a mention for a good performance behind the stumps.

It was at this point the season took a turn for the worse with Stortford losing their remaining 3 matches.

Firstly being comprehensively beaten by Colchester and East Essex CC, (218-5 vs 80 all out). Given an advantage of Stortford only being able to field 9 players Colchester took control and Stortford never really got themselves into the match.

A disappointing trip to East Herts, again showed a weakness in our batting line up with only 101 being posted, and the hosts chasing down in 24.1 overs.

Despite a more positive performance against Ansty CC to finish, again too few runs with only 128 being made (Witherden 42, Swan 36), the visitors reached their total for the loss of 1 wicket.

Bishop’s Stortford Ladies XI finished 4th overall, and although some disappointing results towards the end of the season the positives that arose outweigh these. Young bowlers Amie Chapman and Zoe Minton continued to show the merits of youth over experience and newbies to the club Phoebe Martin and Amber Mays were both very valuable additions to the side. All rounders Clarke and Brown both put in superb performances on their day, and all the batters contributed along the way. Some more consistent batting performances and the conversions of 20s and 30s into big scores will see the side become even more competitive for the 2015 season. With a re-arrange league system next year, some stronger sides will provide a real test for the young side.

Awards winners were Zoe Minton for the bowling award, Anna Swan for the batting, and Caitlin Brown took the contribution award. A final thank you must go to Rebecca Witherden for her captaincy and support through the season and Nigel Witherden for his coaching.

Anna Swan

Ladies Manager