EIGHT ladies teams from all over Devon visited Hatherleigh on a hot a sunny Sunday to take part in an eight a side cricket tournament. The teams were split into two leagues with each team playing three matches, culminating in a play off between the first and second placed teams in each league. A closely contested play off between the second placed teams was won by Hatherleigh who beat Plymouth. There were some fine batting and bowling displays by both teams, but a key point in Hatherleighs victory was a hat trick in the final over by Gemma Anstey. The overall winners were Abbotskerswell who beat Bovey Tracey in a tight game with only one run separating the two sides. l Hatherleigh Ladies played their first league match of the season against Axminster. Hatherleigh lost the toss and were put in to bat, and despite getting off to a bad start with an unfortunate run-out in the first over went on to score 149 in their 30 overs. Superb batting from Frances Lausen (58) ably supported in the final overs by Mel Balsdon (15 no) ensured that the bowlers had a good target to defend. Good bowling backed up by tight fielding restricted Axminster to 115 for 8 in their reply. Pick of the bowlers for Hatherleigh were Leanne Drew with 16 for 3 and Gemma Anstey 18 for 3. l THANKS to diligent work by the groundsman and helpers Hatherleigh Ladies cricket team were able to play their re-arranged league fixture against Plymouth on Sunday morning. Plymouth won the toss and opted to bat. Thanks to very accurate bowling by Hatherleigh?s Mel Balsdon and Anna Cherrington, ably supported by a good run out from the fielding combination of Rachel Piddington and Ruth Penberthy, they were restricted to 15 runs for the loss of 4 wickets off the first 10 overs. The visitors managed to consolidate under the direction of their captain, Laura Foley (23 no) well supported by Kayleigh Baskerville (15) and finished on a total of 82 for 7 off their allotted overs. With clouds building up Hatherleigh started with a very spirited reply, Frances Lausen (44 no) and Tammy Martin (33 no) steered the home side to victory, without loss, after 15.1 overs.
