Clive Huxley Memorial Cup: Hook Ladies (81 for 4 and 69 for 6) beat Burton Ladies (87 for 7 and 62 for 6) by 4 wickets

Traditional rivals Burton Ladies and their counterparts from Hook fought out the Ladies Cricket Final before the latter won off the penultimate ball of the match at the picturesque Stackpole ground.

Appropriately, it was Kath Adams who joined Nicola Hutchings in hitting off the winning runs for Hook because she is the daughter of the late Clive Huxley, whose memory is now recorded on the splendid new trophy presented to Ladies’ cricket in the county for annual competition by the Huxley Family.

Put in to bat first, Burton struggled at the outset as good bowling by Leanne Jones saw them lose three wickets with just a single on the board - but responsible batting by Elaine Scale (35, including four fours) and her daughter Llewella (2) advanced the score to 40 before Elaine was joined by Rebecca Jones (20) an another stand of 41 that saw Burton to the calmer waters of 87 for 7 from their allotted 20 over.

Leanne Jones’ produced splendid figures of 5 for 10, assisted by Kath Adams (1 for 13) and Nicola Hutchings (1 for 16) as the pick of the Hook bowlers.

Hook also struggled to gain any momentum as Jo Kerrison was run out early and was quickly followed by Leanne Jones and Alice Sturgeon for three apiece – but Kath Adams put her experience to good effect in a partnership of 50 with Sam Rossiter, who was finally dismissed for 47 (four boundaries) by Anna Ridge. Adams contributed an important unbeaten 15 to the Hook cause as they went in to tea with the match nicely poised as Burton led by six runs.

Burton again began badly as Kath Adams shifted Finola Scale and Lilly Thomas, whilst Maisie Davies removed Llewella Scale.

Elaine Scale batted throughout the innings for her gritty 33 not out as Ffion Ashman also chipped in with double figures Alice Sturgeon grabbed three wickets for only six runs and Adams’ 2 for 8 helped restrict Burton to 62 for 6 and set Hook a target of 69 to win.

Hook started steadily but lost Rossiter for 10, stumped by Rebecca Jones, Jo Kerrison (run out for 17) and Leanne Jones (9) from a return catch to Llewella Scale.

Alice Sturgeon departed to Llewella Scale as part of a 4 for 15 haul but Kath Adams batted sensibly and after a few hiccups at the other end was joined by Nicola Hutchings needed four runs from the final over.

Three singles and a dot ball took the teams level and then a quick single saw Hook home – and the delighted recipients of this excellent new trophy!

SCORECARD:

First Innings:

Burton batting:

Finola Scale ct Sam Rossiter b Leanne Jones 1

Elaine Scale ct Sam Rossiter b Leanne Jones 35

Lily Thomas b Leanne Jones 0

Ffion Ashman b Leanne Jones 0

Llewella Scale ct Kath Adams b Nicky Morris 20

Rebecca Jones b Kath Adams 20

Liz Jones b Leanne Jones 1

Lucy Jameson not out 1

Extras 9

Total (7 wickets) 87

Hook Bowling:

Kath Adams 4-1-13-1; Leanne Jones 4-1-10-5; Nicky Hutchings 4-0-16-1; Maisie Davies 4-0-19-0; Alice Sturgeon 2-0-14-0; Ellin Morgan 2-0-14-0.

Hook Batting:

Sam Rossiter ct Rachel Jones b Anna Ridge 47

Jo Kerrison run out 1

Leanne Jones ct Rebecca Jones b Lily Thomas 3

Alice Sturgeon b Lily Thomas 3

Kath Adams not out 15

Kate Miller not out 1

Extras 11

Total (4 wickets) 81

Burton Bowling:

Ffion Ashman 4-0-13-1; Lily Thomas 4-0-13-2; Llewella Scale 4-0-16-0; Anna Ridge 4-0-18-1; Finola Scale 4-0-18-0

Second Innings:

Burton Batting:

Finola Scale b Kath Adams 1

Elaine Scale not out 33

Lily Thomas b Kath Adams 1

Llewella Scale ct Ellin Miller b Maisie Davies 5

Ffion Ashman ct Janet Bevan b Alice Sturgeon 10

R Jones ct Nicky Hutchings b Alice Sturgeon 0

L Jones ct Jo Kerrison b Alice Sturgeon 5

Lucy Jameson not out 1

Extras 6

Total (6 wickets) 62

Hook Bowling:

Kath Adams 4-0-8-2; Leanne Jones 4-0-17-0; Maisie Davies 4-0-11-1; Nicky Morris 4-0-7-0; Janet Bevan 2-0-11-0; Alice Sturgeon 2-0-6-3

Hook Batting:

Sam Rossiter st Rebecca Jones b Llewella Scale 10

Jo Kerrison run out 17

Leanne Jones c & b Llewella Scale 13

Alice Sturgeon ct Rebecca Jones b Llewella Scale 7

Kath Adams not out 8

K Miller ct & b Llewella Scale 2

Ellin Miller b Finola Scale 0

Nicky Hutchings not out 4

Extras 8

Total (6 wickets) 69

Burton Bowling:

Ffion Ashman 4-0-11-0; Lily Thomas 4-0-10-0; Anna Ridge 4-1-10-0; Llewella Scale 4-0- 15-4; Finola Scale 3.5-0-19-1

Umpires: Phil Tallett & Mervyn John

Scorers: Joy James and Diane Morris

Player of the Match: Leanne Jones (Hook)