Bells Yew Green in tune

Bells Yew Green Under-13s and Under-15s have battled their way through to the National Finals of the Lady Taverners Competition which will be held on August Bank Holiday weekend.

Representing Sussex in the recent regional finals, where eight-a-side teams bowled eight overs, both Bells Yew Green sides emerged victorious over sides from the south east.

Bells Yew Green U13s got off to a poor start when they lost off the last ball to North London, Sarah Martins and Paige Scolfield helping the Sussex side to 69 from their eight overs which proved not enough.

Bells Yew Green needed to beat St Lawrence and exceed their score by at least 28 runs to go through. The openers laid a solid foundation enabling Bells Yew Green to notch up 78, the best score of the day, with Jess Chapman scoring another 20. All that was needed was some tidy bowling and fielding.

Early wickets and great keeping by Becky Upfold put pressure on St Lawrence while excellent bowling by Nicki Howell and Rachel McKernan, and superb fielding throughout by Lucy Knott restricted St Lawrence to 48.

The U15 competition was split into two groups. Bells Yew Green first played Kelveden & Feering and set a useful score of 64 with Alice Richards retiring at 25.

Bells Yew Green Under-15s celebrate winning the regional final - now they will represent London & SE

Kelveden replied strongly with 31 after four overs but the loss of the opening batsmen together with tight bowling slowed the run rate. Spinner Sophie Bowen bowled a fine last over to secure a 25-run win.

Up next were Stradbroke who were blown away in some style.

Batting first, Bells Yew Green racked up an impressive 104 for no wickets, Richards and Sam Wright retiring having passed the 25 mark.

Bells Yew Green then proceeded to bowl the opposition out in seven overs for just 27 runs. Maria Young started the rout while Sophie Bowen returned superb figures of 4-2. The rest of the wickets were taken by Beth Hirst and Issi Michie.

The final was a hard fought match played against the winners from the other group, Colfiens from Kent.

Bells Yew Green once again batted first but were restricted to 61 for three with Wright and Michie exceeding 25.

Colfiens started well but a maiden over by Richards put them behind the run rate. Tight bowling and some sharp wicketkeeping from Imi Dell meant the batters could not find their stride. Wickets in consecutive overs by Young, Beth Hirst and Wright left the Kent side 12 runs adrift.

Both teams will now go forward to represent the London & South East region on August 30.