The 2022 edition of the National Finals Day was held at Rugby School. In one Semi-Final, the hosts Rugby School faced Shrewsbury School and in the other semi-final, Bede’s Senior School faced Bradfield College.
The first semi final between Rugby and Shrewsbury was heavily rain affected. Due to time constraints the match was reduced to 40 balls per inns.
Winning the toss and choosing to bowl first, Shrewsbury restricted Rugby to 60 for the loss of 1 wicket from 40 balls. Georgia Irving scoring a quick fire 18 from just 9 balls ably supported by Victoria Jackson with 23 from 25 balls.
Shrewsbury’s skipper, Harriet Shuker was the pick of the bowlers – conceding just 7 runs from her 10 balls, picking up the one and only wicket of the innings. In reply, Shrewsbury’s opening batter Chloe Thomas wasted no time during her innings, firing a fine 40 not out from just 21 balls that included six boundaries (3×4, 3×6). Shrewsbury chased the total in 31 balls losing just one wicket.
The sun finally decided to appear with the ground now far dryer for the second semi-final, and a full 100 ball match to be played between Bede’s and Bradfield. Bede’s won the toss and elected to field first. Due to some consistently tight bowling, Bradfield struggled to find scoring options and were eventually bowled out for 67 in 96 deliveries. Millie Taylor, the pick of the bowlers taking 2 for 11 off her 20 deliveries.
Bede’s were able to chase the score with ease, losing just one wicket in 49 deliveries. Ryana Macdonald-Gay was the standout batter for Bede’s, guiding the team home with 30 runs not out to her name, that included four boundaries (3×4, 1×6).
For the second year running, Shrewsbury School faced Bede’s Senior School in the National Final. Shrewsbury won the toss and asked Bede’s to have a bat first. In their 100 deliveries, Bede’s reached a very healthy total of 156 for the loss of four wickets.
Mary Taylor was the highlight of the Bede’s innings with an excellent knock of 73 from 51 balls (9×4, 1×6), which contributed to a perfect opening stand of 110 with Ryana Macdonald-Gay – who scored 47 from 39 balls (4×4, 1×6). Harriet Shuker again being the pick of the Shrewsbury bowlers, conceding just 17 runs from her 20 deliveries and eventually picking up the wicket of Mary Taylor.
In response Shrewsbury looked to have taken a healthy start early on, with opening bat Chloe Thomas scoring 21 from just 11 balls before falling to an excellent yorker by Ryana Macdonald-Gay. Georgia Norman then took up the responsibility of the chase – scoring a composed 40 from 42 balls.
Unfortunately, Norman never really found some support as wickets kept falling in quick succession the other end – forcing her to take on a more aggressive approach and eventually being bowled. Shrewsbury limped to a total of 108 for the loss of 8 wickets in their 100 deliveries with Millie Taylor taking 3 for 17 in her 20 balls.
Bede’s got their revenge from the previous year and were crowned U18 100 Ball Champions for the first time. For her outstanding knock of 73 and taking 2 for 20 in her 20 deliveries – Mary Taylor was rightfully named player of the final.
Once again, a great day’s cricket with some seriously talented cricketers on show, we hope that next year’s competition will give another opportunity for these girls to showcase their abilities.
