Stingers Soft Ball v Emmbrook & Bearwood Women's Softball B

Stingers Cruise to Comfortable Cup Victory Over Emmbrook & Bearwood

Sonning Stingers Soft Ball secured a convincing 52-run victory over Emmbrook & Bearwood in the WSB Cup at King George's Field on 7th May 2024, with a dominant all-round display that saw them control proceedings from first ball to last.

Emmbrook & Bearwood captain Lucy Prismall won the toss and chose to field, but the decision backfired as the Stingers compiled a formidable total of 125 for 1 from their 16 overs. While no single batter posted a huge individual score, contributions came from across the order, with Rita Green leading the way in emphatic fashion at number eight. Green struck a fluent 17 from just 11 balls, including two boundaries, providing crucial late impetus to the innings.

At the top of the order, Siobhan Davis set the tone with 8 off 14 balls, including a four, while Frances Howson added a steady 9 from 16 deliveries at number three. Chloe Bailey chipped in with 7 from 10 balls, and Sophie Parker matched that contribution with 7 off 13, striking a boundary of her own. The only wicket to fall was that of Katie Barrows, dismissed off the bowling of Prismall, who was comfortably the pick of the Emmbrook attack with figures of 3-0-9-1.

A significant factor in the Stingers' total was the 75 extras conceded by the visitors, including 46 no-balls and 26 wides. Aparna Jain was the most expensive bowler, conceding 24 runs from her two overs with 12 no-balls, while Hannah Mac Indoe's two overs cost 21 runs and included 14 no-balls. The lack of discipline with the ball ultimately proved decisive.

In reply, Emmbrook & Bearwood were always behind the required rate and could only muster 73 for 2 from their 16 overs. The Stingers' bowling attack was far more disciplined than their opponents', with captain Grace Phillips and Rita Green particularly impressive. Green continued her outstanding match with figures of 3-1-3-1, while Phillips bowled with excellent control, returning 2-1-4-0. Frances Howson also claimed a wicket in her two overs, conceding just five runs.

Prismall was the standout performer with the bat for the visitors, top-scoring with a fighting 15 off 13 balls that included two fours. Laura May added 6 with one boundary, but the rest of the Emmbrook batting line-up struggled to find any momentum against the tight Stingers bowling. Jenny Partridge and Hannah Mac Indoe managed just 2 apiece from 15 balls each, while Deepa Ravi and Aparna Jain could only contribute 5 runs each.

Rita Green's outstanding double of 17 with the bat and 3-1-3-1 with the ball made her the clear star of the match, but this was a fine collective effort from the Stingers, who progress in the Cup with a performance that demonstrated quality in all departments.