Stingers Soft Ball v Crowthorne & Crown Wood Womens Softball

Stingers Secure Comfortable Victory Over Crowthorne in Indoor Softball League

Sonning Stingers Soft Ball claimed a well-deserved win against Crowthorne & Crown Wood in the Women's Softball Indoor Division 1 on 19th January, chasing down their opponents' total of 53 with 15 runs to spare to finish on 68.

Captain Michaela Herrett won the toss and opted to field first, a decision that was quickly vindicated by an outstanding bowling display from her side. The Stingers' attack was disciplined throughout, restricting Crowthorne to just 21 runs off the bat, with the home side's total of 53 bolstered significantly by 32 extras.

Nic Blunden was the standout performer with the ball, returning remarkable figures of 3 wickets for just 4 runs from her two overs — a spell that effectively strangled the Crowthorne batting order. Herrett herself led from the front, claiming 3 wickets of her own, albeit at a costlier rate of 21 runs from three overs. Rita Green chipped in with 2 wickets from her three overs, while Elinor Longridge picked up a wicket from her two-over spell. Melissa Pengraeve was economical without taking a wicket, conceding just 10 runs from two overs.

Laura Gillespie's Crowthorne side struggled with the bat throughout their 12 overs, with several batters dismissed multiple times in the pairs format. Gillespie herself was out on three occasions, while Lorna Owens and Jenny Sheppard each fell twice, highlighting the pressure applied by the Stingers' bowling unit.

In reply, the Stingers were never truly troubled in their pursuit of 54. While individual batting scores were not recorded in detail, the away side accumulated their runs steadily across the 12 overs, aided by 48 extras — including 16 wides and 32 penalty runs — as the Crowthorne bowlers struggled to find their line and length. Sarah Wonham, Elinor Longridge, and Rita Green all remained unscathed, none being dismissed during the innings.

Sandra Barlow was the most economical of the Crowthorne bowlers, conceding just 7 runs from her two overs and taking a wicket, while Lorna Owens and Kate Pobjoy also claimed a dismissal apiece. However, the overall lack of control from the home bowling attack, which sent down 15 wides across the innings, made the Stingers' task considerably easier.

The victory saw the Stingers collect four league points to Crowthorne's one, strengthening their position in the Women's Softball Indoor Division 1 standings. Blunden's exceptional bowling figures of 3 for 4 were undoubtedly the performance of the match, her miserly spell proving the decisive contribution in what was ultimately a comprehensive away win for Sonning.