Stingers Soft Ball v Crowthorne & Crown Wood Womens Softball

Stingers Secure Division 1 Victory with Disciplined All-Round Display at Crowthorne

Sonning Stingers Soft Ball earned a well-deserved six-run victory over Crowthorne & Crown Wood in their WSB Division 1 league fixture on 27th June, posting 101 for 2 before restricting the hosts to 95 for 5 in a match where the Stingers maintained control throughout.

After Crowthorne won the toss and inserted Sonning, the visitors made a positive start through opener Frances Howson, who struck a fluent 17 from just 11 balls, finding the boundary three times in a brisk innings at the top of the order. Captain Grace Phillips provided solid support at number two, contributing 11 from 13 deliveries including a four, as the pair gave the Stingers the platform they needed.

Rita Green matched Howson's tally of 17 runs from 13 balls, also striking three fours in an attacking display from the number three position. Green remained unbeaten and was one of six Sonning batters to avoid dismissal, highlighting the team's ability to preserve wickets throughout the innings. Further contributions came from Siobhan Davis (8 from 15 balls) and Sophie Parker (7 from 12), while extras proved generous with 31 added to the total, including 19 wides from the Crowthorne bowling attack. Lou Walker was the only bowler to claim a wicket for the hosts, finishing with tidy figures of 1 for 8 from her two overs.

Defending 101, the Stingers needed early breakthroughs and the bowling unit duly delivered. Rita Green continued her impressive match by picking up 1 for 7 from her two overs — the most economical spell of the innings. Captain Grace Phillips also struck with the ball, claiming 1 for 9, while Rebecca Malhi chipped in with 1 for 15 to ensure Crowthorne were always under pressure.

Crowthorne's batting effort was spread across the order but lacked the impetus to overhaul the target. Captain Marsha Connolly top-scored with 11 from 14 balls, while Helena Jones added 10 from 11 and Nicola Meades made 9 from 15 at the top. However, with five wickets falling — including Connolly dismissed twice — the hosts were unable to build sufficient momentum despite accumulating 33 extras of their own.

Sophie Parker (2-0-9-0) and Siobhan Davis (2-0-9-0) were both tidy with the ball for Sonning, keeping things tight at crucial stages. The bowling effort was a collective one, with all eight players turning their arms over in a true team performance that typified the Stingers' approach.

The result sees the Stingers collect a full 10 league points, with Crowthorne taking nothing from the encounter. It was a match defined by Sonning's superior batting discipline, losing only two wickets to Crowthorne's five, and by the all-round contributions of Green and Phillips, who both made telling impacts with bat and ball.