Stingers Soft Ball v Emmbrook & Bearwood Womens Softball

Stingers Secure Comfortable Victory Over Emmbrook & Bearwood in Indoor Softball League

Sonning Stingers Soft Ball claimed a convincing 32-run victory over Emmbrook & Bearwood in the Berkshire Women's Softball Indoor 2021 league on 17th October, with Melissa Pengraeve's impressive knock of 25 off just 13 balls proving the cornerstone of a dominant batting display.

Emmbrook & Bearwood batted first but found run-scoring difficult against a disciplined Stingers bowling attack. Captain Anna Smy managed just 3 from 13 deliveries as Sonning's bowlers kept a tight lid on proceedings from the outset. Hollie Culham offered some resistance with 10 runs from 11 balls, but wickets fell at regular intervals to keep the opposition in check. Maxine Fishlock provided the most significant contribution for Emmbrook & Bearwood, striking 16 from only 9 balls late in the innings, though it was ultimately not enough to set a challenging total.

Elinor Longridge was the pick of the Stingers' opening bowlers, conceding just 6 runs from her two overs without a wide or no-ball — a notably economical spell in the softball format. Sudaf Waheed chipped in with a wicket for 8 runs, while Rachel McCabe and Melissa Pengraeve each claimed two wickets apiece to ensure Emmbrook & Bearwood were restricted to 63 for 5 from their 12 overs. The 24 extras conceded by Sonning, including 16 wides, offered some free runs, but the five wickets taken — each carrying a five-run deduction in this pairs format — proved decisive in keeping the total manageable.

In reply, the Stingers set about the chase with intent. Muryam Khalid opened confidently, scoring 15 from 12 balls to give the innings early momentum. Elinor Longridge continued her fine all-round day with 13 from 12 balls at the top of the order, ensuring the Stingers were well placed heading into the middle overs.

Pengraeve then took centre stage with the top score of the match. Her 25 off 13 deliveries was a fluent display of striking that put the result beyond doubt. Sudaf Waheed added a useful 8 from 11 balls, while Rachel McCabe contributed 5 from 8 as the Stingers' batting depth ensured a steady stream of runs throughout the innings.

Emmbrook & Bearwood's bowling struggled with consistency, leaking 22 wides across their 12 overs. Anna Smy conceded 21 runs including 10 wides from her two-over spell, while Aparna Jain proved the most expensive bowler with figures of 2-0-25-0 including 6 wides. Maxine Fishlock was the standout performer with the ball for the visitors, claiming 2 for 10 from her two overs, and Hollie Culham added a wicket of her own. However, three wickets for the loss of 95 runs was never going to be enough to deny the Stingers.

Captain Sharon Fleming's side collected four league points from a well-rounded team performance that saw contributions across the board with both bat and ball, leaving the Stingers in good standing in the Berkshire Women's Softball Indoor competition.