Matilda Prince continues in regal form as Bishop’s Stortford women suffer mixed fortunes in 100-ball matches against Hutton

It was a mixed weekend for Bishop’s Stortford women and girls, writes Joe Clune.

The women’s first team had a thumping win over Hutton in the first of their two 100-ball matches, with Stortford restricting their opponents to just 90-5. Liv Rolls took 3-13 and there were stunning catches by Poppy O’Toole and Maddy Arthur.

Matilda Prince maintained her form with the bat, scoring 33 not out. She was supported by Elizabeth Clune (23) as they chased down the victory total in 62 balls.

In the second match, Hutton’s Erica Hobson put Stortford under more pressure with a quickfire 56. O’Toole took 2-17.

In the run chase, Prince scored 27 and Zoe Bovaird bludgeoned 46 with three sixes and two fours. But when they both fell the run chase faltered and Stortford fell short by four runs.

Despite this defeat they remain in the running to win the 100-ball competition but will need to master the chase more effectively if they are to prevail.

The U15s enjoyed a 31-run win over Harpenden, with Mattie Hughes scoring 51 not out as they amassed 127-5. The visitors were then bowled out for 96, with the wickets being spread among Lia Fisk (5-3), Hughes (2-8) and Grace Gladen (2-11).

The U13s maintained their drive to the top of the table by beating their Harpenden counterparts by 13 runs. Stortford were all out for 138, thanks in part to 32 not out from Vaibhavi Dudeja and 29 from Betsy Gibson. In reply, Harpenden finished on 125-8 in their 20 overs thanks to good economic bowling from the whole team, including Libby Hughes (3-37) and Libby Hodges (2-6).

On Friday, the U13s easily beat St Margaretsbury, bowling them out for 52, with Millie Cass taking 3-2, and chasing down the victory total in seven overs without loss. Dudeja and Sophia Vasey were not out on 26 and 16 respectively.

Finally, on Sunday, the U11 girls lost to Saffron Walden by 45 runs.