Girls up for play-off clash
DURHAM SQUAD BIDS FOR PLACE IN SECOND TIER
DURHAM Women play Oxfordshire on Monday in the ECB Women’s County Championship Division Three play-off for the chance to earn promotion to Division Two.
Durham qualified for the play-off after topping their group with five wins and just one loss earlier this season.
Winners of group C, Durham are expecting a close game with Oxfordshire, who share the same league record as themselves with just one defeat this season.
Durham wicketkeeper and opening batter Laura Hockaday said: “I think everything is coming together.
“People playing week in and week out will have a massive impact on the game and everyone has been working really hard on individual skills.
“There is a really good atmosphere within the group and I just think if we take that into the game on Monday and everything we have worked hand on in training we should do really well and win.”
The play-off takes place at Bicester and North Oxford Cricket Club (11.00) but Durham do not see Oxfordshire’s home advantage as a problem.
Team member Hayley Falla said: “We have always travelled well as a team and, because the team spirit is so good, being able to travel and stay together actually probably brings us closer and gives us the advantage.”
Durham dropped from Division Two in 2015 and have since had two chances to go back up. In 2016, they finished second, missing out on promotion by three points, and in 2017 again managed to reach the play-offs but lost to Northamptonshire.
Comparing last season to this year, team member Laura Ellison said: “Last year we had a big gap in the ages of players in the team.
“This year we have the right balance between young and experienced players so I think that is going to help.”
Hockaday added: “I think we have quite a young and enthusiastic side this year and that is showing through.
“We are looking really strong – all the girls have been performing well in their age groups and the seniors have been doing well in their club cricket and I think that will benefit us on Monday.”
Hockaday, who played in the Division Three play-off last season, reflected on what it means for the team to have made it to the promotion decider a second time in a row.
She said: “The feeling after we lost that playoff last year was just horrendous.
“It is like you have played the whole season and to lose in the play-off game was disappointing.
“Half the girls played last season and taking that into Monday it just makes you want the win that little bit more.”
Falla added: “We have taken two seasons out of that league (Division Two) and we are probably more prepared now to go back and compete with the stronger teams.”
FULL report and pictures from the play-off match in Grassroots Sport.
DURHAM Under-13 Girls put in a dominant display to win by eight wickets against Oxfordshire, writes SAM BLACKLOCK.
Durham were asked to field first after winning the toss, Oxford setting off positively with an opening stand of 72.
Jessica Weatherspoon (3-9). Lucy Butler (2-17) and Lucy Hughes (2-23) all struck for Durham as Oxford were dismissed for 147 in 34.1 overs.
Durham lost opener Caitlin Taylorson for nought - but 62 from 66 balls from Trudy Johnston and 53 from Mary Butler saw them home in 25.3 overs.