http://www.soldiermagazine.co.uk AUGUST 2019 79SOCIAL SCENE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE NEWS FROM THE
WOMEN’S GAME BY FOLLOWING @LADIESCRICKET ON TWITTER CRICKETA
COMPREHENSIVE
defeat of the Royal
Air Force laid the
foundations for a successful
title defence by the Army
women in cricket’s Inter-
Services 40-over competition.
The Reds romped to an
eight-wicket victory in their
opening clash and then
repeated the trick against the
Royal Navy, when a seven-
wicket triumph in Portsmouth
saw them lift the trophy for a
second successive season.
After winning the toss and
electing to bowl, the soldiers
stamped their authority
on the competition with a
ruthless display against an
RAF side that was thrashed
by the Senior Service in the
tournament’s fi rst fi xture.
Two wickets from star
performer Sgt Amanda
Potgieter (REME) helped
reduce their rivals to 33-4 in
the early stages and when
they slipped to a lowly 48-5
in the 17th over their hopes
of posting a challenging total
were all but over.
However, a dogged sixth-wicket stand of 29 – anchored
by top scorer Sqn Ldr Lisa
Kelly-Tonge – halted the Army’s
progress and, while the stroke
play was far from fl uent, their
eff orts saw the innings extend
beyond the 30-over mark.
But Maj Mel Vaggers (AGC
(SPS)) returned to the attack
to break the partnership and
LCpl Gabie Clark (Int Corps)
claimed two quick scalps to
reduce the score to 98-8.
Potgieter then bowled Kelly-
Tonge for 40 and with the fi nal
wicket falling soon after the
RAF were all out for 102.
In reply, the Army made
swift work of the run chase- despite suff ering the early
dismissal of skipper SSgt
Kirsty Gavillet (RLC).
Opener Vaggers led the
charge with a rapid-fi re 44
that included fi ve fours and a
six, while Potgieter (pictured
above) was at her fl uent best
as she fi nished 30 not out.
Cpl Olivia Cadec-Trimmer
(AGC (SPS)) had the honour of
hitting the winning runs as the
Reds reached their target in the
11th over. ■
BOWLERS SET THE TONE IN TITLE WIN
INTER-SERVICES
WOMEN’S
CRICKET
RAF
102
ARMY
105-2105-2
GAME BRIEF
COMPETITION:Inter-
Services 40-Over Women’s
Cricket
VENUE:United Services
Recreation Ground, Portsmouth
RAF 102:Kelly-Tonge 40,
Potgieter 3-7, Gavillet 2-15
ARMY 105-2:Vaggers 44,
Potgieter 30 not outCONDITIONS played a part in
the Army’s opening day win and
skipper SSgt Kirsty Gavillet (RLC)
told SoldierSport the decision to
bowl fi rst was pivotal.
“It was a good toss to win,”
she explained. “It was a seamers’
wicket and there was no turn for
the spinners – the plan was to use
that to our advantage and take
early wickets.
“With such a low score to
chase we could attack it in
Twenty20 mode.”
Gavillet also said the squad
benefi ted from the preparations
made earlier in the season –
which included a tour to Japan
and a corps sixes tournament.
She added: “Having an Inter-
Corps competition was really
helpful and we picked up three
players who have bedded well
into the team.
“Japan was a really worthwhile
trip. They are not big hitters but
are quick between the wickets
and that proved to be a real test
for our fi elders.”78-79-sol-aug.indd 2 25/07/2019 14:25