On a pitch greener than a frog’s dinner jacket but with an outfield drier than the Sahara desert, Outwood CC Women’s 1st XI wrapped up their 2025 campaign in style against Walton on Thames CC. The sun was out, the ground was faster than an F1 circuit, and with only 9 fielders patrolling the wilderness, Outwood produced a wonderful fielding performance.

Walton batted first, but the story of their innings was all about our bowlers. Youngster Amelia “The Assassin” Drysdale grabbed the key wicket of Walton’s best batter for just 20 – one of her lowest scores this season – proving that youth and skill go hand in hand when you deliver a peach of a ball. Rachel, never one to be left out, helped herself to two wickets, including a simple caught and bowled so easy it looked like she was catching a set of car keys, not a cricket ball.

Then there was Ness. Ness didn’t want to bowl. Ness REALLY didn’t want to bowl. But when persuaded, she served up a slow, straight delivery that had the batter charging down the pitch like an eager rhino… only to swing, miss, and hear the death rattle behind them. Outwood’s fielders went wild. Walton ended their innings with 197/6 looking over their shoulders nervously.

The Batting Blitz

Chasing 198 on a pitch behaving like it had three personalities, Rachel and Ness opened the innings with class and confidence. Rachel stroked three boundaries on her way to 20 from 26 before the dreaded LBW finger went up, while Ness stuck around to support Maz, scoring 16 before being bowled.

And then came Maz. Oh, Maz. Another 60 not out, including 12 fours, losing the ball in the bushes three times and nearly decapitating the umpire with the most perfectly timed straight drive of the season. It was like watching poetry in motion… very loud, very fast poetry.

Bernie carried on her golden run with the bat, adding 26 not out to her tally after a heroic day behind the stumps. At one point she took a full-blooded hit to the chest, brushed it off, and carried on like nothing happened. That’s commitment… or possibly mild insanity. Either way, Outwood ended on 154/5, falling just short but with heads held high.

Season Wrap-Up – What a Year!

Despite this final result, 2025 has been one of the most successful seasons ever for Outwood CC Women. The Blazes finished 5th overall in SWCL Division 3, boasting both the league’s best batter and best bowler:

Rachel – Top bowler with 22 wickets (6 ahead of anyone else!), best figures of 4/23, and an economy rate of just 3.54.

Maz – Top batter with 472 runs from 10 innings, 7 not outs, a top score of 74*, and a strike rate of 123.24.

The future? Oh, it’s glowing brighter than a new pink cricket ball under floodlights. With three youngsters now permanent fixtures in the side and improvement across the board, 2026 promises even bigger things for Outwood Women’s cricket.

Want to Join the Fun?

If you fancy smashing a few sixes, taking a blinder in the field, or just enjoying the best teas in Surrey (keep an eye out for our book release), drop us an email: outwoodladiescricket@gmail.com.

Bring on 2026 – the Blazes are just getting started!