It was a glorious Sunday in Outwood, and the scene was set for a cricketing classic. The Blazes began their innings like someone had cursed the top order — two wickets down in the first over (including a golden duck) and four down for just 11 runs after four overs. Less "blazing start," more "oh no, not again".
Then in strolled Maz (Marianna Graham) and Sarah Oken — not swinging for the hills, but playing it cool. With the calm of seasoned firefighters, they began extinguishing the early flames. Their 49-run partnership was exactly what the innings needed, with Sarah’s composed 10 laying the groundwork before she was trapped LBW by Chloe Stevens (who was clearly on a personal mission to ruin everyone’s Sunday with a tidy five-fer). Liz came and went quickly, and things were looking a bit shaky once more.
Enter Rachel Walters. Alongside Maz — who was now deep in “captain’s knock” mode — the pair began to rebuild. Maz, seeing the short boundary and a juicy delivery, promptly launched one deep into the surrounding Outwood greenery, never to be seen again. Goodbye match ball. Hello domination. She finished with a majestic 74 not out off 66 balls (15 boundaries, some possibly requiring a wildlife rescue). Rachel kept things ticking with a very handy 20 not out, and somehow, from 11/4, the Blazes posted a very defendable 141/7 in their 25 overs.
Leatherhead’s Turn – Chaos, Confidence, and a Touch of Time Travel
After tea (and a collective exhale), the Blazes took to the field like a team reborn. Caroline Bradby struck in the second ball of the innings — early pressure applied. And then came the déjà vu moment: Rachel Walters, armed with wizardry and a familiar sense of theatre, took two wickets in two balls. Yes, again. Same bowler, same chaos, different stunned opposition. We’re starting to think she’s bending space-time.
Leatherhead’s lineup fell apart like a badly packed picnic. Rachel took another to end with ferocious figures of 3 for 5 in 3 overs. Not to be outdone, U13 rising star Flo (Florence King) sauntered in and promptly claimed two wickets in a single over, including the always-dangerous Chloe Stevens. Maz chipped in with one too — can’t let everyone else have all the fun.
Just as Outwood began setting out the metaphorical victory bunting, Leatherhead’s final pair dug in. Morag Spencer and Anupama Ginimav launched a stubborn 57-run partnership, giving Outwood a few jitters and more than one “hang on a minute…” glance.
But up stepped Liz Peacock, swooping in like a hawk and delivering the final blow — job done, nerves calmed, win secured.
Final Score:
Outwood Blazes – 141/7
Leatherhead – 76 all out
Result: Outwood Blazes won by 65 runs
Summary:
This was a game that had it all — an early batting collapse, a captain’s rescue act, bowling brilliance, and the signature Blazes bounce-back energy. Maz’s knock was the spine, Rachel’s wickets were the drama, and young Flo added the sparkle. It was chaos, composure, and cricketing joy, all rolled into one sunny Sunday in Outwood.
As for the match ball? Still missing. Last seen nestled comfortably somewhere in the woods!