Downham Stow Ladies hardball team played host to the travelling Sprowston ladies on Friday evening.

After losing the toss and being put into bat on a sunny evening at Stow Hall, the home side were happy with their decision.

Chloe Lacey and Molly Pybus started strongly but Pybys was bowled by Olivia Crook and Chloe (10), was run out not long after by Rowshan Rahman at 24-2.

Molly Taylor and Charlotte Beck came to the crease and within a short time had powered on to 100-2.

Beck was bowled on 29 off 39 balls, eyeing up another boundary.

Captain Ellen Kerbey hit a quick five off six balls before the end of the 16-over innings with Molly T carrying her bat on 18 not out.

Downham Stow Ladies ended their 16 overs on 122 for 3.

The Sprowston ladies started tentatively, both Beck (3 overs for 7) and Pybus bowling tightly with strong fielding from the girls.

Freya Matthew’s was solid behind the stumps and Keeley Wymer’s three overs were only hit for 8 runs.

It was when Molly T came into the attack that the wickets started to fall removing both openers Olivia Crook (8) and Rachel Duke (11) leg-before-wicket.

Kerbey took the final wicket of captain Hannah Warren bowled on eight as Sprowston ended their 16 overs on 88/3 to dive Downham Stow by 34 runs.

Unfortunately, the Sunday game against Snettisham was conceded by the opposition so Downham Stow Ladies top Group A of the Shell UK Norfolk Women’s Outdoor Cricket League group A at the halfway stage.

The team is kindly sponsored by Hart Farms and the Downham Tandoori.