Tarka Ladies fight for Top Spot

 NDCC Tarka Ladies continue to battle to stay near the top of the Devon Ladies League. Their last two matches have been hard fought. Last week against Plympton Ladies, despite 24 solid runs from opener Eluned Davies,  the run rate was very slow for the first 15 overs and it looked as though Tarka, who had won the toss and elected to bat would not be setting a huge target for the lively Plympton team. Youngster Bea Watts who shows great potential, and s Emily Edgcombe took 2 wickets a piece as the pick of the Plympton bowlers. The arrival at the crease of Alli Kelly 112 NO saved the Tarka innings. After tea, it was with steely determination the Tarka spirit rose and, despite some spirited shots from Steph Hutchins and Immy Beasley, the Tarka bowlers were relentless. Alli Kelly, Lydia Clements and Ellie Holland taking 2 wickets each and captain, Lauren Bowden fittingly finished off the game 1 for 1 off 1. Tarka Ladies 186-7 (35 overs) (A Kelly 112 not out), Plympton Ladies 71.

This week’s game was against Plymouth Ladies. Plymouth being the only team to have defeated NDCC Tarka this season when they travelled away and played a great match but with a very young side. For the return match, Tarka were without the very influential Alli Kelly and it was time for the other players to step up. Several players raced back from Newquay to play and then headed off again after the match! Having elected to bowl, and despite a fantastic Ellie Holland in-swinging ball catching out the talented Clare Varcoe for 0, Tarka were rather flat in the field and bowled far too many wides, leaving themselves quite a task. Solid contributions with the bat from, Jenna Luiten 36, Cathy Griffin 14, Stacey Maskelyne 18,  Gill Northey 14 NO, Teuron Burke 17 and far too many extras meant that Tarka had to show the tremendous progress they have made with the bat this season under the coaching of Mark Overton.

Tight straight bowling from Teuron Burke, Clare Varcoe and Cathy Griffin as well as a caught and bowled for Stacey Maskelyne meant the Tarka girls had to work hard- and they did. It was a terrific team effort. Openers Eluned Davies and Kate Williams put on a solid 44 partnership. Lydia Clements smashed a tremendous 31 and Carmen Clements 28 NO with Ellie Holland 22 NO steered their team home to victory.

NDCC Tarka now play Topsham away in their final game of the season next week.

Pic L-R back – Ellie Holland, Kate Williams, Jan Witheridge, Carmen Clements, Rose Ball, Ana Clements. Front L-R Eluned Davies, Alli Kelly, Lauren  Bowden, Lydia Clements, Molly Down.