U11 Girls A vs Martinstown (cup semi final)

Dorset Junior Club Competitions — DCB U11 Girls Cup, Semi-Final (Pairs) | Martinstown Cricket Club | Sunday 19 July 2026

Verwood CC Girls Under 11 A beat Martinstown CC Girls Under 11

Verwood's Under-11 girls produced a wonderful all-round performance to win their cup semi-final at Martinstown on Sunday morning and book their place at Finals Day. Put in to bat after Martinstown won the toss and chose to field, Verwood posted an imposing 160 for 2 — a net score of 390 under pairs rules — before bowling and fielding with real discipline to restrict the hosts to 66 for 6 (net 276) and run out comfortable winners.

A commanding batting display

In this pairs format, where three pairs each bat for four overs, Verwood made a flying start and never looked back. Openers Isobel Jackson and Beth Williams got the innings off to a lively beginning, Jackson racing to a fearless 33 from just 14 balls.

There were useful runs through the order — Sophie Richmond striking a brisk 17 from 9 balls and Emily Clark chipping in with 10 — but the afternoon belonged to captain Amelie McEwan. Leading from the front, McEwan produced a magnificent 62 from 20 deliveries to power Verwood towards their big total, with Freya Lear giving good support at the other end. Losing only two wickets across their 12 overs, Verwood set the hosts a stiff target.

Disciplined in the field

If the batting caught the eye, the bowling and fielding were every bit as good. Verwood squeezed the run flow from the very first over and never allowed Martinstown to settle.

Isobel Jackson followed her batting heroics with the pick of the figures, conceding just two runs from her two overs — one of them a maiden — and taking a wicket into the bargain. Freya Lear was every bit as miserly, returning 1 for 6 from three overs with two maidens, while Sophie Richmond and Beth Williams each claimed a wicket as the spoils were shared around nicely.

For Martinstown, Isabelle Pengelly batted well for a top score of 32, but with wickets falling regularly at the other end the hosts were unable to keep up with the rate, closing on 66 for 6.

On to Finals Day

The win sends the Verwood girls through to Finals Day next Sunday, 26 July, where they will join the club's U11 Mixed team at Canford School — a special occasion for Verwood junior cricket, with both teams in action on the same day:

• U11 Girls Final — 10:00am
• U11 Mixed Final — 5:00pm
• Venue: Canford School

Both teams would love a good crowd behind them, so please come along and cheer the boys and girls on if you can. All support most welcome!

At a glance

Verwood CC Girls U11 A — 160 for 2 (12 overs), net score 390 A McEwan 62, I Jackson 33, S Richmond 17

Martinstown CC Girls U11 — 66 for 6 (12 overs), net score 276 I Pengelly 32 I Jackson 1-2, F Lear 1-6, B Williams 1-9, S Richmond 1-22

Result: Verwood CC Girls Under 11 A won.