Creditwest Ladies Cricket league is like the English premiership said excited manager Lynn Holman following the TRNC’s second win last Sunday 24th April. With one round to go in the All Cyprus competition any one of three teams can still be crowned champions.
The Alsancak Stadium played host to the TRNC’s home tournament with the first game played being between the North and the South Cyprus Cricket Association’s Mouflons team. Captain Hale Silifkeli had predicted it would be tough as the visitors sought revenge for their defeat the last time they met.
Wanting to set a target, the South won the toss and batted first accumulating 119 runs in their 6 overs of pairs cricket, losing just one wicket when Lynn Holman caught Husna behind off Kelsey Ace’s loopy bowling. In reply, the TRNC’s first 2 pairs batted steadily with Amy Hurn, Kelsey Ace, Hale Silifkeli and Linda Hurley only losing 5 runs for being out once. However, they didn’t make a big enough dent in the required total which left the last pair of Tina Binks and Lynn Holman needing an unlikely 18 to win from 12 balls. Knowing all out attack was the only option, Holman immediately smashed two 4’s, then was bowled the next ball. Their fight continued but further wickets fell and the North was dismissed for 105.
The second game saw the TRNC ladies take on the very experienced Sri Lankan ladies from South Nicosia. The Sub-Continent team had been unbeaten this season and the North had never got close to winning in any encounter. The visitors again won the toss and batted first, however things didn’t go to plan as first Silifkeli then Binks, Hurn, Hurley and Ace’s accurate bowling ripped into them, taking 5 wickets reducing their total to a disastrous 95. Sensing an upset, the North went into bat with coach Nigel Holman’s instructions to defend, defend, defend ringing in their ears. With pairs cricket, teams start on 100 runs and lose 5 runs every time someone is out. Holman said, because the girls listen to their coaching they have massively improved this season and added to their gritty determination they blocked their way to 103 and an outstanding victory.
The final game was between the 2 South Cyprus sides, with the locals wanting the Sri Lankans to win so each team would have won one game and the league points would be evenly shared. The Mouflons batted, but totally fell apart finishing on only 94 runs, which their opponents never looked in danger of losing , completing their innings on a massive 154.
After 2 rounds the Sri Lankans have 9 league points, TRNC 6 and Mouflons 3. The final round is on 22nd May.
TRNC Ladies Cricket is always keen to have more members, Lynn Holman says ladies’ cricket is great for fitness and it doesn’t matter if someone has never played before, as none of the team had when they first started. Tel: 0542 8893680.
TRNC LADIES Cricket team
Hale Silifkeli, Kelsey Ace, Lynn Holman, Amy Hurn, Linda Hurley, Tina Binks
