Savouring the spoils: The newly-crowned league champions

Published: 15 August, 2013
by STEVE BARNETT

HAMPSTEAD have been crowned champions of the North London Women’s League with a game in hand following a confident victory away at arch rivals Wanstead on Sunday.

Opting to bowl, the visitors got off to the perfect start when Jess Black claimed a wicket within three overs thanks to a superb catch at gully by Sian Culley.

Spinner Culley brought a much needed lbw, but with Wanstead reaching 75-2 at the half-way point the game was still in the balance.

Hampstead skipper Lucy Horitz brought Angela Bonura into the mix, and she quickly collected three wickets.
Emma Edwards also picked up two wickets as Wanstead were all out for 114 in just 23 overs.

In reply Horitz and Culley rotated the strike well and quickly notched up 36 in eight overs. Horitz made 21 before being caught at mid-wicket.

That saw the arrival of Bonura for her batting debut. She spectacularly sent the first two deliveries for four, igniting an innings that saw her score 55 not out off 35 balls. With Culley finishing on 23 not out Hampstead wrapped up the win within 18 overs.

Delighted skipper Horitz said: “We’ve finished runners-up to Wanstead the last two seasons, so it was fitting that defeating them brought us league triumph.

“This was a wonderful group effort with everyone contributing to the win with tight fielding, challenging bowling and positive batting.”