Ribblesdale Cricket League
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Jessica makes Ribblesdale League history
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| Jessica Scothern played a first team game for Barnoldswick CC on Saturday. |
A young cricketer from Barnoldswick Cricket Club made history on Saturday when she became the first woman to play first team cricket in the Ribblesdale League.
But there was no happy ending for 17-year-old Jessica Scothern because her team suffered a nine-wicket defeat at Read.
Jessica has cricketing blood running through her veins so when she stepped up to the crease against Read's bowling attack her ability and technique came to the fore.
The name Scothern and Barnoldswick go hand in hand as Jessica's father and uncles, David, Michael and Ian, have played in the first team for years and her grandad Trevor was a long-time Barlick cricketer.
"We're a bit of a cricketing family," said uncle Mike, who added that Jessica's performance on Saturday did her no harm.
Jessica stepped up to bat at No 10, and grafted away against the Read bowlers, facing 30 balls and scoring one run on a very poor wicket.
Michael said: "She certainly has the potential to go on and get runs as she gets more experience under her belt."
Her father David said: "She did pretty well. She would have wanted to get a better score but it wasn't a good wicket.
"At one point of Saturday we were had just eight runs and were five wickets down. She did very well in support and occupied the crease.
"She's got a lot of confidence in her ability and has a good technique.
"She hasn't got the strength at the moment, and so we thought that the quicker bowling in the Senior Division would allow her to score more freely."
David said that Jessica has gone through the juniors at Barlick, playing in the under-13s, under-15s, third team and the second team.
Although he said Jessica is now stronger at batting, it was her bowling technique that caught his eye when she was 12.
"Her bowling caught my eye at that age. She had a good action."
Although she has had a few matches where she has taken a couple of wickets, David said it has been her batting ability that has come on recently.
She has topped 40 runs twice this year, including a top score of 42 against Burnley Belvedere.
And he added she could only get better.
"As she becomes more disciplined, gains more experience and gets bigger the runs will come."
David said that Jessica could have played first team cricket earlier.
"It's not as if she couldn't have played earlier. She's definitely capable. I've probably been overprotective because I didn't want her to get hit. But at the end of the day, I thought she would do well against quicker bowling."
Jessica's form has earned her a call-up to not only the Lancashire under-18s, but also the senior Lancashire Ladies team.
On the three-game tour earlier this summer, Jessica scored six runs in the second game of the series and was due to play in the third game had it not been rained off.
David said: "They still haven't seen the best of her. She will do well in future years."
In April 2008, Jessica and the Lancashire under-19s will be going on a tour of South Africa. The squad is due to play four or five matches over a ten-day period.
Members of the squad are looking for sponsors to cover the costs of the tour. Anyone interested in sponsoring Jessica should ring David on 07986 695782.
In their match against Read on Saturday, Barlick suffered a heavy defeat, losing by nine wickets.
Read's Frank Barden took five for 15 as only two Barlick players scored in double figures and they closed on 76 all out.
Hanif Rehman led the Read reply with 45 not out as they eased to a total of 78-1.
Settle won by five wickets at Blackburn Northern. Settle set a respectable target of 176-9, as Raj Amunugama top scored for the Marshfield side with a 64.
Naeem Asraf (57) helped Blackburn reach 178-5. Amunugama was the pick of the Settle bowlers, taking three for 47
Earby got a big win at the weekend when they cruised past Great Harwood with eight wickets to spare.
Great Harwood set Earby a target of 178-7, as Chris Walton was the top bowler for the Applegarth side, taking four for 59.
But the partnership of opener David Watson and Nigel Hodge led Earby to a total of 180-2. Watson top scored on 81 while Hodge made 70.
A double-header is in store for the Ribblesdale League this weekend.
Earby host Read on Saturday and travel to Ribblesdale Wanderers on Sunday.
Settle host Whalley on Saturday and go to Edenfield on Sunday.
Barlick are away to Padiham on Saturday before playing Clitheroe at Victory Park on Sunday.
3:05pm Thursday 6th September 2007
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