JUBILEE Fields, the home of Alton Cricket Club, was the venue for Hampshire Under-13 girls’ season-defining fixture against Wales.

With rain forecast the Hampshire captain Frankie Robertson decided to field first. Hampshire took regular wickets but could not remove the excellent Sophie Thomas who carried her bat for a tremendous 83 not out. Emily Parekh was the star of the Hampshire bowling, taking five wickets for 18 runs.

Wales scored 180/9 off their 35 overs. After a rain delay Hampshire started their response in an attacking style, Abi Green hitting the only 6 of the game on her way to a quick-fire 14.

Unfortunately the scoreboard pressure proved too much for Hampshire and no one else reached double figures until the game was effectively lost.

But Ashneet Singh and Lucy Councel (St Cross CC) then compiled an incredible 83 run unbroken last-wicket partnership that almost pulled Hampshire back into the game. 180 did though ultimately prove too much of a target and the Hampshire girls ran out of overs at 152/9.

The Hampshire U13 team comprises Year 7 and 8 girls from around the county, three of whom; Abi Green, Gemma Porter and Amelia Marshall all play for Alton CC.

Through the season there have been some “fantastic performances”, most notably Lucia Kendall (St Cross) scoring two centuries (versus Devon and Gloucestershire) and Jess Pritchard (Lymington) and Emily Parekh taking 12 wickets each.