Northern Lights got their Womens Premier League season off to a flying start in their debut game against Grange CC Women also debuting in the WPL at the Grange scoring a record 334/3.

The team comprised players from clubs across the north with several making their Womens Premier League debut.

Megan McColl (Arbroath United CC)
Becky Glenn (Unaffiliated)
Emma Halliwell (Falkland CC) Debut
Kirtsy McColl (Forfarshire CC)
Zoe Bailey (Forfarshire CC) Debut
Abbie Hogg (Arbroath United CC)
Morven Pride (Aberdeen University) Debut
Abi Scott (Huntly CC) Debut
Deethya Balamurali (Aberdeenshire CC) Debut

Grange won the toss and asked Northern Lights to bat on a beautiful batting track openers Becky Glenn and Megan McColl getting off to a steady start they quickly accelerated matching each other stroke for stroke with Megan going to 50 and bring up the Northern Lights 100 in the 10th over.

With an array of excellent shots Becky raced to a maiden WPL 100 in 48 balls (18 fours) to bring up the Northern Lights 200 in the 18th over before retiring this brought Emma Halliwell to the crease. Emma was able to settle whilst Megan moved steadily to her maiden WPL 100 in 65 balls (16 fours).

Kirsty McColl replacing her sister was bowled early by Niamh Robertson Jack the Grange opening bowler, Zoe Bailey joined Emma and the pair moved the score along with Emma going to a well compiled 65* closing the Northern Lights innings on 334/3 a WPL record.

With Abbie Hogg opening the bowling with her left arm spin in partnership with Caitlin-Rose Neil right arm seam it was an uphill task for the inexperienced Grange side, they got off to the worse possible start with Abbie picking up a wicket in the first over then a run out leaving Grange at 2/2 in the 3rd over.

Niamh Robertson Jack took control of the innings scoring 34 before being caught in the deep by Abi Scott off the bowling of Zoe Bailey who bowled a steady line and kept the pressure on the batters finishing with a well-deserved 3-14 from 5 overs restricting the Grange innings to 58 and a resounding victory for Northern Lights.

A day studded with individual highlights demonstrated the best aspects of Womens cricket with the game played in the right way, each side giving their all and enjoying themselves which was evident in the post-match chats and photographs.

We now look forward to welcoming the Watsonians CC Women’s team to Mannofield this Sunday 29th May for the first Womens Premier League fixture in Aberdeen, come down and support the Northern Lights 13:00 start.

A big thank you goes out to Cala Homes for their support of Northern Lights and helping promote Women and Girls cricket in the North.