While the Hens are new to women’s softball cricket this season, Liphook’s ladies joined the I’Anson Women’s Softball League in 2022.
The match was a 24 overs-per-side 11-a-side contest, and all players batted and bowled.
Hens captain Nikki Shrives won the toss and elected to field first.
Georgina Dean, Rachel Morton, Carol Spencely and Sonia Cartright all batted impressively for Liphook, who scored 116 for six off their 24 overs.
Steffi Brandenburg, Josie Tidbury, Louisa Mills, Katie Greaves and Becca Maasz all took wickets for the Hens.
Jo Huckles, the Headley wicketkeeper, went throughout the whole innings without conceding a bye.
The Hens started well with the bat. Anna Harrison and Tidbury plundered 20 runs off the first four overs, before the Liphook bowling pegged the run rate back.
Some tight middle overs and inspired fielding meant six wickets had fallen at the halfway point of the innings.
Headley had held their big hitting back for the final act, however. Tracie Mansell, Shrives and the returning Tidbury upped the rate, and the match was in the balance heading into the final ball.
A wicket would win the game for Liphook, but anything else would secure Headley a debut win.
Tidbury held her nerve and drove the last ball to the long-off boundary, leaving the visitors on 123 for six at the end of their 24 overs.
The players, and many spectators, enjoyed the hospitality of the home team after the match with bottles of bubbles popped as the teams walked off the field to applause. A return fixture is arranged for Friday, September 1.
Anyone who is interested in joining Headley Cricket Club should email [email protected] for further details.