The final matches of the BSF Ladies’ Rounders season were played at Darcy Lever Cricket Club on Sunday and the sun shone for the finals of the Handicap Cups making it one of the best days of the season.

Butchers Arms and Wally’s Eleven started the H-O Handicap Cup final at 1pm and Wally’s had a 40-run start because they were two league sections below their opponents, but Butchers had a bigger handicap in that five of their regular team were on holiday and another was dashing to the airport after the first innings.

Wally’s batted first and although they had two caught out at the first attempt, they settled to a very steady innings scoring 115 runs, with only one rounder and their 40-run start.

Although all but one of the Butchers team survived the first round, they struggled for runs and even with one rounder, they were all out for 34.

The “follow-on” rule is not enforced in these matches because of the handicap and Wally’s batted again, adding 128 to their score. Lauren Kirby was top scorer with 36, including four rounders, whilst Bethany Hodgkiss also hit a rounder.

Despite having a mountain to climb, Butchers Arms made a determined effort and scored four rounders to give them a second innings 77, but Wally’s picked up their third trophy of the season, winning by 243-111.

The A-G Handicap Cup final was a scratch game between the Section A champions Rupert Ladies A and runners-up Darcy Lever C&SC A.

Rupert batted first and scored 109 runs with four batters in double figures, each scoring a rounder along the way. Lyn Carroll with two rounders top scored on 27, last batter Ann Truffas had 22, Kerry Anderton 19 and Jayne Trevett 15.

Darcy lost three of their first seven batters, one at first base, one caught and one out for obstruction. Although Emma Holt hit a rounder to become top scorer with 13, and last batter Catherine Crilly scored 12, Darcy were all out for 54 and chose to follow on.

Again losing three batters without score, Darcy looked to be heading for an innings defeat, but Sarah Gradwell (20), Sharon Buller (16), Catherine Crilly (12) and Lucy Chadwick (11) pushed Darcy to 80, forcing Rupert to bat again for 26 to win.

Fielding much better, Darcy dismissed their opponents for 36, but Rupert claimed the trophy by 145-134.