Playing in their first games of the season, in what has now become the curtain raiser for the league programme, the ladies played teams from Wylam, Stocksfield and Greenside.

The Ashington squad was Charlotte Parsons, Steph Mallory, Kasey Jobling, Betty Wright, Katherine Storey, Kristie Fenwick and Faye Kankowski.

In their first game, against a vastly more experienced Wylam, Ashington blew away the opposition, batting for a paltry 24.

Betty Wright - 1-2, Kristie Fenwick - 1-10, Faye Kankowski - 3-6, Katherine Storey - 1-5 and Kasey Jobling - 1-1 all contributed.

In reply, Ashington reached their target without loss in quick time with Steph Mallory 18 not out and Faye Kanlowski 6 not out.

Ashington then played Stocksfield who made a solid 54-4.

Betty Wright - 1-15, Kristie Fenwick - 2-15 and Faye Kankowski - 1-10 were the successful bowlers.

In reply, Ashington could only muster 31 all out with Kristie Fenwick top scoring on 10 not out.

In their final group game Ashington restricted Greenside to 59-4.

Betty Wright - 1-23 and Kristie Fenwick - 3-14 took the wickets.

In reply, the Ashington openers, Faye Kankowski, 27, and Steph Mallory, 8, both ended up unbeaten as they knocked off the runs without loss.

In the final analysis, Ashington were marginally short of points and narrowly missed qualifying from these group games for the final.

That honour went to Wylam.