Friday 3 May saw 29 Prep 6 Girls embark on a whistle-stop, one day Rounders Tour. The day started out with the much-accustomed persistent drizzle of rain that has seemed to be a key feature of the Summer Term! However, the girls were in high spirits and eager for the bus to arrive.

The first stop on the tour was Bowdon Preparatory School, where all three teams played a full game and a half. There were mixed results for the teams, but this did not dampen spirits, and the girls' encouragement of one another was fantastic to see. After, there was time for a quick snack break before heading to Great Budworth to play at Cransley School.

Cransley School greeted us with a warm welcome and we sat in the garden to eat lunch together. After lunch we headed out to the playing fields to play as two larger teams against Cransley, who were fielding mixed teams. Initially, the Lady Barn girls seemed slightly intimidated by the Cransley boys’ vocal enthusiasm, but the girls soon found their stride and batting confidence, and we were thrilled with one well-earned win and a draw. Cransley kindly offered us drinks and biscuits and then it was time to get back on the bus and head off to the ice cream farm.

The weather, which had been fairly kind all morning, had now started to turn as we arrived at the Great Budworth ice cream farm, although you would never have noticed as the Lady Barn girls just got on with the task of selecting their favourite flavour from a huge array of options on offer! In no time at all, the ice creams had been eaten and we once again climbed aboard the bus, this time headed for North Wales.

As we crossed the border into Flintshire, the girls gave out a cheer but unfortunately, we soon ran into bank holiday traffic and moved at a snail’s pace for several miles. After two hours on the bus, we were finally nearing our destination in Conwy, to play Rydal Penhros School. On arrival we made haste to begin our final game of the tour, this time returning to three smaller teams.

Rydal Penrhos also fielded mixed teams but this time, the Lady Barn girls looked settled and confident as they took to the astro to play, and there was some excellent batting on show from both sides. With two wins and a loss, the Lady Barn girls finished on a high and were all smiles, which was fantastic to see. There was just time for a last photo before heading up to the dining room for tea and then it was time to board the bus for the journey home.

The rounders tour was a brilliant day. Well done to all the girls who took part!

Mrs S Clay, Head of Girls' Games