TUNBRIDGE Wells’ latest champion cricketers are back at school after winning the U13 Girls Club T20 on the hallowed green of Lord’s Cricket Ground.
The U13 schoolgirl champions emerged from the Tunbridge Wells Cricket Club (TWCC) girls’ section founded 14 years ago.
Praising their “incredible achievement”, TWCC Chair of Youth Cricket Elliott Hughes said: “The girls’ section was formed in 2009 with 19 girls and now boasts around 150 players aged from 7 to 18.”
The girls’ win also represents the TWCC junior section’s first national title since 2007, when the boys won the U15 National Cup.
“The club hopes this may act as the springboard for the expansion and development of girls’ and women’s cricket in Tunbridge Wells,” Mr Hughes added.
TWCC beat Berkswell Cricket Club U13 girls by 51 runs, thanks to an enormous 158-run opening partnership between Georgia Moran and Ruby Marriage, and the side finished on 193-2 with Georgia 90 not out and Ruby 71.
The West Kent side defended their total with skilful bowling and fielding, with stand-out bowling from Daisy Brandon and Charley Wren, with 2-12 and 2-14 respectively, although all members contributed, said TWCC.
The national title follows other recent high-profile sporting successes for women, notably England’s footballers – the Lionesses – winning EURO 2022 last year and reaching this year’s World Cup Final.
TWCC Vice President David Marshall hailed the players’ victory as part of a wider “moment” for women’s sport, both nationally and in the town.
Mr Marshall said: “One of our major quests is to increase the number of female volunteers at the Club, specifically in coaching our cohort of around 150 girls between 7 and 18.”
