05/09/2026
Last night our U15s Girls ended their season with victory in the league play off final, beating Harrogate to take the title for the second year in a row, after beating Burley-in-Wharfedale in 2025.
Captain Maddie won the toss and elected to bowl first. Ella and Violet took the new pink ball and struck immediately. Ella taking the top of off stump and a Maddie run out at mid off gave us a great start with Harrogate 2-2 after just 7 deliveries.
Imogen was brought into the attack and struck second ball, LBW, before Maya picked up another wicket in her 4th delivery of a superbly controlled over. Wickets were falling frequently and only a resistant knock of 23* saw L Baker retire for Harrogate. Pace off was working well as captain Maddie gave herself one over, resulting in another wicket, caught in cover by Lois. With 4 overs remaining, Freya came on to claim a scalp with a beautiful out-swinging delivery that beat the bat and Harrogate were 77-6 before overs from Erin, Poppy and Olivia closed out the 16 overs with Harrogate reaching 96.
After a quick turnaround, and questions from Coach Martin about how bowling disciplines and extras could be critical in the run chase, Lois and Erin took to the crease to begin chipping away at the score. Early pressure was telling, as both started nervously but saw us into the 40s with Lois retiring on 23 and Erin retiring having faced half the batting overs with a steady and mature risk-free innings. That brought Caya, Olivia and Maddie into the crease and all departed in quick procession. Having not been challenged in many games past the top 4/5 batters, it was time to knuckle down and see if we could close the game out. Enter our birthday girl and calmness personified, Poppy. At 63-3 and still needing 34 runs, her management of the next few overs was the telling difference as quick singles with Violet, forcing overthrows and fielding errors, allowed us to capitalise and get back in the driving seat.
With just 6 overs remaining, we still needed almost 6 an over and we’d only be getting half that. The partnership took us into the 80s and 90s before an overthrow for 5 runs gave us a release of scoreboard pressure. Fair to say, Harrogate’s bowling attack was excellent. We struggled to find enough bad balls to put away and their bowling lengths were really good. With 5 runs needed off over 14, Violet showed her calmness and improvements in her batting to guide us to victory before the girls ran onto the field in celebration.
It may not have been our most polished performance, but we did what we needed to do, to get over the line, testament to the team spirit they’ve created over the last 3/4 seasons.
Special mentions to Maisie and Sophie, 12th and 13th player who contributed on the day and showed their commitment to the team with their support on and off the field as well as Sadie who came to support the girls.
Another year done, another trophy in the cabinet but more importantly is the way these girls present themselves when they’re in club colours. Maybe not everyone sees the little things that are important, but as Coach, I do.
The girls headed off the pitch in front of their defeated opponents to ensure that they were lined up and ready to clap each and every one of them off as they left the field. This is what makes a team special, recognising humility, being gracious and humble in victory and defeat - the trophies are just a bonus.
Harrogate Girls were a credit to their club, and we all enjoyed pizza together afterwards, showing how cricket should be played!
Hard, fair, but always in friendship.
