CHELMSFORD Cricket Club’s girls’ section have claimed their first silverware – just a year after its foundation.

The group – affectionately known as The Willows –  have been crowned the Essex Under-11 Lady Taverners champions.

And it was a case of third time lucky for the team after finishing runners-up twice in other recent competitions.

The girls only lost one game to eventual winners Chelmsford CC boys in the Basildon & Pitsea CC soft-ball tournament.

And they recorded victories over Colchester, Saffron Walden, Woodford Wells and Wanstead in the U13 Lady Taverners soft-ball tournament’s Essex round, before falling 15 runs short against eventual winners Hutton CC.

The U10 girls then beat Hutton U9 boys by 43 runs in the CEDCB U9 West League to make it two games unbeaten in the boys’ league.

And The Willows wrapped up a busy week with the Essex round of the U11 Lady Taverners soft-ball tournament.

The Willows team finished as runners-up in their first summer in the competition last year, losing to Wanstead. But this year the Willows entered two teams, with the Chelmsford A team featuring eight full Essex County players.

Only five teams were present this year and the Willows A team, sponsored by Warsop, were unbeaten, and defeated Hutton in their final game to secure the tournament crown.

“It’s been an incredible year for the club and the girls,” said girls’ section manager Adrian Tuff. “When we started last season we never expected the number of girls who we have seen coming to play cricket at Chelmsford, nor that so many of our girls would be selected to play for Essex county age group squads.

“The important thing is that all of the girls are really enjoying their cricket, and making good friendships.” 

The girls’ section started with one member but has now grown to more than 30 girls in school Years 1 to 8.
Training is at Chelmer Park on Friday nights from 6.30pm to 8pm.   Email adrian.tuff@gmail.com for details