ABOVE: Back (left to right): Jemima Mitchell, Imogen Daldorph, Grace Golsworthy, Megan Hayward, Kat Frost, Lucy Vosper, Eliza Heard; Front: Maggie Haffenden, Erin Vukusic, Elle Golsworthy, Georgia Read, Maddie Russell, Piper Haffenden.
Exeter CC Under 19 Girls have been crowned T20 national champions after defeating Sessay CC by 6 wickets at Kibworth CC.
Exeter CC's Under 19 Girls travelled to Kibworth CC, Leicestershire on Monday, August 19 to take part in the National Finals Day 2024. The Devonshire side had reached Finals Day having defeated Taunton Deane CC, Dumbleton CC and St Cross Symondians CC along the way, with a number of the squad having been crowned Under 13 Lady Taverners' Club T20 national champions in 2019.
Semi-final | Exeter CC beat Astwood Bank CC by 9 wickets
Exeter were allocated the main pitch for their semi-final against Astwood Bank CC, with Georgia Read having a plan already formulated. With a strong bowling presence, she decided to play to the side's strengths after winning the toss. With tight opening figures from Erin Vukusic, Maggie Haffenden and Maddie Russell, Exeter restricted Astwood Bank to just 42 runs for 3 wickets after 10 overs. The bowling attack continued with wickets for Haffenden, Daldorph, Hayward and Russell, and some outstanding fielding from Vukusic with 2 solid catches and 2 assisted run-outs. At the end of the innings, Astwood Bank finished 120/6.
In reply, Georgia Read and Elle Golsworthy headed out to the crease with the target of 121. Class batting from both ensued, with steady heads and well-placed shots. After losing Read in the 10th over, Vukusic stepped out to the wicket and with sensible heads both players continued to put in an excellent performance with the bat, Golsworthy finishing on an incredible 62* with 8 boundaries and Vukusic on 28*.
An outstanding performance from all in the field gave the players confidence going into the final.
Final | Exeter CC beat Sessay CC by 6 wickets
Sessay CC were to be the opponents in the final and once again captain Read decided to stick with the plan with Exeter again taking the ball. Another excellent spell of bowling from Vukusic and Daldorph restricted Sessay to just 24 runs and a wicket off 7 overs. At the change Haffenden and Russell picked up the reins and continued the onslaught of precision bowling, picking up 2 more wickets including an outstanding catch on the boundary from Elle Golsworthy, leaving Sessay with just 49 runs and 6 wickets gone by the end of the 15th over. Vosper and Hayward finished off the opposition with further wickets to leave Sessay on just 78 runs off the 20 overs.
With a total of 79 needed to win, Exeter started their batting innings with the knowledge they had plenty of overs to reach the target. Read and Golsworthy began very well with a total of 34 off just 4 overs. An early departure for Golsworthy in the 5th over wasn't in the plan and three more quick wickets resulted in someone needing to stay in with Read and see the team over the line. Daldorph and Read batted with intelligence and, in the 13th over, Georgia struck a glorious boundary to win the game.
Coach since 2019, Tim Read, said: "The girls saved their best cricket of the season in all three departments to deliver a superb team performance on finals day…pressure, what pressure?"
Girls and Women’s manager, Tammi Vukusic said: “As a club, we have worked hard to develop our girls and women’s programme both at participation and performance level across all age groups. The hard work from players, parents, coaches and managers makes days like today all the more special.
"This has been a huge team effort and I am so proud of everyone who has been involved. Exeter CC has been a supportive club for girls and women’s cricket from day one and we hope to continue to thrive and grow over the coming years.
"Five of the squad played in the winning team from the Under 13 National Finals in 2019, which has made today all the more special."
