ABOVE: Exeter under-19s are all smiles after defeating St Cross Symondians to reach the Vitality Girls Twenty20 Cup finals day. Back (left to right):  Kat Frost, Megan Hayward, Maddie Russell, Georgia Read, Erin Vakusic, Jemima Mitchell, Imogen Daldorph; front: Piper Haffeden, Lucy Vosper, Grace Golsworthy, Maggie Haffenden, Elle Golsworthy.

EXETER’s under-19 team are through to the national finals of the Vitality Girls Twenty20 Cup following a narrow victory in Winchester over St Cross Symondians CC in the regional final.

The Exeter girls posted a competitive total of 134 with captain Georgia Read scoring 60 at better-than-run-a-ball rate. Erin Vukusic and Elle Golsworthy supported well with contributions of 20 each. 

The Symondians chased strongly and looked set for victory at 100 for three after 14 overs.Exeter under-13 with the silverware after they defeated South Northumberland in the 2019 the Vitality Girls Twenty20 Cup final. Back row (left to right): Imogen Daldorph, Bea Willis, Erin Vukusic, Letty Lovell; front: Cate Read, Georgia Read, Eliza Heard and Elle Golsworthy

However, the pressure of the run chase, some tight bowling and an excellent catching and fielding display saw Exeter turn the screw and secure a 12-run victory. 

Lucy Vosper bowled the pressure overs and returned figures of 2-9 off two overs. Vosper also assisted in two vital run-outs. 

Vukusic’s special contribution was a tight spell of bowling at less than four an over AND two important wickets. 

The leg-spin of Megan Hayward, combined well with the seam attack from the Haffenden sisters Maggie and Piper which, along with four very tidy overs from Maddie Russell, was enough to see Exeter through in a tight finish.

Exeter now look forward to and all-expenses-paid overnight stay in Leicestershire and the national finals on Monday (August 19) at the impressive Kibworth CC. They meet Worcestershire side Astwood Bank in their semi-final. Richmond (Greater London) and Sessay (Yorkshire) contest the other semi-final.

Five of the travelling squad represented Exeter when they became national champions back in 2019 at under-13 level in the same competition. Exeter defeated South Northumberland by 49 runs in that final with skipper Georgia Read hitting 67.

Exeter have been the dominant force in women's cricket in Devon in the last two years. They were the DWCL Division One champions in 2023 and currently top the same division this year with an unassailable 70-point lead. The under-19s feature prominently in the side.

These results are a testament to the hard work and commitment put in by Tammi Vakusic, the Exeter CC secretary and director of women's cricket.