"I cannot believe how far female cricket in Devon has come in such a small amount of time," comments Ann-Marie Presswell, Devon Cricket Foundation's Women & Girls' Development Officer.
"Finals Day is the culmination of over 100 female teams playing in Devon, where the Devon Girls' Cricket League winners are decided and where we celebrate the playing achievements of the girls and the Tolchards Devon Women’s Cricket Hardball and Softball Leagues.
"For me the day is topped off with the fact that we have a full female umpiring team and a representative of the professional game here, it couldn’t be better!"
There was cricket to get through on the day and more cricket to celebrate during the interval.
The running order for the day looked as such:
Whilst the Under 11 division winners started their semi-finals on the junior pitch, Exeter CC and Plymouth CC commenced their game to see who the winner of the League trophy for the Under 13 Powerpairs League.
Under 11Countdown League Semi-Finals
Semi-Final One: Heathcoat CC vs Cullompton CC
Cullompton, new to the league this year, took on Heathcoat in the first semi-final of the day.
It was a fantastically close game which came down to the last over, but tight bowling from Cullompton meant that Heathcoat were 3 runs short of the total required.
Semi-Final Two: Hawks (Tavistock CC) vs Teignmouth and Shaldon CC
Teignmouth and Shaldon, current league Champions took on new team Tavistock's Hawks in the second semi-final of the day.
Teignmouth and Shaldon win by 75 runs.
Final: Cullompton CC vs Teignmouth and Shaldon CC
Teignmouth and Shaldon retained their title in a close match against league newcomers Cullompton, with the game going down to the final balls.
Under 13 Powerpairs Final
Plymouth CC vs Exeter CC
Back after a year away, both Plymouth and Exeter were unbeaten in their leagues, so the final was set to be a great game of competitive cricket. Given the opportunity to develop their one play lists as they played, the atmosphere during the game was fantastic and there was lots of support for both teams.
Plymouth won the toss and elected to bowl first. Exeter batted with intent and finished on 140 with the loss of three wickets. Tight bowling and fielding left Plymouth struggling to find the runs. A flurry of runs for the last pair was not enough to see them get to the total required.
Exeter beat Plymouth by 33 runs.
Celebration of Women and Girls' Cricket on the Field
After the games of the morning, the guests and teams present moved to the pitch outfield for the presentation of the volunteers and playing awards.
With Niamh Holland in attendance to help the women and girls celebrate their achievements, it was a lovely atmosphere as the awards were handed out.
TOLCHARDS DEVON WOMEN’S SOFTBALL LEAGUE
Division Winners: Abbotskerswell CC, Clyst St George CC, Cornwood Delamore CC, Exmouth Central, Exmouth East, Holsworthy CC
League Winners: Holsworthy CC
League Runners-Up: Exmouth Central CC
DWSL Bowler of the Season: Sarah Antonio, Exmouth CC
15 wickets, the same as Nat Sparks of Whimple, but with half the economy rate of 3.61 Best bowling of 4/10
DWSL Batter of the Season: Jess Phillips, Cullompton CC
149 runs across the season with a strike rate of 140.17
TOLCHARDS DEVON WOMEN’S HARDBALL LEAGUE
Division One Winners: Exeter CC
Division One Bowler of the Season: Regina Lillii, North Devon Tarka 15 wickets
Division One Batter of the Season: Regina Lillii, North Devon Tarka 562 runs (SR101.44)
Division One Player's Player: Keira De Villiers
Division One Spirit of Cricket (Under 18 player): Ella Gill
Division Two Winners: Taunton Deane CC
Division Two Bowler of the Season: Jasmyne Watson, Exmouth CC
16 wickets, 9 maidens Economy 2.54
Same as Libby Hancock, but better economy
Division Two Batter of the Season: Monica Gair, Bovey Tracey CC
438 runs (SR108.68)
Division Two Player's Player: Libby Hancock
Division Two Spirit of Cricket (Under 18 player): Olive McCauley
DEVON GIRLS' CRICKET LEAGUE
|
|
Bowler of the Season |
Batter of the Season |
|
U13 Powerpairs League |
Siri Tucker-Hart, Plymouth CC, 10 wickets |
Iris Woodward, Exeter CC, Net Runs 106 |
|
U15 Super 8s League |
Kat Frost, Exeter CC, 8.5-1-34-7 |
Lily Sargent, Chagford CC, 181 Runs (144.8 SR) |
|
U17 T20 Blast |
Nancy Gilpin, Paignton CC, 4 wickets |
Charlotte Greenwood, Plympton CC, 63 Runs (98.44 SR) |
UNDER 11 COUNTDOWN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Teignmouth and Shaldon CC
UNDER 13 COUNTDOWN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Teignmouth and Shaldon CC
UNDER 13 POWERPAIRS LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Exeter CC
UNDER 15 SUPER 8 LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Exeter CC
UNDER 17 T20 BLAST LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Plympton CC
Thank you to all the officials who were in attendance for the day and who umpired and scored the games for the teams.
The day concluded with the Under 13 Countdown Cricket Final on the Junior Pitch and the Under 15 Super 8s Final on the main pitch.
Under 13 Countdown Cricket Final
Sidmouth CC vs Teignmouth and Shaldon CC
Having met in the Under 11 Finals last year, Sidmouth and Teignmouth and Shaldon meet again to see who the winners of the U13 Countdown League will be. Sidmouth have come a long way since their first season last year and so the match was set to be a fierce competition.
It was a great competition. Fielding and bowling well, Sidmouth set Teignmouth and Shaldon a total of 66 to chase. Sidmouth started well, but as they reached the total, nerves set in and tight bowling and the loss of several wickets at the end of the overs, put the total out of sight.
Teignmouth and Shaldon win by 18 runs.
Under 15 Super 8s League Final
Plymouth CC vs Exeter CC
Meeting again in the final for the 3rd year in a row, Plymouth and Exeter will once again play off to see who the League Champions will be. Having won the title once each, the games are always close and competitive. Whilst Exeter remained unbeaten for the season, Plymouth had a more difficult run to the top of the table decider position. It was time to see if they could rise to the occasion.
Exeter won the toss and elected to field, making an impact straight away leaving Plymouth 2 down with 15 runs on the board. Rebuilding the innings, Plymouth ended setting Exeter the target 115 to win.
Exeter went in to bat and the loss of a very early wicket was not what they needed. Exeter batted sensibly, slowly building a score. A flurry of wickets towards the end of the innings, left Exeter needing 8 off the last over. It all came down to the last ball, with Exeter getting the two runs required to retain the title in dramatic fashion!
Everyone agreed it was a fantastic day of cricket. Every game was well fought and close and the setting of Budleigh Salterton was an excellent backdrop to an excellent day of cricket.
"What a fantastic end to a fantastic season. I couldn’t have asked for the day to have gone any better!"
If you would like to enter the Devon Girls' Cricket League, or you would like support setting up a women and/or girls' section at your club, please contact Ann-Marie Presswell.
