Newport CC crowned inaugural U14 Girls Welsh Cup champions
Newport CC crowned inaugural U14 Girls Welsh Cup champions
Newport CC were crowned champions of the first ever U14 Girls Welsh Cup in their own back yard as the tournament came to a close on a fantastic day on Saturday 12 September.
The cup competition follows on the growth in the female game and the next step to providing more opportunities for young girls.
It was a captivating day from the outset, with two semi-finals being played out simultaneously.
The hosts were up against Pontblyddyn CC of North Wales who posted 84 off their allotted 16 overs, with Newport’s Lottie Williams claiming three wickets to match Lean Evans’ strong contribution of 23 runs.
Williams stole the show, however, providing a key 32 runs not out as her Newport side passed their opponents’ score in the 13th over.
The other semi-final consisted of Carmarthen Wanderers CC and Pontarddulais CC.
The tie was won with some excellent bowling from Carmarthen, Erin James taking three wickets while Iris Vaughan Morris and Isabel Hughes both took two, as Pontarddulais made 40 in reply to their opponents’ 124/2.
Before the final, the defeated semi-finalists played out a dramatic third/fourth play-off which went right down to the last over.
Pontarddulais claimed third eventually, as Pontblyddyn’s Beth Learn’s four wickets weren’t wuite enough to deny brilliant batting from Phoebe Donne, who racked up 30 not out, and Nia Thomas, who finished on 35 not out and hit a boundary to win the game in that final over.
The hosts were then back in action, taking on Carmarthen Wanderers in the final.
Newport made a great start with a wicket off the very first ball, and the momentum continued as they bowled their opponents out for 26. Newport went on to claim the inaugural U14 Girls Welsh Cup crown within three overs to make history.
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