U13 GIRLS REACH NATIONAL FINAL
22nd August 2016
| Mallory Gray
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What a Happy Bunch!
The future
of girls’ cricket in Wales continues to demonstrate its promise for the future
as Hannaa Zaman’s U13 side were rewarded for their consistency throughout the
season by securing a place in the national final.
The youngsters began their
campaign successfully with a convincing victory over Devon in early June, with
captain Ellie Chahal leading from the front with 32 and Sejal Sisodiya taking a
brilliant 4-9. Frustration followed, however, as their season was halted with
three games being abandoned due to rain. However, the break clearly didn’t
affect the girls’ confidence, as they comprehensively defeated Gloucestershire,
with Sophie Thomas smashing a fantastic maiden century, demonstrating her
magnificent talent and maturity at such a young age. Gwenno Manley also took
3-17 in Gloucestershire’s innings, again reflecting the depth in talent that lies
within Wales’ squad.
Wales suffered only one league
defeat, which came against a strong Hampshire side as our girls slumped to a
disappointing 50 all out. Needing to rebuild and fight back from the loss,
Nicole Voke hit a fantastic 47 alongside Hannah Garnett’s 3-10 against
Somerset, not only proving the side’s talent but also their strength and
resilience to compete.
Sophie Thomas continued to impress
throughout the remaining games, adding scores of 83* and 65* to her century and
figures of 5-32 and 3-14. Young Sophia Smale also showed her skill by taking
4-15 as the girls sought revenge by defeating Hampshire in the away fixture. In
the second game against Somerset, Savanna Dickens scored 69 and Hannah Garnett
impressed once more with outstanding figures of 5-7 to dismiss the opposition
for a miserly 48 all out!
After securing their place in the
final by defeating Devon at Newport CC, coach Hannaa Zaman said: “I am so proud
of all the girls and everything they have achieved this season, it has been a
long time coming to get to the ECB Finals. The girls have worked fantastically
as a team and we consider ourselves a ‘cricket family’, bringing us together as
a tight-knit unit. The girls have played superbly all season and have been
enjoying their cricket. The team is ready for the finals and hoping to bring
back the cup.”
It is fantastic to see the girls’
game developing and we hope to add many more successes to this over the next
few years!