Newport Cricket Club’s U15 Girls team travel to Denby Cricket Club (Derbyshire) today to face three other UK Regional winners in the National Finals.
Newport continued their winning run in the Lady Taverrners U15 National T20 Cup, beating holders St Cross Symondians in the Wales & South West Zone Final to gain a place in the finals.
Newport had a difficult draw in the Wales & South West of England Zone of the Lady Taverners National T20 Cup, but beat Newent (Gloucs), Frenchay (Bristol) and previous winners TARKA (North Devon) to progress through to the Zone Final.
In the Zone Final against St Cross (Hants), Newport were put into bat, but got off to an excellent start scoring 77 from 12 overs before Sophie Thomas was out LBW for 40. Fellow operer Lori Matthews soon followed for 32, but a good 32 run partnership between Amy Harris 16 n.o and Sophia Smale 18n.o, allowed Newport to post a useful 120 for 2 from their allotted 20 overs.
In reply, Newport made a good start with St Cross losing an early wicket to the bowling of Lori Matthews (1-11). With the introduction of Sophie Thomas into the attack, Newport made further inroads with the wicket of the dangerous Lucia Kendall and at 37-2 off 8 overs Newport were in a strong position. The Newport fielding constantly put the St Cross batters under pressure and with further wickets falling, St Cross collapsed to 48 all out to leave Newport Girls comfortable winners by 72 runs.
Sophie Thomas with 3 – 9 and Sophia Smale 2-5 were the pick of the Newport bowlers in an excellent fielding and bowling display.
Having been U15 UK winners in 2014, Newport will travel to Derbyshire with great confidence in their quest to become UK U15 National Champions again, but standing in their way are Porthill Park (Midlands), Sessay (North) and Hayes (London & South).