Devon’s Under 15 girls have become the National Champions after overcoming Wales in the final at the picturesque setting of Sidmouth CC. After winning the toss Devon were in all sorts of trouble as they slumped to an initial 23-4 with the vanguard of this season’s batting, Amara Carr and Frances Lausen back in the pavilion with a just a single between them. Then came a terrific fightback, led by Julia Hayes, who chose her game brilliantly to score her maiden half century in any form of cricket. Julia marshaled the lower middle order brilliantly as she shared in stands of 30 with Kate Sargeant before adding 41 for the 8th wicket with Clara Nielson as Devon closed on a competitive score of 144-8 from their 35 overs. Gwenan Davis 2-15 and Lauren Parfitt 2-19 were the leading bowlers for the Welsh girls.

 

Devon were in no mood to let slip the national title as they struck early in the Wales innings as first Jodie Dibble removed Jo Westwood before Rebecca Donohue trapped Lauren Parfitt lbw for just 6. Devon’s season has been built upon a formidable bowling line up, this season has seen seven of the squad’s bowlers go for less than three runs an over and they were all on the money in this match. The fact that the highest stand of the Wales innings was 18 for the final wicket demonstrated their dominance as they refused to let Wales establish any sort of momentum as wickets fell on a regular basis. Rebecca Piddock claimed 3-10 and Clara Nielson completed a fine individual performance with 2-9 with only Bethan Moorcroft making it to double figures. A fitting moment for skipper Piddock as she collected the Under 15 National Girls Trophy on her 16th birthday in her final match for the Under 15 side.