Sunday saw the end to the cricket season and below is a summary of the Girls U13s season and awards.

Team Performance
League – P. 10, W. 7, L. 3 - pts 27
Won the league!
This is an amazing achievement from the girls in so many ways.
• It's the first time the majority of these girls had played hard ball and 'proper rules' cricket.
• We don't actually have anyone in our group that is an U13.
• We regularly played against sides with numerous county players (we have 1).
One stat as a coach that I am really proud of!
• We had a squad this season of 17 girls and all 17 played a part in the amazing season.
• We regularly played against teams that would only pick girls that were 'ready' for games.

In the Cup, we got through to the ¼ finals and gave Greyshott a decent game.
• Greyshott lost in final to Hursley Park so 2 very good tier 1 sides.

Thankyous
• All the girls for turning up every week and making coaching every Monday evening such fun – they listen, seem to enjoy and definitely implement what we practice. The way they have played and conducted themselves in games has also been first class.
• Parents for bringing the girls every week, admin & inputting availability and getting the girls to games – makes my life so much easier!
• Club Committee - Chris, Judith Squires and the club committee who sort out the pitches, training areas/nets, support me constantly and make my life a lot easier.
• Team of Coaches – John, Matt and Sid have been an amazing help all season whether helping at training, taking training when I couldn’t be there and help & taking games. Their help has ensured the girls coaching is done in smaller groups so that learning is more concentrated but also of a really good quality.

Batter of Year

Other notables, Isabelle Masterson 116 @ 19, Nell 109 @13, Elouise 109 @ 22 & Martha 91 @ 22 (also highest score of season with 42* vs St Cross). But the winner:

• Topped our run scorers with 132 runs at 22
• Batted in all positions from opening down to 6
• Highest score of 34*
• Added a level of application to her game. Always been a good striker of the cricket ball but added that level of building an innings!
• Batter of Year – Emily Heapy

Bowler of Year

Other notable performances Isabelle Masterson 8 wkts @ 15, Nell 6 wkts @ 16.5 and Sophia 4 wickets @ 23 (including best figures of the season 3 for 4 vs Locks Heath). Also special notice to Eilish who took an amazing 3 for 10 in the same game vs Locks Heath. But the winner:

• Joint top wicket taker with Isabelle with 8 wickets
• But had a slightly better average to pip the award of 13.5
• Opening the bowling in most games and always got the team off to a good start by taking early wickets
• Naturally swings the ball away and bowls decent pace
• Bowler of the Year – Martha Ferguson

Fielder of Year

Special mention to Amilie for putting her hand up in the winter to have a go at wicket keeping and improving throughout the season. Nell for also keeping when asked and against Locks Heath had 0 byes – also fielded well in the outfield too. Isabelle and Martha were always busy in the field, taking good catches, backing up and stopping many runs and then credit to all as everyone fielded well, stopped runs, understood backing up and most importantly supported each other in the field.

• Winner had 3 catches and 3 run outs, 2 catches as wicket keeper
• Also, had a game vs Hambledon with 0 byes
• Another only to have taken on wicket keeping during the winter but also fielded well in the games that she was in the outfield
• Always vocal and supports her team
• Fielder of the Year – Elouise Yarnley

Most Improved

So many could of won this award and feel it's right that we mention some of these:

Grace Dudley – popular member of the squad and put in some strong performances this year. Her not out partnership supporting Martha as we beat Havant in the cup was brilliant considering the pressure and opposition.

Isla Haines – first season with us and been really enjoyable having her on board. Trains really well and can naturally spin the ball away from the batters. Islas batting has also improved, and we’ve seen her improvements throughout the season. Really good at training and always puts in max effort.

Poppy – once Poppy got a thigh pad you could see her confidence grow in regards not being scared of the ball. Her running improved so much throughout the season and being there at the end with Hattie in the last game vs Havant was testament to that. With the ball again big strides saving the best to last again vs Havant.

Phoebe Watson – brilliant season with us and again such a popular character. Bowled really well and in the field gave absolutely everything. Always a bubbly personality and a pleasure to coach.

The winner though:
• Bowling has gone onto another level and a point of difference for the team
• Batted anywhere in the order from opening to 8 depending on what the team needed and without any moaning or fuss!
• Good in the field – quick to the ball, good arm and accurate throws
• Taken the teams best bowling figures this season
• Attitude at training is always spot on and takes on board what we are trying to coach
• Most Improved – Sophia Gubbins

Coaches Player

This girl really deserves this award for an outstanding season
• Second highest run scorer
• Joint leading wicket taker
• Brilliant in the field
• Very popular member of the group and excellent attitude to training
• Puts in real effort at training and you can see is trying to get better every week
• Made women’s debut at the end of the season and took 2 wickets and finished 11 not out to see the team home
• I hope all the above proves to this girl that she has the attributes to be a really good cricketer and believe in herself
• Player of the Year – Isabelle Masterson

Players Player

The only award I have no say on as purely voted for by your teammates!!!! A total of 8 people were nominated by teammates which definitely shows we are a team and not reliant on 1 or 2 players. It also shows that everyone’s effort is appreciated whether at training or in the games.

3rd Place – Nell
2nd Place – Isabelle

The winner is a very popular choice though.

• A real break through season for this young lady
• Always been an excellent trainer and the effort she puts in whether in the summer or winter has reaped rewards this season
• Always been excellent with the ball and her economy was excellent all season
• But its with the bat where we had so much success – not the most confident with the willow but I’m really hoping after this season it shows what ability she has and to believe in herself.
• She got her top score of the season in a brave innings vs Hambledon (again last girl stands against the quickest bowler in the league by far)
• Then the following week a match winning innings of 12* (again as last person stands) – needing 25 on here own she got us the win which ultimately won the league!
• On top of this my actual favourite moment was watching Hattie hit the best straight drive for 4 vs Locks Heath!

1st Place – Hattie Houlton – well deserved.

This year there is a player assessment for each player and it highlights their stats for the season, their playing strengths and then just a summary of the season.

I will let everyone know about winter nets as it may change this year slightly. We haven’t entered the indoor league this year as the fixtures became tricky to fulfil and I would rather get a really good winter programme for the girls developing their skills.

Winter well.