Tuesday 9th June saw history being created for Sutton Coldfield Cricket Club as the first ever girls' hardball team (with Kings Heath) played their first match against Olton & West Warwickshire Girls.

Olton & West Warwickshire won the toss and chose to bat. Mahnoor bowled a wicket and Grace took a run out to achieve a total of 2 wickets for Olton's 94 runs. Grace, Becky and Mahnoor all took turns to wear the keeping gloves and between them only allowed 2 byes past them.

Sutton & Kings Heath had a high score to chase but with a headstart of 10 for the 2 wickets, the game was on. Hafsah and Abi opened with the first 4 overs followed by Naomi and Esther, then Brook and Becky, leaving 8 overs remaining and only 2 wickets fallen but 52 runs needed to win. Ahana and Asiyah managed a partnership of 19 including 2 4s from Ahana but unfortunately lost 3 wickets which increased Olton's net score. Grace and Mahnoor came in as the last pair knowing they had a big mission ahead of them and they definitely rose to the challenge with strike rates of 108 and 80 respectively. The final over required 37 balls and started 4 runs off a no ball giving a total of 6. This thrilling 9 ball over saw 15 gutsy runs in an attempt to reduce the deficit but Olton's bowling was very strong and they took a deserved win.

Other batting performances including Ahana's 11 runs off 13 balls and Naomi's 4 runs off 6 balls. All Sutton & Kings Heath bowlers had an economy of 8 or below with Grace giving away just 2 runs off 2 overs, Esther just 4 runs off 2 overs and Naomi just 6 runs off 3 overs.

Well done to all the girls who batted, bowled and fielded well and enjoyed cricket in the way it should be with great camaraderie and sportsmanship.

Watch out for some of these girls who may one day be playing professional cricket:

• Hafsah
• Abigail
• Naomi
• Asiyah
• Esther (Kings Heath)
• Grace
• Brook (Kings Heath)
• Mahnoor
• Ahana
• Becky (Kings Heath)

Paul Long, Assistant Team Manager