The girls have had another outstanding season. Yet again we have travelled far outside the county, playing many of the country’s top teams. Overall, the girls have had 21 wins, 3 walkovers from teams that chose not play us, and only 10 losses. The 1st XI and U15 Cup side only lost in cup competitions and in each case, it was either to the team that went on to win the competition or who will play in the finals of that competition.

The cricketing year actually began in September with the U15 National T20 Finals Day at Rugby School. We won our semi-final, but just came up short in the Final against Repton.

Our U15 team began the season in March by winning the County Round of the Indoor Cup to retain our County Champions title from last year. We then travelled to Cambridge in April and were runners-up in the regional finals.

The First XI has been represented by 16 players: 2 in Year 13, 1 in Year 12, 3 in Year 11, 5 in Year 10 and 5 in Year 9, which shows that the future continues to be bright for girls’ cricket at Gresham’s. Outstanding bowling performances this season include 4-wicket hauls for Charlotte T against Norwich, Grace H against Ipswich, Angelica H against Culford, Izzy P against Dereham, Clemmie O against Ipswich and Georgia D against Norwich in the U15 County Cup Final. The top wicket-taker is Angelica H with 19, while Izzy P came second with 13. The best average and best economy rate are both held for the second season running by Katie B.

There have been eight 50’s this season: 3 for Georgia D, 2 each to Grace H and Liv M, and one for Charlotte G. The stand-out performance was Grace’s 108 not out at Culford – the first girls’ century the school has ever had. Grace scored 386 runs at an average of 47, Georgia 281 at 55 and Liv scored 280.

Our season ended with the U17s narrowly losing away against Epsom College in the National Quarter Final of the Cup. Epsom went on to beat Stamford yesterday in the final (a team we beat well at the start of the season) meaning that again we only lost to the eventual winner. Finally, the U15s brought home the County Cup on Tuesday with a resounding win over Norwich.

On Speech Day, we say goodbye to the pioneers of girls’ cricket at Gresham’s: Jemima T (who won Shot of the Season for her back foot pull shot for 6 at Culford) has been an outstanding ambassador for girls’ cricket, while Charlotte T (the school’s top wicket-taker) has been the first girl to play 5 seasons for the school, the last three of those as Captain. Tippers and Toddy will become the first girls ever to play in the Leavers’ Game against the Staff ‘Beaks’ XI, which will be their last ‘first’ ever, as they leave a legacy for Gresham’s Girls’ Cricket that will be long remembered.

Junior Girls Most Improved Player of the Season – Agnes L

Junior Girls Player of the Season – Jolie M

Senior Girls XI Most Improved Player of the Season – Charlotte R

Senior Girls Player of the Season – Katie B

1st XI Most Improved Player of the Season – Angelica H

1st XI Player of the Season – Grace H