SEFTON PARK LIFT FIRST EVER WOMEN'S HARDBALL LEAGUE TROPHY

Date: 13th September 2021

THE INAUGURAL WOMEN'S HARDBALL SUPER 8'S LEAGUE GOES TO LIVERPOOL SIDE AFTER SUCCESSFUL ROLL OUT OF HARDBALL CRICKET FOR WOMEN'S SECTIONS IN THE COMP

The 8 a side pairs based format (16 overs per innings) proved very popular in its first year with a total of 7 teams competing over 8 weeks. The competition, described as a 'transition' product, is designed for softball players seeking to progress to hardball.

Hightown, Liverpool, Rainhill, Tarleton, Wavertree, Bootle and Sefton Park pitted against each other with the latter 2 meeting each other in their last game, each on 12 points, and each with a 100% record. After Sefton posted 273, assisted by Sarah John's 29 off 17 balls, Bootle's reply was held in check by tight bowling and 2 wicket in the first 8 overs. However, an excellent partnership of 25 between Nicola Gallimore and Alex Walker in their 4 over pairing left a target of 33 from the last 4 overs. 8 runs from the first 12 left the Belles with too much to do in the last 2 overs, and Sefton closed out the game with a 19 run margin to take the title and maintain their 100% record.

A total of 96 women and girls took part in the competition, a sizeable proportion playing competitive hardball league cricket for the first time. This is an achievement for all to be very proud of.