Taunton Cricket’s Under 15s girls could not have been closer to winning the regional competition and qualifying for Lords. In the four matches they played, we had a win by one ball, a tie and unfortunately a loss of the last ball in the final.

In the first match Vs Hardenhuish we fielded first and restricted them to 67, which should have been easily manageable but a nervy batting display saw Taunton creep over the line with a one wicket win with Lola T and Harriet P at the crease.

In match two (an even tighter match) Taunton batted first again Vs Blundlells, it was a good display with the ball with wickets for Lily B, Charlotte W and Lola T plus other good overs from Alexa W and Samia J as well as an excellent run out by Erin W. This time chasing 81 Taunton batted more effectively with Harper O-W batting well as did Sophie D, both making 14, but it was left to Lilly B, who had already retired, to try and score the winning runs, in a dramatic finish Taunton needed 3 off the last ball, we got a two and the game was tied.

Blundells then lost their next match which left a straight shoot out between Taunton and Island Free School, Taunton batted excellently in this match as Charlotte W starred with the bat followed up by Sophie D. A score of 104 was always too many especially as Charlotte took 3 wickets in an over, there were also wickets for Millie T, Lola T, Lily B and Harriett P in a 50 run win.

In the final Vs Cathedral School, Taunton batted first against a very good bowling team, but real character was shown as despite losing wickets regularly Taunton managed to make a very reasonable 81 as Lola T top scored. The teams bowling was very tight with Lily B and Charlotte W doing excellently in the first 3 overs. The Cathedral School fought back as the game ebbed and flowed leaving 7 needed off the last over. Harriett P did so well to get the game to the last ball but unfortunately they scored a two of the last ball and a painful defeat occurred.

The overall journey has been amazing and the way the girls have conducted themselves, being humble in victory and embracing a real squad mentality is great credit to them and they did not get what they deserved. Thank to Mr Trescothick and Miss Vickery for their efforts and support on the journey, roll on next year!