Ilkley's maidens bowl their rivals over (From Ilkley Gazette)

Ilkley's maidens bowl their rivals over

12:54pm Friday 15th May 2009

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Talented girl cricketers at Ilkley Grammar School have won the English School's National Indoor championships for the second year running.

The U-15 team scooped the title at Lord’s last month recording 24 consecutive victories over a two year period and beating 14 county champions in the process.

Such is their success that they have been invited to Headingley tomorrow where they will be presented with a special commemorative trophy from the England team.

Headteacher Gillian James said: “To win the national title one year is a marvellous achievement; to do the double is hugely impressive. The girls have earned all the accolades. They're talented, they work hard and, most importantly, they support each other and have real team spirit. We’re really proud of them.”

The girls will visit the Leeds grounds tomorrow where they will receive expert coaching tips from the professionals.

This season’s campaign began at the Richard Dunn Centre in Bradford where IGS overcame Prince Henry’s of Otley to qualify for the county finals at Headingly.

There they produced impressive performances against Sheffield, Harrogate, Leeds and Wakefield to progress to the next phase of the prestigious competition organised by the Lady Taverners and the England and Wales Cricket Board.

In the North of England regional finals, at Headingley, representatives from Durham, Lancashire, Cheshire and Northumberland were no match for Ilkley.

The national finals involved a round-robin league of five teams. In their first match, Ilkley batted first against Worcestershire and their 72 all out seemed under par. However, they bowled the Midlands’ representatives out for 62. Sussex’s 47-2 didn't threaten the holders’ 66-7 and Gloucestershire’'s 51-6 was similarly dismissed as the Yorkshire and England champions cruised to 73-5 in reply.

Having recorded 23 consecutive victories in two seasons, Ilkley had just one more obstacle to overcome in the form of Welsh champions, Cardiff.

Batting first in front of a full crowd, Ilkley put on an outstanding display of batting technique and running between the wickets to score a formidable 97-2, the highest of the day.

Cardiff had no answer to the holders’ accurate bowling and intelligent fielding and were restricted to 39-7.

Ilkley won by 58 runs and the delighted players were presented with the precious silverware for an unprecedented second time.

The triumphant Ilkley GS squad, who all demonstrated excellent cricket skills, athleticism and tactical awareness throughout, was: Florence Haines (Capt), Hannah Screeton, Chloe Dinsdale, Ellie Taylor, Brittany Tate, Ruby Parker, Olivia Herbert, Lauren Oxtoby and Laura Scarlett.

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