Highgate Cricket Club’s Under-15 Girls were crowned champions of the Girls U15 Southern Counties competition after a successful Finals Day at the Old Wimbledonians Sports Grounds.
The girls won the competition after two excellent wins over Bexley Cricket Club and Hailsham Cricket.
Highgate represented the Sunrisers region at the finals having defeated Billericay Cricket Club of Essex a week prior by 104 runs after bowling their visitors out for 34 in just 8.1 overs at Shepherd’s Cot.
Highgate vs Bexley CC
In the opening game of the day, Bexley won the toss and batted first.
They were 49/3 at the halfway stage, largely thanks to captain and opening batter, Reese Nash, who top-scored with 29. Two wickets for Zahra Ashraf and a run out by Anaya Patel , ensured that Highgate restricted the scoring.
Anaya Patel then shone with the ball herself, backing up the hard work done by her team mates earlier, by taking three wickets – including the final one that helped dismiss Bexley for 75 in 11 overs.
Dia Nair top-scored in the Highgate chase with an unbeaten 32 and had support from Annabelle Holmes, who finished 27 not out, as Highgate won by five wickets. Michelle Pinto and Devon O’Carroll also took wickets for Bexley.
Highgate vs Hailsham CC
In the second match of the day, Highgate were asked to bat first by Hailsham Cricket Club.
Highgate were 61/5 in their innings as Mollie Crosbie and Ellie Shaw made inroads for Hailsham. However, Anaya Patel and Hafeeza Mangal put on 54 together before the side were bowled out for 90 as regular wickets continued to fall.
After picking up three wickets in the first match, Patel claimed and extra four scalps wreaking havoc as Hailsham limped to 38/6 at the halfway stage.
Mangal and Ashraf finished off the job to help Highgate seal victory as Hailsham could only muster 48 before they were all out in 10.1 overs.
Ealing Under-13s reach Southern Counties Finals Day
Ealing Cricket Club were also representing Sunrisers, but in the Under 13 age group.
They came second in their finals, having defeated Bexley before losing out to Horsham in the second game of their Finals Day.
Nishka Patel’s three wickets in Ealing’s win over Bexley was a performance of note at Old Wimbledonians Sports Grounds.
Their route to the finals came courtesy of a win over Coggeshall Town Cricket Club at Hackney Marshes in early August.
Congratulations to Highgate and Ealing Cricket Clubs from everyone at Middlesex.
