All girl power bowls them over (From Western Telegraph)

All girl power bowls them over

7:00pm Saturday 9th June 2012 in Sport

Almost 200 girls took to the crease for a schools cricket competition.

Pupils from 18 schools from across the County entered teams for the fourth Pembrokeshire Primary Schools Girls Kwik Cricket Finals.

Organised by Sport Pembrokeshire, the competition was held on National Cricket Day, May 22nd.

The young team from Mary Immaculate RC School in Haverfordwest scored the most runs on the day, beating fellow group winners Narberth and Tavernspite.

All three teams will now go on to represent Pembrokeshire at the South Wales Finals Day at the Swalec Stadium in Cardiff on Monday, July 2nd.

Designed to encourage participation in the sport among primary pupils, Kwik cricket is a game suited for all abilities – boys and girls.

Players use an orange soft ball and plastic equipment and can play on any flat surface inside or out.

“Since its inception in 1988 Kwik cricket has taken off in a big way and is a terrific way to introduce youngsters to the sport,” said Councillor Elwyn Morse, cabinet member with responsibility for sport.

“Though there is a competitive edge, the emphasis is very much on taking part and enjoyment.”

Sport Pembrokeshire cricket development officer Matt Freeman said it was wonderful to see more and more girls taking up cricket with an increase in teams attending the festival every year.

“The new Under 11 Girls League in Pembrokeshire – the first in Wales – will enable girls to continue playing cricket locally within the county’s strong club structure and hopefully also enable them to progress into the girls’ regional squad, which was set up two years ago.”

Schools taking part in the Kwik Cricket finals were: Brynconin, Mary Immaculate, Haverfordwest VC, Milford Juniors, Broad Haven, St Francis, Tavernspite, Neyland, Stackpole, Narberth, Bro Dewi, Hubberston, Sageston, Pembroke Dock, Tenby Juniors, Fenton, St Teilo’s and Maenclochog.

Hosted by Haverfordwest Cricket Club, the competition was part funded by Valero, whose representative presented the trophy to the winning team.