BUDDING batters and bowlers from Bradley Primary School triumphed at the Lancashire County Final of the ASDA Girls Kwik Cricket Tournament.
Some 23 teams from all parts of the county converged on Unsworth Cricket Club for the competition but it was Bradley’s superstars who came out on top after beating St Christopher’s , from Liverpool, by 245 to 234. They now go through to the regional finals.
“Both boys and girls are cricket mad at our school,” said one of Bradley Primary’s cricket coaches, Sue Ardron. “They start playing in the streets and as soon as they get into Key Stage 2 they are desperate to get into the team. To do so is seen as a privilege.
“So cricket plays a major part in the PE programme at the school, it’s our top sport, and as teachers, it’s our job to mould the pupils’ cricket and get their talents recognised. The boys have won the county championships twice and we’ve reached Finals’ Day about four times with both girls and boys.
“It’s also wonderful to see Lancashire’s lady cricketers like Kate Cross and Jenny Laycock here. It’s fabulous because it shows our pupils that girls are good enough to get through to that level. It shows them what they can aim for.”
Coach Richard Bedford added: “We do after-school clubs for both girls and boys and then we hope to get the better players down to clubs like Nelson.
“But it’s always been good to come to LCB on days like this. It’s very worthwhile and it gives our players something to aspire to.”