Over 100 players, parents and guests attended the 2017 Women’s and Girls Presentation Night that took place in the Long Room at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton on Friday.
Among the guests in attendance were Somerset Chief Executive Lee Cooper, Trevor Griffin, Head Coach of the Kia Super League winning team Western Storm, and Richard Brice the MD of Somerset County Sports one of the main sponsors of female cricket in the county.
Somerset Cricket Development Manager Andy Fairbairn welcomed everyone at the start of the evening, saying what a hugely successful summer it had been for women’s cricket with England winning the World Cup, Somerset gaining promotion back to the top division of the one day competition and Western Storm lifting the Kia Super League title for the first time.
Everyone present then enjoyed a pie and mash supper that was very much enjoyed by all.
Following food Sophie Luff, the captain of the successful Somerset Women’s team and a member of the winning Western Storm side was interviewed about the past season and her career so far, before giving advice to those young players who wanted to try and follow in her footsteps.
Trevor Griffin Head Coach of Western Storm then talked with Andy Fairbairn about the hugely successful 2017 season and mentioned some of the changes that were going to be made for next summer.
An audio-visual presentation for each of the age group teams followed, supported by a commentary from the team coaches at the end each awards were made.
The Under 13 Girls batting award went to India Owen who hit 225 runs during the season, including tw0 50s.
The bowling award went to Lola Harris who claimed 14 wickets including 5 for 18 against Hampshire.
The Under 15 Girls bowling award went to Neve Kennedy who took 18 wickets at an average of 6.5.
The batting award went to Tilly Scull who ended with a batting average of over 30.
The Under 17 Girls bowling award went to Jodie Filer who claimed 12 wickets at an average of 16.67 during the campaign.
The batting award went to Olivia Hamilton who hit 382 runs in the season, with a best of 84 and ended with an average of 63.67.
In addition to the above Somerset had during 2017 introduced age group sides at Under 12 and Under 19 level and next season it was hoped that these would develop.
The Somerset Women’s bowling award went to Nichole Richards who claimed 15 wickets including 5 for 22.
The batting award and the Players Player of the year award went to Sophie Luff who hit 629 runs in 12 innings for the team during 2017.
The evening concluded with a raffle that raised in excess of £300 towards the forthcoming Girls Under 17 tour to Sri Lanka.
The whole evening was a huge success and enjoyed by all who attended so congratulations to all concerned in the planning and presentation of the event which is the biggest and best so far.
