AN all girls team has graced the turf of Ulverston Cricket Club for the very first time. Coined the Ulverston Rockets, the girls recently played their first two matches, to the delight of junior co-ordinator Owain Oxenham.

The coach said: "Our girls started part way through last summer and during the winter but I wasn’t able to find them any girls teams to play against until this summer.

“The girls themselves chose the name Ulverston Rockets. Most of them came out of the youngest cricket format called All Stars which is an England and Wales Cricket Board initiative that has been going for four years now.

“It’s taken several years but finally our girls team Ulverston Rockets played their first ever match against some new players from Furness CC.

“I believe this is the first ever all girls team in Ulverston Cricket Clubs 171 year history.

“We played two matches and lost by 22 and then 17 runs. We improved significantly in the second game.

"The girls played really well against a talented mixed team who bowled especially well.

“All our girls Izzy, Daisy, Erin, Matilda, Sophie, Tess and Ruby got runs with Sophie taking a great catch.

“The biggest thanks goes to both sets of players for such enthusiasm and to all the families watched who clapped and cheered both teams.”

The girls are set to play an away game on Friday, against a girls team at Burneside CC. The talented rockets practice every Thursday from 4.30pm to 6pm at the Priory Road ground.

New players are always welcome to join the team - and no equipment is needed. The Ulverston Cricket Club ladies team - the Ulverston Comets - practise every Thursday from 6.30pm to 8pm.

The team shirts were kindly paid for by a grant from Ulverston Town Council and the CGP Books fund.

Andi Drage, parent of an Ulverston Rockets player has praised the setting up of the girls side. She added: “My daughter plays in the team and I feel it is so important that she sees positivity shown towards women in sport, develops both mental and physical strength and sees this as normal.

“It’s all about developing healthy habits for life but also that girls can and should take part in any sports they like.

"Strong girls do rule! Participation in sport needs to be widely encouraged for all but especially females.”