THE Mote's Under-15 girls cricket team from Maidstone have been crowned champions of England and Wales after success in this month's National Championship finals held at Loughborough University.

As South East regional champions, The Mote side outplayed Mid-Glamorgan represnting Wales, Midlands' champions Lullington from Derbyshire and Gilmorton representing the north, to win all three games by a substantial margin.

The county town club scored runs quickly, took wickets regularly and fielded at a much higher level than the other teams – testament to their talent and the coaching that goes into developing girls’cricket in Kent.

The squad comprised Emily Beeney (captain, Maidstone), Laura Thompson (Maidstone), Clare Flitton (Tonbridge), Hannah Jeffery (Borough Green), Caroline Mitchell (Herne Bay), Hannah Jelfs (Chatham), Miriam Dunk (Sittingbourne), Emma Plush (Chatham) and Jenny Friend (Aylesford). They were presented with the ECB Lady Taverners Cup.