Kent Under 13 clinch national title

Charlotte Edwards presents Kent with their medals © Bipin Patel

Kent Under 13 Girls cricket team have been crowned ECB national county league champions after beating Leicestershire in the final.

The inaugural competition for Under 13s went down to the wire before Kent clinched an eight-run victory.

The final, which was due to be played a week earlier at the ECB National Academy in Loughborough but was postponed due to rain, was held at Knebworth Park Cricket Club.

The Hertfordshire cricket club is overlooked by Knebworth House, one of England's most beloved stately homes, and famous worldwide for its rock concerts.

Kent, who are sponsored by SeaFrance and supported by Sportsmatch, won the toss and elected to bat first in overcast conditions on a seaming pitch. They made a steady start, with captain Jennifer Hamer and Deanna Cooper putting on 41, before Grace Lovegrove added useful runs.

At the halfway stage Kent had made slow progress to reach 51 for one from 15 overs but the middle order upped the tempo and helped Kent post 126 for eight.

Dee Tress celebrates one of her five wickets

In reply, Leicestershire raced to 40 for one from six overs but Dee Tress came into the attack and immediately tore through the middle order, taking 5-18 in six overs.

Leicestershire managed to edge towards the required total but Kent, who beat Essex by one run in the semi-final, held their nerve in the closing stages.

Kent Under 13 manager David Hamer said: "We bowled 49 wides - if only we could bowl straight. I have no nails left. Fortunately we also bowled a few good balls and I am glad I have a strong heart!

"I am so pleased for the girls. They have all worked hard and everyone has made a contribution. Having won the ECB league, played at Hambledon, the cradle of English cricket, and at Lord's, the home of cricket, winning the final is a great end to a fantastic season.

“The girls will never forget this season and it's all thoroughly deserved."

Charlotte Edwards, England Women's captain for this winter’s tour to Sri Lanka and India, was on hand to present the medals to the two teams.

She said: "As Kent senior captain I was naturally hoping the Kent girls would win and I am pleased they did. But more importantly, it was good for me as an England player to see how much young talent we have got coming through in the game in the country as a whole.

“I really enjoyed the day watching a high standard of play and an exciting finish. It looks a very bright future for England women's cricket."